Kota Ibushi and Hiroyoshi Tenzan have been pulled from multiple upcoming New Japan Pro-Wrestling shows.
The promotion announced the news on February 27 by noting that medical officials decided to delay Ibushi’s return to action, which had been scheduled for the 50th Anniversary show on Wednesday, and he has also been removed from his scheduled match in the New Japan Cup. He had been set to face Great-O-Khan in the first round, but due to his inability to compete, the latter will automatically advance to the next round.
As for Tenzan, he hasn’t been cleared to wrestle due to his knee injury, so he has also been taken out of the New Japan Cup.
Kota Ibushi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan to miss Anniversary, new Japan Cup series
Full statement, card change:https://t.co/ak0a5JsgjY#njpw pic.twitter.com/Mv43QSiLq0
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) February 28, 2022
The full announcement from NJPW’s website is as follows:
Kota Ibushi has been diligently preparing for a scheduled return on March 1 at the Nippon Budokan. However, after careful consultation with trainers, medical staff and the NJPW medical committee, and based on the results of a final medical evaluation, the difficult decision has been made to delay Ibushi’s return, and remove him from Wednesday’s Anniversary card. The following change has been made to the event.
4th match
Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Kota Ibushi vs Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare ->
Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Yuto Nakashima & Kosei Fujita vs Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare
Furthermore, after concerns around Ibushi’s condition across several potential singles matches in the New Japan Cup tournament, the decision has been made for him to withdraw. His first round match against Great-O-Khan on March 6 will be considered forfeit, and O-Khan will advance to March 12 in Aichi where he will face Taiji Ishimori.
Additionally, Hiroyoshi Tenzan is still recovering from a knee injury, and will not be taking part in the New Japan Cup. His second-round match against the winner of Taichi and Toru Yano on March 9 in Korakuen will be considered forfeit, and either Yano or Taichi will advance to the third round March 16 in Aichi.
We deeply apologize to fans who were looking forward to seeing Tenzan and Ibushi wrestle and appreciate your understanding. New Japan Pro-Wrestling joins fans in wishing the very best for both men in their recovery.
WrestleZone will provide more details as they become available.
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