The IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion is out of action for the foreseeable future.
In the third round of the New Japan Cup, Will Ospreay took on IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion SANADA. The match was ruled in Ospreay’s favor after SANADA suffered an injury and could not continue. It was later determined that SANADA suffered a fractured left orbital bone.
New Japan made the announcement and noted that SANADA is off their 3/18 show where he was scheduled to team with BUSHI and Tetsuya Naito to take on United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan).
There is no timetable for SANADA’s return, but at the minimum, he will miss the remainder of the New Japan Cup tour.
【お知らせ】
SANADA選手が左目眼窩底骨折により欠場へ。復帰時期は未定https://t.co/wvYe4luCFQ#njcup pic.twitter.com/BkN8fEA2Dc— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) March 18, 2022
SANADA is the 9th IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion. He won the title from Hiroshi Tanahashi in February. It was his first singles title win in New Japan.