Hiroshi Tanahashi To Replace Kota Ibushi In Wrestle Grand Slam Main Event

NJPW has officially announced that Hiroshi Tanahashi will be replacing Kota Ibushi in the main event at Wrestle Grand Slam.

Tanahashi will now face Shingo Takagi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

As noted, Ibushi has been diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. Due to his illness, he had to miss the Summer Struggle 2021 tour.

Below is NJPW's full announcement:

As previously reported, Kota Ibushi has been diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, and as a result has missed the Summer Struggle tour. After careful monitoring of his recovery, Ibushi is unfortunately unable to compete at Wrestle Grand Slam where he was scheduled to face Shingo Takagi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Ibushi wrestle. We appreciate your understanding, and hope you join us in wishing Ibushi the best in his recovery.

In a change to the main event of Wrestle grand Slam, Hiroshi Tanahashi will face Shingo Takagi in the main event. Saturday in Nagoya, Tanahashi defeated KENTA before stating he was ready to take the main event spot if it was open. Tanahashi defeated Takagi on January 30 at New Beginning in Nagoya to win the NEVER Openweight Championship, and has main evented in the Tokyo Dome more than any other wrestler in history, preparing now for his 11th headline match in the building.

Wrestle Grand Slam kicks off at 4PM JST with the KOPW 2021 New Japan Ranbo with Handcuffs, before the main card begins at 5PM.

NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam starts early Sunday morning at 3 am ET/12 am PT from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Don't forget to join Wrestling Inc. for complete live coverage of the show.