New Japan Pro-Wrestling issues an official statement regarding Karl Anderson missing the Battle Autumn event on November 5.
NJPW previously advertised that Karl Anderson will defend the NEVER Openweight Championship at the Battle Autumn event on November 5. However, plans changed when Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows return to WWE on the October 10 episode of Monday Night Raw, after which, were subsequently booked for a six-man tag team match at WWE Crown Jewel.
This event is also on November 5. Gallows and Anderson had posted a video stating that Anderson would not be defending the title against Hikuleo as scheduled and instead would be defending the belt on his own time.
Initially, NJPW had intended to strip him of the title, forcing them to vacate the belt. Anderson also defiantly declined to do this and now, NJPW has issued a new statement saying they had no choice but to cancel the planned match for November 5.
From NJPW:
Despite extensive efforts by New Japan Pro-Wrestling to negotiate with Karl Anderson regarding his scheduled match in Osaka at Battle Autumn on November 5, NJPW officials have still been met with no response, and have been left with no other option but to cancel the planned NEVER Openweight Championship match.
We apologise to fans who had been looking forward to watching Anderson wrestle.
After a challenge from Yujiro Takahashi, and at the direct request of Hikuleo, Osaka will now see a non-title special singles match between Yujiro Takahashi and Hikuleo.
NJPW holds its champions to the highest standard of professionalism. We deeply apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by this matter.
The current lineup for the Battle Autum event on November 5 is below.
NJPW Battle Autumn (11/5)
- Yujiro Takahashi vs. Hikuleo
- IWGP US Championship: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: United Empire (Francesco Akira & TJP) (c) vs. Titan & BUSHI
- Taiji Ishimori, Master Wato, El Desperado, and Hiromu Takahashi compete in a wild card tag match
- Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher) vs. TBA
- NJPW World TV Title Tournament Semifinals
Fightful will continue to monitor the situation and provide more information as it becomes available.
Fans can find results from past NJPW events at Fightful's results section.
