Mystery solved.
On Wednesday morning, EVIL claimed that Tama Tonga had been fired by NJPW and that he was the new NEVER Openweight Champion. The Japanese and American NJPW website reflected the change, listing EVIL as the NEVER Openweight Champion.
Tama Tonga was confused.
????
— Tama Tonga (@1TamaTonga) January 10, 2024
WTF is going on? https://t.co/YcMjXpeIAB
In an update, NJPW has released footage showing EVIL threatening NJPW staff to make the changes. Fans can watch the footage in the video above.
From NJPW:
Between the hours of 8:30PM on January 10 2024 and 12 noon on January 11 JST, Tama Tonga’s profile was erroneously erased from the NJPW profile page, and EVIL was incorrectly listed as the NEVER Openweight Champion.
NJPW has come to learn that these alterations were made by staff members under extreme duress at the command of EVIL. After reviewing video evidence, these alterations have been amended.
We apologise to fans, and particularly to Tama Tonga for the confusion and distress caused.
Tama is still scheduled to defend the NEVER Openweight Title on January 20 at NJPW New Beginning in Nagoya.
