There will not be an NEVER Openweight Championship defense at the upcoming NJPW Battle Autumn event on November 5, 2022.
This week, New Japan Pro Wrestling issued a statement regarding the originally scheduled match that would see Karl Anderson defending the NEVER Openweight Championship at the 11/5 special event being cancelled.
Featured below is the official announcement that was made regarding the change to the originally advertised lineup.
“Despite extensive efforts by New Japan Pro-Wrestling to negotiate with Karl Anderson regarding his scheduled match in Osaka at Battle Autumn on November 5, NJPW officials have still been met with no response, and have been left with no other option but to cancel the planned NEVER Openweight Championship match.
We apologise to fans who had been looking forward to watching Anderson wrestle.
After a challenge from Yujiro Takahashi, and at the direct request of Hikuleo, Osaka will now see a non-title special singles match between Yujiro Takahashi and Hikuleo.
NJPW holds its champions to the highest standard of professionalism. We deeply apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by this matter.”
