Matt Sydal was arrested last month in Japan for possession of cannabis, putting his future as a wrestler there in doubt given the strict drug laws in Japan.
Nikkan Sports reported that arrest took place Sept. 23 as Sydal was attempting to enter the country to compete for New Japan Pro Wrestling's Destruction events in Yokohama and Kobe. Sydal was slated to defend the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Titles at Destruction in Kobe on Sept. 25 with partners Satoshi Kojima and Ricochet, but when Sydal did not appear, the titles were vacated. David Finlay, Jr. replaced Sydal in the match, and that trio went on to win the titles.
Nikkan Sports reported Sydal was charged with possession of a “hidden pipe containing liquid cannabis two and a pipe containing cannabis two of a state of being attached to the electronic cigarette”, which amounted to just more than 2 grams.
PWInsider is reporting that Sydal was convicted on the charges Thursday. No sentence has been handed down, but possible sentencing options could include Sydal being barred from the country, or even a jail term of as long as 5-7 years.
News of this arrest contradicts tweets that Sydal posted on Sept. 25, saying that he was stuck in Hawaii because of passport issues.
Sydal has not posted on any of his social media accounts since.
While working for WWE, Sydal was suspended for violating the company wellness policy twice. He later revealed those suspensions were for smoking synthetic marijuana.
Sydal is a former tag champion in WWE and ROH, in addition to winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles twice in NJPW with Ricochet.
