As noted before, New Japan Pro Wrestling talent Juice Robinson has been out of action for the company since suffering a bout of appendicitis earlier this month.
In a storyline-based update, NJPW announced that they have stripped Robinson of his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship after he had sent a video stating that he would not be making his scheduled appearance nor title defense at this Sunday’s Dominion 2022 event.
NJPW also announced that as a result of Robinson’s actions, the previously scheduled Triple Threat match of Will Ospreay vs. SANADA vs. Robinson (c) will now be a singles match of Ospreay vs. SANADA for the vacant title.
On Friday June 9, New Japan Pro-Wrestling was in receipt of a video from Juice Robinson, in which he stated that he would not be present for his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship three way match at Dominion.
In fact, Robinson had initially agreed to the championship match Sunday in Osaka Jo Hall. Having now reneged on this agreement and refusing to attend in Osaka, NJPW is hereby stripping Robinson of his champion status and is demanding the return of the championship belt currently in his possession.
As a result of the championship vacancy, the previously scheduled IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship three way is now a singles match that will determine a new champion.
The card change is as follows:
9th Match- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Three Way
Juice Robinson vs SANADA vs Will Ospreay ->
9th Match- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship
SANADA vs Will Ospreay
New Japan Pro-Wrestling apologises to fans who were looking forward to seeing Juice wrestle, as well as for the confusion and inconvenience caused.