Kota Ibushi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan To Miss NJPW Anniversary Show & New Japan Cup

Kota Ibushi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan To Miss NJPW Anniversary Show & New Japan Cup NJPW

New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) announced the bracket for the 2022 New Japan Cup last week, with it featuring top NJPW stars Kota Ibushi and Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

However, both men have now been pulled from not only the New Japan Cup, but also the upcoming 50th anniversary show, due to them not having fully recovered from their respective injuries.

Due to the two men being pulled, Great-O-Khan (who was scheduled to face Ibushi in the New Japan Cup) will win the match via forfeit and advance to the second round.

Tenzan was scheduled to meet the winner of the Toru Yano vs Taichi match in the second round, with the winner of that bout now receiving a bye.

NJPW posted the following statement on their website:

Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Kota Ibushi has been diligently preparing for a scheduled return on March 1 at the Nippon Budokan. However, after careful consultation with trainers, medical staff and the NJPW medical committee, and based on the results of a final medical evaluation, the difficult decision has been made to delay Ibushi’s return, and remove him from Wednesday’s Anniversary card. The following change has been made to the event.

4th match

Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Kota Ibushi vs Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare ->

Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Yuto Nakashima & Kosei Fujita vs Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare

Furthermore, after concerns around Ibushi’s condition across several potential singles matches in the New Japan Cup tournament, the decision has been made for him to withdraw. His first round match against Great-O-Khan on March 6 will be considered forfeit, and O-Khan will advance to March 12 in Aichi where he will face Taiji Ishimori.

Additionally, Hiroyoshi Tenzan is still recovering from a knee injury, and will not be taking part in the New Japan Cup. His second round match against the winner of Taichi and Toru Yano on March 9 in Korakuen will be considered forfeit, and either Yano or Taichi will advance to the third round March 16 in Aichi.

We deeply apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Tenzan and Ibushi wrestle and appreciate your understanding. New Japan Pro-Wrestling joins fans in wishing the very best for both men in their recovery.

We created a list of potential winners of the New Japan Cup from the left side of the bracket, which can be read here.

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2 years ago by Connel Rumsey

@connel1405

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