While it isn’t on the horizon and its prospects are tied to the resolution of the currently opaque relationship between Punk/AEW, I hope one day we get the original Forbidden Door main event: Hiroshi Tanahashi v. CM Punk.

27 comments

1. Unfortunately this is probably never going to happen, so I wouldn’t hold your breath on this one. Personally I don’t think Punk’s in-ring storytelling was that compelling since his return and it was more his mic work that was the appeal, so I don’t really see this being an amazing match considering where these wrestlers are in their careers.

2. Punk Tana goes back further imo.

   In 2011 when the pipebomb happened and Punk said he’d go to njpw, Tana was in the middle what would be his V11 reign. If Punk had actually gone we could’ve had a double match.

3. I think he will wrestle in NJPW before WWE. Tony Khan will sign off on it. I think it would be an olive branch on Tony’s part, wether or not punk gives a shit. NJPW would definitely ask Tony if he’s cool with it and I think NJPW would tell punk their relationship comes first as NJPW are extremely loyal, see CMLL. Maybe it’s a way for Tony to talk to punk directly and say look, I know you wanted to do the G1 and wrestle kingdom, and even though it didn’t work out between us, maybe this keeps the door open for a return after some time. I doubt the last part as punk basically stopped talking to his own brother 20+ years ago for stealing money from his backyard wrestling show lol.

4. I’d love to have this match in 2012.

5. Tanahashi would kill Punk…by accident. Punk would try and take a high fly flow and his ribs would probably cave in.

6. I’m much more interested in getting Danielson/ZSJ

7. I have 0 interest in seeing CM Punk in NJPW at this point. I’d be more excited to see Marafuji or Masato Tanaka come back. CM Punk vs Tana seemed like a great idea before all of the drama. I really don’t care for him in general though. He’s too soft for NJPW.

8. Maybe he’ll do it in Japan one day

9. Will respectfully disagree. Zero desire to see this. CM Punk has burned every bridge, gone back, poured lighter fluid and burned them again. At his peak, he couldn’t put on a 20 minute match with CURRENT Tanahashi. Not saying he was a bad wrestler, but he was not, and is not, NJPW caliber. The story implications are there, but it would be a waste of time to have a once in a century talent going against a guy that’s still living off IWC cred from a decade-old promo.

   Theres 20 other people in AEW (and even more in WWE and Impact) that could and should have a match with Tanahashi before Punk. He doesn’t deserve it. You wanna see an aging superstar from the U.S go against Tana? Pick Samoa Joe.

10. I’d rather see Kenta kick the shit out of Punk in the alley of a Waffle House for 30 minutes.

11. 10-12 years ago he’ll yeah. Currently We good.
    Just play WWE 2k22 or FirePro for this match up

12. On paper yes but unfortunately CM Punk seemed so dispassionate about this match back when it was supposed to happen that I don’t know if the end result would be very special

    Mox/Tana worked so well in part because Mox was clearly passionate about it. Tana doesn’t speak great English so it’s really important his opponent be able to put him over a bit to sell the match as important to the American fans.

13. No thanks. CM Punk doesn’t deserve to wrestle Tanahashi.

14. I’d love to see this match. Punks style of wrestling would work really well with Tana. The storytelling would be great. Also, be nice to see Tana work with someone he doesn’t have to put over. He can have a great match and be the best Tanahashi he can be.

    I think Naito would be a great foil for Punk. I love when Naito is a smart ass. He’s his best then. Osprey would learn a lot from a timing perspective and how to build to an appropriate climax.

    Really glad I stayed out of all the backstage drama American fans obsess over. Wrestlers got in a backstage fight. Big deal. Sorry I am not a pawn and don’t let myself get worked up over nothing.

    I want New Japan to prosper. They have the leadership and direction to employ real men, real wrestlers and not overgrown children. I think Punk would do just fine. And if not, he’s done in the industry. He has a lot more to lose than NJPW.

    Punk is obviously a big draw. He could be a massive help for the Strong Show. They’d actually have a star they could build around. I wouldn’t put the world title on him, but he could help build the US title to what they’d want it to be. I think this would be a win-win. So many great matchups to be had. Plus, Punk really likes working with young talent that wants to learn. I don’t see a major reason not to

15. CM Punk is so overrated

16. I just need Kenta to expose this fraud at the battle of the GTS

17. As much as I want it to happen, with the AEW/punk relationship not looking so good it may never happen.

18. Punk would do really good in New Japan, I think. They don’t have the egos in the locker room like the US companies do. They show up, put on banger shows, and go home

19. Let him go…

20. CM Punk is a terrible fit for a NJPW ring. He is pretty much the antithesis of everything that New Japan stands for.

    He can’t go for more than 15 minutes without the match turning into a botchfest. His body is brittle, and he would probably be hospitalized from taking a single strong style lariat. He always thinks he is better than the place he is working at. Tanahashi, with all his injuries, is still putting classics in the ring. Punk was okay at best in AEW.

    Give me Tanahashi vs MJF any day. The ultimate babyface vs the utilmate heel. Give me Pac vs Takagi. Samoa Joe vs Ishii. Brian Danielson vs ZSJ. Daniel Garcia vs Ren Narita. There are so many other AEWxNJPW matchups I’d rather see.

21. Even if Punk comes back I don’t think were gonna get this it, ship def sailed 🙁

22. Why the fuck would you want to see CM Punk do anything at this point? All his return to wrestling did was prove that he can’t wrestle anymore but can still fuck up an entire wrestling promotion with his horse shit attitude.

23. Please no

24. I hope we don’t…

25. One of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time versus an unathletic bum, ill pass

26. AEW are done with Punk. Not to mention he’s awful in the ring at this point anyway. Nothing of value was lost. Give me Kenny v Shingo and Danielson v ZSJ instead.

27. You won’t.