Juice Robinson misses NJPW BOSJ finals show with appendicitis

IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Juice Robinson missed today’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors finals show due to a bout with appendicitis. 

It was announced at the top of today’s event that there would be a card change, and that Robinson would miss his scheduled non-title bout against Tomoaki Honma due to the ailment. Honma instead faced Ryohei Oiwa. 

Later in the show, SANADA returned after missing time with a fractured orbital bone to issue a challenge for the United States title at the June 12 Dominion show. It is unclear whether or not Robinson will be able to defend the title, or whether he will be stripped and SANADA and another contender will square off for the vacant title.

Robinson won the US title in a four-way at last month’s Capital Collision event in Washington DC, defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jon Moxley, and Will Ospreay in a four-way.

After teasing that his NJPW deal had expired, Robinson made a surprise return during Wrestling Dontaku on May 1, aligning himself with Bullet Club and ditching his “The Flamboyant” Juice Robinson gimmick for a new heel persona.