New Japan Pro Wrestling President and competitor Hiroshi Tanahashi made a surprise appearance on Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision.
Earlier in the day, Tony Khan announced a trios match. Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, and an unnamed wrestler would face Lance Archer & The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch).
Tanahashi got a rousing response from the Las Vegas crowd as he made his way to the ring as the mystery competitor.
The forbidden door has been opened as Hiroshi Tanahashi joins Castagnoli & Garcia.
Watch #AEWCollision LIVE on TBS!@LanceHoyt | @DEATHxWALKS | @NoNamexVincent | @ClaudioCSRO | @GarciaWrestling | @tanahashi1_100 pic.twitter.com/CSVdHqDr9m
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 26, 2024
During his entrance, the commentary team made reference to it being “Forbidden Door season”.
Tanahashi got the pin on Vincent after hitting the High Fly Flow.
Later, Tony Khan posted his thanks to The Ace for appearing and for bringing him a Jushin Liger jacket.
Thank you Mr President @tanahashi1_100 for this amazing @Liger_NJPW jacket
+
thank you for flying to Vegas #AEWDoN weekend on behalf of @njpw1972 to stand up for @AEW vs the hired guns of The Elite on Saturday #AEWCollision on TBS TONIGHT!Thank you all watching AEW on TBS now! pic.twitter.com/N0WTartfeY
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 26, 2024
