NJPW President Tanahashi has been officially confirmed to appear at AEW Forbidden Door, where he will compete in his final match on UK soil. With his retirement match set for Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026, Tanahashi is currently working through his “Last Time Ever” list of matches before retiring from the ring.
Following his recent involvement at AEW Double Or Nothing, Tanahashi’s presence at the AEW and NJPW crossover event Forbidden Door has been confirmed. NJPW announced that this event will mark his last wrestling appearance in the UK. During AEW Double Or Nothing, Tanahashi made a surprise appearance, leading to intense tag matches and confrontations that highlighted his significance in the storyline.
Tanahashi, who first introduced the term “forbidden door,” originally opened this concept during his Wrestle Kingdom 14 match against Chris Jericho, symbolizing cross-promotional collaboration in wrestling. The upcoming match on August 24th at London’s O2 Arena will be a historic moment as Tanahashi steps into the ring for his final UK match.
This announcement not only adds a monumental highlight to AEW Forbidden Door but also continues to build the legacy of one of wrestling’s greatest icons.
Fan Take: Tanahashi’s final UK match at AEW Forbidden Door is a thrilling milestone for AEW fans, showcasing the ongoing synergy between AEW and NJPW. This event could elevate AEW’s global prestige and create unforgettable moments that push the boundaries of professional wrestling.
