Hiroshi Tanahashi Appears On AEW Dynamite, Challenges Lance Archer
The New Japan Pro Wrestling legend will now challenge for the IWGP United States Championship.
Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared on last night's AEW Dynamite, challenging the winner of Lance Archer vs. Hikuleo to an IWGP United States Title match.
The New Japan Pro Wrestling legend was featured in a short pre-taped promo. He stated that he was interested in holding a United States Championship, having never done so in his career, and would be looking to face Archer or Hikuleo. He then signed off.
Archer beat Hikuleo in a short match later in the evening, pinning the giant after hitting the Blackout. This was Lance's first IWGP US Title defence since taking the strap from Jon Moxley last week.
This means Tanahashi vs. Archer is now set. It won't be going down on an AEW show, however. Instead. NJPW has announced the clash for its upcoming Resurgence show, which takes place in Los Angeles on 14 August.
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic's myriad travel restrictions, Tanahashi has not wrestled in the United States since February 2020. He has gone one-on-one with Archer thrice in his career, outdoing him in G1 Climax bouts in 2011, 2013, and 2019, though one would imagine the odds will swing in the opposite direction this time.