Following his return to WWE in October 2022, a returning WWE star found himself “double booked” and unable to fulfil an NJPW date.
Originally scheduled to face Hikuleo to defend the NEVER Openweight Championship at New Japan Battle Autumn on November 5, Anderson (and Gallows) would be unable to do so as that date was shared with WWE Crown Jewel.
This led to a back-and-forth between Anderson and NJPW through Twitter and press releases.
Now, however, it seems that Anderson will finally face Hikuleo with the NEVER Openweight Championship on the line and it’ll happen in Japan.
NJPW published a press release on their official website, stating:
“December 14 in Sendai, Karl Anderson will defend the NEVER Openweight Championship at the combined Super Junior and World Tag League finals against Hikuleo.
“After defending the NEVER Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi on September 25 in Kobe, Hikuleo moved to be next in line. The match seemed set for November 5 at battle Autumn Osaka, but Anderson and partner Doc Gallows would suddenly appear on WWE Raw, before finding themselves ‘double booked’.
“As the match had been made through the proper channels and advertised, NJPW moved to strip Anderson of the NEVER Openweight Championship, but Hikuleo refused to let the move happen, demanding that he fight Anderson for the title in an NJPW ring. On November 23 Japan time), Anderson posted a message on social media indicating that he and Gallows would be in Sendai on December 14, and the match has now been made official.
“Will Anderson continue to hold NEVER gold hostage, or can Hikuleo bring the title home and to Hontai? Find out December 14!”
December 14 is the date of the finals of the World Tag League 2022 Tournament and the Super Jr. Tag League 2022 Tournament.
The show will be broadcast live on NJPW World with English commentary.
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