Tiger Mask to miss NJPW events due to colonic diverticulitis

Though NJPW is returning to running shows next week, Tiger Mask will remain out of action for the time being.

NJPW has announced that Tiger Mask will miss their forthcoming events due to colonic diverticulitis: “Tiger Mask will be absent from forthcoming New Japan Pro-Wrestling events as he recovers from colonic diverticulitis. We apologise to all fans who are looking forward to seeing Tiger Mask perform, and wish him well in his recovery.”

Tiger Mask, who is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask character and has been doing so since 1995, has held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship six times during his career.

After the coronavirus pandemic caused them to cancel 53 shows, NJPW is returning next Monday (June 15) with the Together Project Special. The card for the event won’t be announced until bell time.

The New Japan Cup will then begin on June 16 and end on July 11, with the winner advancing to challenge Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Dominion on July 12. This year’s New Japan Cup will now be an openweight tournament.

The Together Project Special and the eight New Japan Cup events prior to the finals won’t have fans in attendance. The New Japan Cup finals and Dominion will then take place at Osaka-jo Hall. Fans will be allowed to attend those two shows, but the arena will be limited to one-third capacity.