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#3 Daniel Bryan vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (NJPW)
If Daniel Bryan wants to face the biggest stars in Japan, the list has to start with Hiroshi Tanahashi. As one of the greatest NJPW stars of all time, the Ace has proven to still be at the top of his game at 44 years old. He just put on another Match of the Year candidate at NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam against Shingo Takagi despite not being advertised for the contest until the same day.
Tanahashi is a master of match layout, psychology and selling. The way that he crafts his big-time matches has always made him the most reliable main eventer to ever step foot in a NJPW ring. Daniel Bryan is someone who also has similar traits. Their mutual technical wrestling ability would put on an epic encounter that will be remembered for years to come.
Daniel Bryan has always expressed his desire to be in a Tokyo Dome main event. That huge stage would provide plenty of motivation to produce an all-time classic. The American Dragon would be hard-pressed to find a better dance partner than Tanahashi. The Ace of the Universe has delivered time and time again on the biggest shows in NJPW history against Kazuchika Okada and Minoru Suzuki.
Both men are among the best babyfaces of this century, but Daniel Bryan has also shown that he can be equally effective as a heel. His work as "The Planet's Champion" has to be included in the conversation for the best heel world champions of the past decade. Bryan put on tremendous matches, stellar promos and top notch character work.
With Tanahashi as the babyface and Bryan as the heel, this would make for a showdown for the ages. The storytelling and drama would be on another level and unlike anything seen before. If it takes place inside the Tokyo Dome, the bout would have the better atmosphere for a once in a lifetime battle.
