Hiroshi Tanahashi is currently one-third of the Never Openweight Six-Man Champions, along with Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii.

A few days ago, Tanahashi laid out this challenge.

棚橋「しっかり防衛できた。そして次の挑戦者、オレはちゃんと考えてるから。IMPACT。夏休み返上して行ってきたから。IMPACTの、インパクトのある相手を。誰か（このコメントを）英語に通訳して、伝えといてくれよ」

全文https://t.co/lqMYNrymQw#njdest pic.twitter.com/CVNmoal2tt

— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) September 9, 2023

Tanahashi: “I was able to defend well. And I am thinking about my next challenger. IMPACT. I gave up my summer vacation to go. I want an impactful opponent for IMPACT. Someone please translate (this comment) into English. Please let me know.”

Last night, New Japan Pro Wrestling took to their social media Twitter account to make the match official.

A huge addition to Destruction in Ryogoku October 9!

After a request from Hiroshi Tanahashi, IMPACT's Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and Josh Alexander challenge for the NEVER Openweight 6 Man Championships!https://t.co/0xelSXfDxB#njpw #njdest pic.twitter.com/WBcxa3U770

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) September 13, 2023

IMPACT Wrestling hypes the match.

A big announcement from @njpwglobal as @AlexShelley313, @SuperChrisSabin and @Walking_Weapon are headed to Japan for Destruction in Ryogoku on October 9 to challenge @tanahashi1_100, @rainmakerXokada and Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight 6 Man Championships! pic.twitter.com/Q7DNBEytiQ

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 13, 2023

Alex Shelley defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IMPACT World Title in another successful defense at the co-branded IMPACTxNJPW Multiverse United event.

This will be Josh Alexander’s first trip to Japan ever, Alex Shelley hasn’t been there since 2016, while Chris Sabin was last there in 2018.

This should be a great match.

IMPACT is also sending Mike Bailey and Lio Rush for a shot at Hiomu Takahashis Jr Heavyweight Title on the same night. Read about that here.

Head over to shopimpact.com for your official IMPACT Wrestling merchandise.

Does Alex Shelley think he can win the @IMPACTWRESTLING World Championship at Against All Odds? pic.twitter.com/5a6N5c3TuL

— ShopIMPACT.com (@shopimpactdeals) June 3, 2023

The "I Am Chris Sabin" t-shirt is available NOW at @shopimpactdeals! @SuperChrisSabin

Get it HERE: https://t.co/qDrZA4nYj1 pic.twitter.com/vdGhSgddSz

— ShopIMPACT.com (@shopimpactdeals) November 21, 2021

The @Walking_Weapon Walking Weapon Skull T-Shirt is AVAILABLE NOW on https://t.co/m7Utfvq5wA!

Here: https://t.co/mH7mdqdTlR#IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/4vzGob5arz

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) August 4, 2023

Make sure you watch all the stars of IMPACT WRESTLING EVERY Thursday!

Catch NJPW every Thursday on AXSTV immediately following IMPACT.

-IMPACT Plus App
-AXSTV in USA
-Fight Network in CANADA

-DAZN for international fans sign up here (includes BTI pre-show, weekly IMPACTonAXSTV episode, LIVE monthly specials, 4 flagship PPVs, + footage from the library)

-Become a YouTube Insider HERE and subscribe.

• Insider is $1.49/month. (includes weekly show)
• Ultimate Insider is $6.99/month. (includes weekly show w/ live chat, exclusive series, live monthly specials, and old content)

#IMPACTonAXSTV

Follow Gerard at @BearDown316 on Twitter

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