Despite AEW making the match official, MJF has rejected the chance to face Hiroshi Tanahashi at Forbidden Door.
After Wardlow defeated Jake Hager to defend his TNT Championship, Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared in a video on screen, challenging MJF to a match at Forbidden Door 2023.
He spoke about narrowly losing to Jon Moxley last year for the AEW Championship, and claimed that as long as MJF remained AEW Champion, “the belt won’t shine like it should”.
Immediately following this, Renee Paquette interviewed a bruised MJF in the trainer’s room, asking him about the match being made official by Tony Khan.
MJF categorically rejected the opportunity to wrestle Tanahashi at Forbidden Door, calling him “some rando from some rinky-dink indie fed from Japan”.
He also referenced the situation last year when he missed a signing prior to Double or Nothing, claiming it “wouldn’t be the first time” if he didn’t turn up to Forbidden Door.
Imma say no to that one actually. I don’t feel like giving a world title shot to some rando from some rinky-dink indie fed from Japan.
As far as Tony Khan booking me fora match up – it wouldn’t be the first time I no showed somebody booked me for.
Tanahashi [thumbs down and blows raspberry], sorry, no can do bud!
Despite the rejection, MJF vs Hiroshi Tanahashi has been confirmed for Forbidden Door 2023.
Hamish is a writer and podcaster and wrestling fan who is a key part of the Atletifo team.
After playing countless hours of WrestleMania X8 on the Gamecube, he discovered Rey Mysterio getting his head crushed by The Great Khali, and thus a love for professional wrestling was born.
He is also a Media Graduate, as well as writing for multiple sites about Premier League football and the culture of Wales – his home country.
