Hiroshi Tanahashi has been pulled from NJPW Collision in Philadelphia due to an injury.
NJPW announced that Tanahashi sustained an injury at NJPW Capital Collision on April 15, so he will be unable to compete at the event on April 16. Additionally, TJP will be unable to make the show due to travel issues. Tanahashi was scheduled to team up with Lio Rush and Tomohiro Ishii to face Aussie Open (Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher) and TJP.
Hiroshi Tanahashi later confirmed on Twitter that he had suffered a broken rib during the Saturday night show. Tanahashi was paired with Kazuchika Okada in the main event of Collision in Philadelphia, which saw Aussie Open's Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis capture the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Titles in a Triple Threat Match that also included Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, the Motor City Machine Guns.
昨夜、病院に行きました。肋骨が折れていました。すみません。
— HIROSHI TANAHASHI (@tanahashi1_100) April 16, 2023
I went to hospital last night. My rib is broken. Sorry. #njpw
Due to these changes, NJPW announced that Aussie Open will defend the STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship against Rush and Ishii. Additionally, Tanahashi will be available for a special meet and greet at the arena.
From NJPW:
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
On April 15 at Capital Collision, a scheduled match between Juice Robinson and Fred Rosser ended in a no contest when Robinson attacked Rosser before the bell, and also assaulted an official.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling holds the safety of its competitors and staff at the highest priority, and after careful consideration, has determined that Juice Robinson be suspended effective immediately and until further notice.
As a result, Robinson will not compete at Collision in Philadelphia. NJPW apologises for the sudden card change and any inconvenience and disappointment caused.
The following changes have been made to the Collision in Philadelphia card:
5th Match
Fred Rosser & Rocky Romero vs SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru ->
Homicide & Rocky Romero vs SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
8th Match
IWGP US Championship Number One Contender’s Tournament: Juice Robinson vs Lance Archer->
IWGP US Championship Number One Contender’s Tournament: Fred Rosser vs Lance Archer
As of this writing, it's unclear how long Tanahashi will be sidelined. Fightful will provide more information as it becomes available.
Update: NJPW subsequently announced that Clark Connors will face The DKC at NJPW Capital Collision. Connors joined Bullet Club at NJPW Capital Collision.
Fightful will have coverage of NJPW Collision in Philadelphia as it airs on Sunday.
Catch up on our coverage of NJPW Capital Collision here.
