NJPW’s Master Wato out of action with torn ACL

NJPW wrestler Master Wato is facing an extended period of time out of action.

Wato was supposed to face SHO in the semi-main event of Tuesday’s Road to the New Beginning show at Korakuen Hall. Instead, the event opened with Wato on crutches and announcing that he has a left knee injury that will require surgery. There was then an angle where SHO attacked Wato with a wrench. SHO taunted Wato until El Desperado made the save.

NJPW has confirmed that Wato’s injury is a torn left ACL. The injury happened during a tag team match where Wato & Desperado lost to SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru at the New Beginning in Nagoya on January 20.

Wato said: “I will come back better than 100 percent and when I do come back I will face SHO one on one.”

SHO didn’t wrestle at Tuesday’s Road to the New Beginning event after his scheduled match against Wato was canceled. The main event saw Desperado retain his IWGP Junior Heavyweight title against Kanemaru. SHO attacked Desperado during a backstage interview following the match and declared that he’ll be challenging for Desperado’s championship next.