Former WWE Star Pulled From Big Upcoming Championship Match

WWE

Lio Rush has been replaced in a big title bout at NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku.

Hiromu Takahashi was scheduled to face Lio Rush and “Speedball” Mike Bailey in a three way match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on October 9 at NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku.

However, Rush was removed from the Road To Destruction shows earlier this week due to an illness that has affected several NJPW stars, including Jeff Cobb, Hikuleo, Alex Coughlin and Gabe Kidd.

On the October 7 Road To Destruction show, YOH pinned IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi in a 10 Man Elimination Match.

During the October 8 press conference ahead of Destruction In Ryogoku, YOH announced that he was replacing Lio Rush in the three way title bout against Takahashi and Bailey. NJPW released the following statement on their website:

At a special pre-Destruction in Ryogoku press conference today in Tokyo, a big change was made to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship three-way match between Lio Rush, Hiromu Takahashi, and Mike Bailey.

Bailey’s international commitments have meant the challenger will arrive in Japan hours before his title match, making preview tags leading up to Destruction in Ryogoku contested between Takahashi and Rush. Earlier this week though, Rush fell ill and had been absent from final dates on the road to Destruction, raising questions over his status. In the midst of this confusion, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi crashed the public contract signing, seemingly content with staging a press conference by himself, only to be interrupted by YOH.

Popcorn in hand, YOH took a seat with the fans, as Takahashi admitted losing to the CHAOS member 24 hours earlier in Miyagi. Hiromu told the crowd that he planned to defend his title in the three-way at Ryogoku before accepting the challenge of YOH, but YOH had other plans. Telling the champion that his tag team partner was out of the running for Ryogoku, YOH commented ‘We can’t help getting sick sometimes, and Lio got sick. He can’t wrestle. So that said, put me in his place in the three-way match!’

Hiromu didn’t need much time to consider things, and with Chairman Sugabayashi mute through the whole encounter, took silence for permission. As Takahashi vowed to surpass the defense record with the junior heavyweight gold, he now has to do it with a different match environment, and perhaps even more unpredictability tomorrow in Sumo Hall.

Also scheduled for Monday’s show, SANADA will defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against EVIL in a Lumberjack Match and David Finlay vs. Tama Tonga for the NEVER Openweight Championship.

WrestleTalk will provide any news and notes from NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku when they become available.

Want to know more about what goes on outside the ring? WrestleTalk proudly presents Wrestling Unmasked, a new book that explores the untold stories, the politics, and the endless drama that unfolds behind the scenes. It’s time to experience wrestling like never before! Buy your copy here!

• NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku
• yoh
• Lio Rush
• NJPW

Share this article with friends