Shoma Kato injured, to miss remainder of NJPW New Beginning tour

  • Ian Carey
  • By 

Shoma Kato is injured. 

NJPW announced on Wednesday that the young lion has suffered a dislocation fracture of his right ankle and will miss the remainder of the New Beginning tour, which runs until the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. 

Kato will be replaced on the tour by fellow young lion Masatora Yasuda, who has been cleared to return following an injury suffered in November. Yasuda will wrestle Daiki Nagai in a singles match on tomorrow’s show from Miyagi. 

NJPW1972.com wrote:

“Shoma Kato, who was scheduled to appear during the New Beginning series, has sustained a dislocation fracture of his right ankle and will be unable to compete. He currently does not have a timetable to return. We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Kato wrestle and appreciate your understanding. Masatora Yasuda, who has been cleared to return, will wrestle on the remainder  of series cards.”

NJPW has a busy schedule upcoming, with eight shows over the next 11 days. Two title matches are scheduled for upcoming shows as well. The NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championships will be defended on tomorrow’s show when champions Oleg Bolton, Toru Yano, and Hiroshi Tanahashi defend against House of Torture. On Monday’s show at Korakuen Hall, NJPW World TV Champion El Phantasmo will defend against Jeff Cobb in a rematch of their double-count out from Battle in the Valley.