Karl Anderson Won’t Defend NEVER Openweight Title At NJPW Battle Autumn

The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) say they “ain’t comin'” to New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Battle Autumn event on November 5.

Anderson, the reigning NEVER Openweight Champion, is scheduled to defend the title against Hikuleo at the event. After the Good Brothers returned to WWE on the October 10 episode of WWE RAW, NJPW still advertised Anderson for Battle Autumn. On the October 17 episode of WWE RAW, AJ Styles, Gallows and Anderson agreed to face The Judgment Day at WWE Crown Jewel, which will be held on the same day as the Battle Autumn show on November 5.

The Good Brothers commented on the situation in a video Anderson shared on social media. Gallows stated that Anderson is double-booked, so they’re not coming to Battle Autumn.

“New Japan Pro Wrestling, a few questions,” Gallows said. “One, are we the OG Bullet Club? Yes. Are we the world famous Good Brothers? Yes. Are we repping O.C. on WWE Monday Night RAW? Yes. Do all bookings still go through the Big L.G.? When it comes to bright lights, when it comes to the Good Brothers, yes they do. You guys announced ‘Bright Lights’ ‘The Machine Gun’ Karl Anderson for a match November 5. Guess what? We’re a little double booked because you didn’t run it through me. So he ain’t coming. We’re not coming unless it’s on our time.

Likewise, Anderson stated that he’ll defend the title on his time, and he’ll tell NJPW when that will be.

“[Beeped out] at Gmail.com. That’s the shoot email, that’s my booking agency,” Anderson said. “New Japan Pro-Wrestling, I love what you’ve done for the Good Brothers through these years. But let me tell you something, I am the greatest NEVER Openweight Champion of all time. I only work when the lights are bright, and November 5, we ain’t coming. We’ll come on our time. ‘Machine Gun’ will tell you when I’m coming to defend my championship.”

Anderson won the title by defeating Tama Tonga at NJPW Dominion in June.

As of this writing, NJPW has not officially commented on Anderson’s status for the Battle Autumn event on November 5.

WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.

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