New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that both Wrestle Grand Slam shows in Yokohama and Tokyo will be postponed. The news was expected as the Japanese government extended the recent State of Emergency to try and curb rising cases of COVID-19, and two NJPW wrestlers recently tested positive for the disease.
Wrestle Grand Slam in Yokohama Stadium was supposed to take place on May 15th, and Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome was supposed to take place on May 29th. Both events were scheduled to be broadcast on NJPWWorld.com and FiteTV.
The originally scheduled main event for Tokyo Dome was supposed to be Will Ospreay defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Kazuchika Okada. Okada was pulled from this past week’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku due to possible exposure.
Here is the full statement from NJPW:
Tank [sic] you for your support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
On Friday May 7, the Japanese government announced an extension to the state of emergency currently in place in Tokyo and other prefectures. In light of this announcement, as well as current COVID-19 infection status, and in order to prevent any potential further spread of the virus, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to postpone the Wrestle Grand Slam events in Yokohama Stadium and the Tokyo Dome previously scheduled for May 15 and 29 respectively.
NJPW deeply apologizes to all fans looking forward to these events for the inconvenience and disappointment caused.
New dates for both events are currently being finalized. More information will follow as soon as it becomes available.
All tickets for both events will be valid. Please retain your ticket. Any ticket holder who cannot attend at the rescheduled dates will be eligible for a refund.
At present, we ask for your understanding and patience until rescheduled dates are confirmed. Keep checking back on njpw1972.com for further information on Wrestle Grand Slam as well as other events on the NJPW schedule going forward.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to postpone Wrestle Grand Slam in Yokohama Stadium and the Tokyo Dome.
New dates are currently being determined.
Statement:https://t.co/NncxJhcc9P#njpw #njwgs pic.twitter.com/zUSiRRpYXW
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) May 7, 2021
