Big News coming from All Japan Pro Wrestling

Multiple news stories today, from a bad report on Jake Lee’s injury, to updates for Ultimo Dragon’s Anniversary show and World Junior challenge, and then Director Omori announced that the BANG! TV belt will be in defense at Ryogoku.

All Japan announced that Jake Lee and Naoya Nomura have been forced to vacate the World Tag belts due to Lee suffering a left knee ACL rupture, inner ligament injury, and a cone contusion as well. Though the previously announced title match at Ryogoku Kokugikan on August 27 will still on, as Naoya Nomura will be seeking a partner to take on the BJW team of Daisuke Sekimoto and Yuji Okabayashi. Nomura is currently looking through potential candidates to team with even mentioning names like Jun Akiyama and or KAI, but nothing is for certain yet. Though Sekimoto and Okabayashi were upset that the match is being changed, but the former World Tag Champions are eager for another chance to have the belts wrapped around their waist once more.

Ultimo Dragon also took part in today’s press conference as the road to his 30th anniversary show in Japan comes closer as well as his upcoming challenge for the World Junior belt at Ryogoku later in the month. Ultimo stated that he and TAJIRI have only met two times in the past, once in Mexico and once in the USA, and this upcoming match will be their third ever meeting. That this match will hold many meanings to him personally like it is destiny that it must take place in Ryogoku. A sacred ground for combat sports, All Japan’s 45th anniversary, and Ultimo’s own 30th anniversary. He expects a lot from TAJIRI when it comes to be a fighting champion and Ultimo said that he aims to give it his all as this may very well be his final challenge for the belt. As he stated that he will have no regrets coming into or out of this match.

Then Director Takao Omori announced that Osamu Nishimura will be defending the BANG! TV World Heavyweight belt at Ryogoku. As a special battle royal will be taking place and that he will be taking challenger submissions via email starting today. Naoshi Sano has been announced as the only challenger so far at this time.

Not all of the event cards have been updated at this time to reflect upon Lee’s absences, but they should be soon.