Hiroshi Tanahashi has the opportunity to become the new IMPACT World Champion later on today.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling and IMPACT Wrestling are set to collide at Multiverse United 2, where Hiroshi Tanahashi says he’s looking to take home the IMPACT World Championship, which he says will open a lot of doors for him.
Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated ahead of the pay-per-view, Tanahashi said that even though he’s a veteran in the world of NJPW, his aim is to keep getting better. Beating Alex Shelley for the title would allow him to not only do more but be a big boost for other NJPW stars.
“I’ve become a veteran wrestler in New Japan, but I still want to keep getting better,” Tanahashi said through a translator. “As a New Japan wrestler, if I have the Impact title around my waist, it will open up a lot of doors for myself and show a lot of new avenues for NJPW wrestlers to follow.”
Hiroshi Tanahashi Aims To Win The IMPACT World Title
The main event match will see two of each company’s biggest stars go at it, but Tanahashi has nothing but respect for reigning IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley.
“Alex Shelley and I are good friends,” said Tanahashi. “We’ve known each other for a long time. When I first went to TNA for an excursion in 2005, Alex was already a star. He has a good and strong heart. I can see he takes this business very seriously. It is an honor to wrestle him. This is a great opportunity. I am fighting to become Impact world champion.”
READ MORE: Alex Shelley: Tanahashi Is The Champion’s Champion
What do you make of Hiroshi Tanahashi’s comments? Do you think he’ll defeat Alex Shelley for the IMPACT World Title today? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
