The Good Brothers recently returned to WWE, reforming The OC along with AJ Styles, and while most fans were happy to have them back in WWE, those who follow New Japan did wonder how they’d handle the fact Karl Anderson is the current NEVER Openweight Champion. And while many thought, given the circumstances and WWE previously allowing talents to fulfill prior obligations, it could be turned into an angle, and Anderson could return to Japan in the coming months to drop the title, that doesn’t appear to be the case. As New Japan has now issued a statement stating he’s failed to respond to them when contacted and that if he doesn’t fulfill his booking against Hikuleo, he will need to return the belt immediately.
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. 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.
njpw1972.comNew Japan takes its championships very seriously. In the past, they even stripped Jon Moxley of their version of the United States Championship due to Typhoon Hagibis preventing him from traveling. Therefore it’s doubtful they would have been willing to make an exception for a wrestler who won’t even be working for them ongoing. However, as Anderson has not replied, which is unprofessional if true, they seemingly couldn’t even discuss options.
Nevertheless, given that WWE is his new home, and Anderson has signed a multiyear contract, there seems no doubt that he’ll be wrestling at Crown Jewel as it’s been announced he’ll be teaming with AJ Styles and Luke Gallows against The Judgment Day. Therefore New Japan shouldn’t waste any more time waiting for Anderson to reply and instead focus on finding a replacement opponent for Hikuleo. And then perhaps reevaluate their policy of allowing non-contracted talents to hold championship belts.
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