The Karl Anderson situation is taking more twists and turns (Picture: WWE)
New Japan Pro Wrestling has scrapped a match featuring WWE star Karl Anderson after he was booked for Crown Jewel on the same day.
The O.C. star – who recently made a shocking return on Raw alongside his Good Brothers tag team partner Luke Gallows – still holds the NEVER Openweight Championship despite rejoining WWE, and he was set to defend the belt for NJPW at the promotion’s Battle Autumn event on November 5.
However, he’ll now be in action in Saudi Arabia that day as he teams up with Gallows and AJ Styles against the Judgment Day members Finn Balor, Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio.
In a statement, New Japan said: ‘Despite extensive efforts by New Japan Pro-Wrestling to negotiate with Karl Anderson regarding his scheduled match in Osaka at Battle Autumn on November 5, NJPW officials have still been met with no response, and have been left with no other option but to cancel the planned NEVER Openweight Championship match.
‘We apologise to fans who had been looking forward to watching Anderson wrestle.
‘After a challenge from Yujiro Takahashi, and at the direct request of Hikuleo, Osaka will now see a non-title special singles match between Yujiro Takahashi and Hikuleo.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson returned to reunite with AJ Styles (middle) on Raw (Picture: WWE)
‘NJPW holds its champions to the highest standard of professionalism. We deeply apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by this matter.’
There has been plenty of drama around the situation, with Gallows and Anderson claiming the New Japan booking was made without them knowing, and the champion had said he wouldn’t be making the advertised bout.
New Japan said in a previous statement: 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.’
Hikuleo responded insisting he was happy to wait for the match and that Anderson didn’t need to vacate the belt – something he has refused to do anyway.
He tweeted: ‘I’m not vacating anything. I’m the greatest #NeverOpenweightChampion of all time. I’ll defend it on my time ….. get with my booking agent @The_BigLG I’ll see ya then @Hiku_Leo. That’s #TooSweet’
It’s not clear how much of what’s going on is a storyline or legitimate backstage beef, but over the weekend WWE showed its willingness to work with other promotions as it was confirmed Shinsuke Nakamura will face Great Muta for Pro Wrestling NOAH on New Year’s Day.
WWE Raw airs Monday nights at 1am on BT Sport 1.
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The situation continues to unfold.