Update on the Karl Anderson/NEVER Openweight Title situation.
While Karl Anderson was in possession of the NJPW’s NEVER Openweight Championship, he and Luke Gallows made their returns to WWE.
NJPW promoted The Good Brothers’ return to WWE and continued to advertise Anderson for their Battle Autumn show on November 5th where he is scheduled to defend the NEVER Title against Hikuleo. WWE ended up announcing Anderson and Gallows for Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia on November 5th.
Anderson pushed out a video on his social media platforms and stated that he would not be able to make the NJPW date. New Japan has since published a statement on the matter and said the NEVER Title is going to be vacated if Anderson does not make his scheduled date.
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Early morning Japan time on October 20, NEVER Openweight Champion Karl Anderson posted a video on social media indicating that he would not be making his advertised commitment on November 5 in Osaka.
NJPW had announced Anderson’s match with Hikuleo for the NEVER Openweight Championship on October 4. Despite comments from Doc Gallows to the contrary in Anderson’s video, the booking was made through the appropriate channels, and with Anderson’s expressed approval.
However, after the match’s announcement, both Gallows and Anderson would appear on the October 10 edition of WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” broadcast. This led to WWE announcing a match featuring both men for their Saudi Arabia event on November 5, in direct conflict with Anderson’s prior commitment.
NJPW has for the past several days attempted to negotiate with Anderson, but has not been met with a response. Should Anderson decide to renege on his scheduled championship match, he will be required to vacate the NEVER Openweight Championship and return the title belt to NJPW immediately.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling holds its champions to the highest standards of professionalism, and sincerely apologises to fans for any disappointment or inconvenience caused by this matter.
Anderson was in action this past Monday night on Raw. Earlier this month, he and Gallows were competing for NJPW at Royal Quest II in London, England.
