New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that the company will be resuming operations next week in the form of live events with no fans in attendance until July. The company will be kicking off their return with the New Japan Cup tournament with the winner earning a shot at Tetsuya Naito’s IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Titles one day after the tournament concludes.
It was announced on NJPW1972.com that Tiger Mask will not be a part of the forthcoming events as he is recovering from colonic diverticulitis. Tiger Mask last wrestled on the New Japan Road tour in February in a tag match with Yuji Nagata. Below is the official statement from NJPW concerning Tiger Mask:
“Tiger Mask will be absent from forthcoming New Japan Pro-Wrestling events as he recovers from colonic diverticulitis. We apologise to all fans who are looking forward to seeing Tiger Mask perform, and wish him well in his recovery.”
The New Japan Cup field features 32-men and two of the first-round matches include Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. and SHO vs. Shingo Takagi. On July 11th and 12th, NJPW is running Osaka-jo Hall for the final shows of the New Japan Cup and 1/3rd of the building’s capacity will be open for fans to attend.
For more information on the string of announcements that New Japan made concerning their comeback, check out POST Wrestling’s published article about the topic.
