5 dream matches for Hiroshi Tanahashi in AEW

#4 Andrade - AEW

I was not born in WWE,I’m ex WWE, yes! but EX CMLL EX NJPW, Now I’m the Superstar of @AEW and @luchalibreaaa What’s next? Yo no nací en WWE,trabajé con ellos que es diferente, pero si soy ex WWE, ex CMLL, ex NJPW,ex independent.Hoy Soy SUPERSTAR AEW Y AAA 👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/WDzg3WuPkF

— “EL IDOLO” ANDRADE (@AndradeElIdolo) June 10, 2021

Andrade recently debuted for AEW after his release from WWE earlier this year. His current feud with PAC looks on its way to culminating at All Out, but there is plenty more for the former NXT Champion to achieve. Before his WWE career, Andrade made his name in CMLL and NJPW, which included a clash with a certain Ace.

In 2013, Andrade, then known as La Sombra, faced Hiroshi Tanahashi. It was a very entertaining bout with The Ace getting the win. With that history in mind, this would be two completely different performers. Andrade has evolved and only gotten better since that bout eight years ago, while Tanahashi has become an all-time great since.

Ric Flair is at AAA in Andrade's corner vs Kenny Omega for the AAA Mega Championship. #TriplemaniaPorSpace pic.twitter.com/jK9y0o8CuJ

— Tru Heel Heat Wrestling (@TruHeelHeat) August 15, 2021

Andrade blends a Lucha libre arsenal with NJPW's strong style strikes in a wonderful way that makes him unique from everyone else in AEW or in the business today. Tanahashi is an absolute genius in match layout and simple psychology, making for riveting clashes regardless of his opponent.

The winner of this contest is a real toss-up. Tanahashi could get the win on his way to bigger matches with the more established AEW stars, and Andrade could avenge his loss from years ago. What's for sure is that, the exchanges will be very engaging, and the closing stretch is guaranteed to be breathtaking. This could be one of the best possible encounters for Hiroshi Tanahashi in this promotion.