NJPW Cancels Shows Due To Japan State Of Emergency

NJPW has announced the cancellation of a number of shows due to recent government declarations in Japan.

The company has now cancelled three events set for Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. The May 8,9 and 10 shows during the Road to Wrestle Grand Slam tour will not be taking place due to Tokyo entering a third state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NJPW released the following statement on their website:

May 8, 10, 11 Korakuen Hall events cancelled

As a result of the State of Emergency declared across Tokyo, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to cancel three events on the Road to Wrestle Grand Slam tour on May 8, 10, and 11 at Korakuen Hall.

We deeply apologize to fans who were looking forward to these events. Though matches with no fans in attendance were considered, NJPW has decided that in order to act in the best interests of staff and wrestlers as they prepare for Wrestle Grand Slam in Yokohama Stadium on May 15 and Tokyo Dome on May 29, cancellation was the correct course of action.

The following events are covered by today’s cancellations:

Saturday, May 8, Korakuen Hall

Monday, May 10, Korakuen Hall

Tuesday, May 11, Korakuen Hall

All other events on our current schedule are set to proceed as planned, though New Japan Pro-Wrestling will be in constant contact with local authorities with regards to restrictions and regulations. Please check back on njpw1972.com for the latest event information. Fans in attendance are also reminded to check and comply with our live event policy.

All tickets for affected events will be refunded, with a procedure to be announced at a later date. If you have any ticketing inquiries, you can get in touch through our contact form, using the subject header ‘ticket inquiries’.

It was noted that no-fan shows were considered, however the events were cancelled in the best interests of the talent and staff.

As of writing (April 26), the 2 nights of Wrestling Dontaku 2021 in Fukuoka are still set to take place. On May 3, Jay White and Hiroshi Tanahashi face off for the NEVER Openweight Title.

The May 4 show will be headlined by Shingo Takagi challenging for Will Ospreay’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

On NJPW Strong, the first ever NJPW Strong Openweight Champion was crowned. Tom Lawlor and Brody King battled in the final of the New Japan Cup USA to determine the inaugural titleholder.

What are your thoughts on the above story? Let us know in the comments on Twitter or Facebook.

• COVID-19
• Cancel
• Wrestle Grand Slam
• NJPW

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