AEW wrestler challenges Hiroshi Tanahashi for Wrestle Dynasty

Katsuyori Shibata is wrestling at Wrestle Dynasty.

In a surprise appearance on Saturday, Shibata ran in for the save after EVIL and the rest of House of Torture attacked Hiroshi Tanahashi following their match. Shibata ran them off and helped Tanahashi to his feet. He asked for a match tomorrow at Wrestle Dynasty. Tanahashi accepted, setting up the bout.

Shibata has not wrestled for NJPW in exactly three years. His last match for the company was at Wrestle Kingdom 16, when he defeated Ren Narita in a singles match. The following year, he signed with AEW where he has been a regular since, previously holding the ROH Pure Championship.

Tanahashi wrestled EVIL in a lumberjack match on Saturday. Despite interference from the rest of House of Torture, Tanahashi managed to pick up the win by cradling EVIL as he was looking for a pin after hitting Tanahashi with his finishing move twice.

Here is the updated lineup for Wrestle Dynasty:

• Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
• Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
• Shota Umino vs. Claudio Castagnoli
• David Finlay vs. Brody King
• Yota Tsuji vs. Jack Perry
• NEVER Championship: Either Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita defends against Tomohiro Ishii. Will be a double title match if Takeshita remains AEW International Champion on January 4
• Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata
• IWGP Tag Team titles: Great-O-Khan & a mystery partner vs. The Young Bucks
• NJPW Strong Women’s & RPW Undisputed Women’s British double title match: Mercedes Mone vs. Mina Shirakawa
• Lucha gauntlet match featuring CMLL and NJPW talent
• Kickoff match for ROH Tag Team titles: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara defend against Yoshinobu Kanemaru & SHO
• Kickoff match for the Women’s International Cup: Persephone (CMLL) Vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom) vs. Willow Nightingale (NJPW) vs. Athena (ROH)

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