Six NJPW wrestlers were pulled from Wrestling Dontaku on Tuesday, after two wrestlers arrived to the venue with fevers. This led to the card being reshuffled and the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship match being scrapped. NJPW is now reporting that two unnamed wrestlers have tested positive for the Coronavirus, and are experiencing mild symptoms.
The two are currently experiencing mild symptoms, and are acting under medical advice for treatment and recovery. Other wrestlers, as well as staff who have been in contact with the individuals are currently being thoroughly monitored in a controlled environment and receiving relevant tests. Updates will be provided in due course.
The six wrestlers pulled from Tuesday’s show were Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO, YOH & Kazuchika Okada. The two wrestlers are the first NJPW talent to contract COVID-19 since NJPW’s return from hiatus in May of 2020.
El Desperado is currently the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion and has been feuding with both SHO & YOH, who are also the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions. Kazuchika Okada is supposed to challenge IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome on May 29th.
WrestleZone wishes a safe and speedy recovery to both men and will update as more information is released.
Two NJPW wrestlers have tested positive for COVID-19.
Details and full statement: https://t.co/EQ2d5cBssl#njpw pic.twitter.com/ndM9xBxUIL
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) May 5, 2021
