Hiroshi Tanahashi Set To Replace Kota Ibushi In The Main Event Of NJPW's Wrestle Grand Slam

A massive announcement was recently made by NJPW that the main event of their Wrestle Grand Slam show will see Hiroshi Tanahashi replace Kota Ibushi to battle Shingo Takagi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title as it was previously reported that Ibushi has been diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia and will now miss NJPW's Summer Struggle 2021 tour.

NJPW's Wrestle Grand Slam is set to take place later on today from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

You can check out NJPW's full announcement below:

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 apologize 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.