NJPW
Two major NJPW stars have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been pulled from this weekend’s Wrestling Dontaku show.
New Japan Pro Wrestling announced today that former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay and former six-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami have tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be able to wrestle on the Wrestling Dontaku event on May 1.
Ospreay has been replaced by Tomohiro Ishii in his scheduled match against Hiroshi Tanahashi for the vacant IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
Meanwhile, Fujinami will have a mystery replacement to team up with Shingo Takagi and BUSHI in six-man tag team action against Zack Sabre Jr., TAKA Michinoku and Taichi.
NJPW made the following statement on their website:
Thank you for your support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Aa a result of PCR testing, it has been determined that Tatsumi Fujinami and Will Ospreay are both positive for COVID-19, and will not be able to wrestle on Sunday May 1 at Wrestling Dontaku.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling deeply apologizes to fans who were looking forward to seeing Fujinami and Ospreay wrestle. We appreciate your understanding, and join fans in wishing a speedy recovery and return.
Changes have been made to the Dontaku card as a result. In the semi main event, Tomohiro Ishii will face Hiroshi Tanahashi for the vacant IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. Ishii defeated Minoru Suzuki at Windy City Riot on April 16, and is slated to wrestle Eddie Kingston in Washington DC May 14.
In Fujinami’s absence, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI will team with a mystery opponent to open the Dontaku card.
1st Match
Shingo Takagi, BUSHI & Tatsumi Fujinami vs Zack Sabre Jr, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi ->
Shingo Takagi, BUSHI & X vs Zack Sabre Jr, TAKA Michinoku & Taichi
8th Match- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship
Will Ospreay vs Hiroshi Tanahashi->
Tomohiro Ishii vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
For the full lineup for NJPW Wrestling Dontaku, click here.
Everyone here at WrestleTalk wishes both Ospreay and Fujinami all the best in their recoveries.
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2 years ago by SP3
@TruHeelSP3
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