“Go Ace” Hiroshi Tanahashi, who last competed in the U.S. at Windy City Riot this April, is preparing for his next significant challenge as part of his farewell tour in the UK. On Sunday, August 24th, at the O2 Arena, Tanahashi will make his final AEW Forbidden Door appearance, but the identity of his last opponent is still a matter of speculation.
According to the Wrestling Observer newsletter, Tanahashi seems unlikely to face former AEW international star and current openweight champion Konosuke Takeshita again, despite Takeshita’s impressive performance at Windy City Riot. Instead, possibilities include matches with Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, or Kyle O’Reilly, especially after Tanahashi’s recent loss to the Don Charis family (Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander, Townsita). It is reasonable to believe Tanahashi aims to settle unfinished business with the Charis family before concluding this chapter of his career. His opponent at Windy City Riot, Takeshita, delivered a standout main event performance in Chicago.
Tanahashi announced his “final path” journey last October, which will culminate on January 4th, 2026. Known as the “Talent of the First Century,” Tanahashi joins WWE’s John Cena as iconic stars making their final runs this year, both having remarkable careers spanning over two decades—26 years for Tanahashi and 25 for Cena.
Fan Take: This announcement holds great significance for AEW fans as Tanahashi’s farewell tour highlights the convergence of top talent from NJPW and AEW, providing dream matchups and emotional moments. His final UK match could serve as a historic milestone, emphasizing the sport’s evolving global appeal and the deep connections between wrestling promotions.
