Have you ever realized that Hiroshi Tanahashi faced off against AJ Styles during his time in TNA?
TNA, or Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, has been a significant part of professional wrestling history. Manolo Has Pizzazz, a seasoned commentator with over a decade of experience covering the sport at Cageside Seats, has shared countless insights from his years of watching the wrestling world unfold.
This Sunday marks a poignant moment as one of wrestling's icons, Hiroshi Tanahashi, bids farewell to the ring. He will compete in his final match at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's highly anticipated Wrestle Kingdom 20, taking place on January 4 at the iconic Tokyo Dome. In a fitting tribute to his impactful career, TNA is celebrating Tanahashi by showcasing a compilation of all his matches that took place in their Impact Zone. One notable match you might find intriguing is Tanahashi's debut in TNA, where he squared off against none other than AJ Styles.
In their encounter at TNA's Final Resolution in 2006, Tanahashi, who was then the IWGP U-30 openweight champion, demonstrated his skills early on. He executed a stunning dragon sleeper followed by a giant swing into an impressive elbow drop. However, AJ Styles wasn't just going to stand idly by; he made a comeback with a spectacular springboard flying forearm. Ultimately, the match concluded amidst some chaotic interference. Shannon Moore made a surprise attack on Styles, but in a twist of fate, he inadvertently struck Tanahashi with a foreign object. Although Styles managed to dodge the worst of Moore's plan, the damage had already been inflicted. Styles sealed his victory with his signature move, the Styles Clash. This match serves as a nostalgic reminder of the incredible potential that both wrestlers displayed in the ring during their ten-minute showcase.
Over the years, Tanahashi and Styles would meet multiple times in NJPW rings. In 2014, Tanahashi secured the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Styles. Interestingly, the only singles win Styles notched against Tanahashi after their TNA bout occurred in 2015 when he reclaimed the IWGP heavyweight title. However, Tanahashi got the last word in their rivalry later that year by defeating Styles in a thrilling G1 Climax bout.
Fans will be pleased to know that TNA's compilation includes an extensive list of Tanahashi's televised matches, featuring several recognizable names:
- Tanahashi vs. AJ Styles (Final Resolution - Jan. 15, 2006)
- Tanahashi vs. Roderick Strong (Xplosion - Jan. 17, 2006)
- Tanahashi & Volador Jr. vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Impact taping - Oct. 27, 2008)
- Tanahashi & Volador Jr. vs. Abyss & Matt Morgan vs. Team 3D vs. LAX in a ladder match (Impact taping - Oct. 28, 2008)
- A star-studded X-Division Elimination Match featuring Tanahashi, Eric Young, Consequences Creed (aka Xavier Woods), Doug Williams, Homicide, Jay Lethal, Jimmy Rave, Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt, and Volador Jr. (Turning Point - Nov. 9, 2008)
- Tanahashi & Sonjay Dutt vs. Lethal Consequences (Impact taping - Nov. 11, 2008)
- Tanahashi vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey (Multiverse United - Mar. 30, 2023)
- Tanahashi vs. Alex Shelley (Multiverse United 2 - Aug. 20, 2023)
Additionally, TNA has curated a photo gallery showcasing memorable moments of Tanahashi throughout his tenure in the Impact Zone, which can be explored here.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! What are your favorite memories of Hiroshi Tanahashi during his time in TNA? Were there matches that stood out to you? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!
