Hiroshi Tanahashi Set to Wrestle Yuji Nagata One Final Time

Four months after this bout, Nagata won the IWGP Heavyweight title for the first time in his career.

Tanahashi’s First Victory: April 19, 2005

After losing their next two singles bouts in 2003 and 2004, Tanahashi finally got a win over his mentor in the inaugural New Japan Cup in 2005. Unfortunately, it came via disqualification, when an enraged Nagata would not let go of a cross armbreaker he applied during the match.

When the referee pulled him off to break the hold, Nagata kicked him and threw him out of the ring, resulting in the decision. The loss also eliminated him from the tournament in just the first round.

This match happened during the time when Nagata was experiencing a drought, even as one of NJPW’s top guys. He had previously lost the IWGP Heavyweight title two years prior, and has not gotten it back since then.

Nagata’s 2nd Reign As IWGP Heavyweight Champ: April 13, 2007

Five years after his first reign, Nagata became IWGP Heavyweight champion again in 2007 at Tanahashi’s expense. He ended Tanahashi’s maiden run with the title in the main event of Circuit 2007 New Japan Brave, which would not go unanswered, as they faced each other two more times that year.

Nagata earned the opportunity to challenge for the title after winning that year’s New Japan Cup in March, becoming the first wrestler to win a New Japan Cup and a G1 Climax.

Tanahashi’s First G1 Climax Triumph: August 12, 2007

Tanahashi’s first of three G1 Climax wins came at Nagata’s expense in the tournament’s 17th edition in 2007. This was the first part of his revenge after Nagata ended his first title reign as IWGP Heavyweight champion. Nagata also eliminated him in the semifinals of the New Japan Cup a year before, making the G1 win even sweeter.

Tanahashi Becomes IWGP Heavyweight Champ for the 2nd Time: October 8, 2007

Tanahashi defeated Nagata in the main event of NJPW Explosion ‘07 to become the IWGP Heavyweight champion once again, completing his quest for vengeance after losing the title to him in April. This also marked Tanahashi’s 2nd title reign, beating his mentor in a singles match for a second straight time in a year.

This was one of Tanahashi’s most important wins, as it happened during the first years of his ascendancy as NJPW’s top guy. This match would be their last one in a long while, as their next singles bout came in 2011.

These two crucial figures in NJPW’s history battle one last time in a main event match this Sunday. The show will be streamed live on NJPW World with English commentary at 4 p.m. JST/3 a.m. ET, and you can find its full card here.