AJ Styles misses NJPW show due to a back injury

Two-time IWGP Champion and current NJPW star A.J. Styles missed today’s New Japan show in Yamaguchi, Japan, due to a back injury.

Styles & Yujiro Takahashi were scheduled against Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata, but Goto & Shibata were awarded the win via forfeit. Goto & Shibata beat Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu after some changes to the undercard.

According to those close to the situation, Styles took the show off for rest and treatment and he is expected back in action shortly. Styles & Takahashi’s next tournament match is scheduled against ROH tag team champions Michael Bennett & Matt Taven for this Tuesday in Fukuoka at Hakata Star Lanes.

The 38-year-old Styles had been out of action a few weeks ago with back problems before the tour, causing him to miss two ROH dates. He is set for some big matches in the months ahead, facing ROH Champion Jay Lethal at December’s Final Battle iPPV and Nakamura at January’s Wrestle Kingdom 10.