Tag: karl anderson

Following up on the drama the last couple months between New Japan and NEVER Openweight Champion Karl Anderson refusing to defend the title earlier this month, the next defense may be set. Anderson posted a video on Instagram today announcing he will return to New Japan on 12/14 in Sendai to defend the title. That’s the current tour-ender date with the World Tag League & Super Jr. Tag League Finals. We should hear something definite from New Japan soon, maybe late tonight US time, and then maybe find out if Hikuleo will still get his chance at the title per the original plan.

This all started in October when Anderson and Doc Gallows returned to, and subsequently re-signed with, WWE after Anderson was announced foe the 11/5 New Japan event. Anderson announced he would instead be at the WWE event in Saudi Arabia that day despite the prior commitment to New Japan. The promotion threatened to strip Anderson of the title but didn’t and Hikuleo instead faced (and beat) Yujiro Takahashi.

More as it becomes available.

UPDATE: It’s now official. Anderson-Hikuleo for the title will happen on 12/14.

Updating the ongoing drama between New Japan and NEVER Openweight Champion Karl Anderson around the scheduled 11/5 title match in Osaka, the match is now off. The promotion claims it has still not received a response from Anderson so the match has bern cancelled. He was to have defended the title against Hikuleo. In fallout from recent live events, Hikuleo will now face Yujiro Takahashi on 11/5 in a NON-TITLE match.

Despite rumors this could happen, Anderson has not yet been stripped of the title. He is missing the event due to claiming he will instead be at a WWE event in Saudi Arabia that day.

More as it becomes available.

UPDATE: In related news, New Japan has added IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions FTR vs. Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb for the titles to 11/5.

This is currently unconfirmed but if you remember when Juice Robinson was stripped of the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship earlier this year, New Japan may have similar again with the NEVER Openweight Championship. Karl Anderson is scheduled to defend the title against Hikuleo on 11/5. Except The Good Brothers dropped a video today saying they’ll be in WWE that day-WWE is in Saudi Arabia for one of their big events there the Saudis are paying huge for. In response to this, fellow New Japan wrestler (and sort of international liaison) Rocky Romero demanded the belt be returned. No response yet from New Japan.

Original source: https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2022/10/19/23413067/karl-anderson-wwe-crown-jewel-new-japan-title-defense-double-booked-statement