New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that Will Ospreay has vacated the IWGP World Heavyweight Title due to a neck injury.
According to NJPW Ospreay suffered the neck injury during the second night of Wrestling Dontaku. NJPW also said Osprey will not be participating in the next series of events and will return to the United Kingdom for rehabilitation. There was not timetable provided for his return.
NJPW make an announcement at a later date the status of the IWGP World Heavyweight Title. Ospreay held the title for 46 days, after defeating Kota Ibushi at Sakura the NJPW Genesis event back on April 4.
Ospreay was scheduled to defend the title against Kazuchika Okada at the Wrestle Grand Slam event at the Tokyo Dome. However, that event and the Yokohama Stadium event were recently postponed due to Japan declaring a State of Emergency through the end of May as a result of a surge in COVID-19.
NJPW has not held any shows since May 4 as nine of their wrestlers testing positive for COVID-19. They plan to resume shows starting this Saturday May 22.
You can read the announcement from NJPW below:
Will Ospreay injured; vacates world title
On May 4’s night two of Wrestling Dontaku in Fukuoka, Will Ospreay sustained a neck injury. As a result, Ospreay will not be participating in the next series of events and will instead return to the UK for treatment and rehabilitation.
There is no timetable for Ospreay’s return to action at this time, and as a result, his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be vacated.
Further announcements on the status of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be made at a later date.
Will Ospreay sustains neck injury; to vacate IWGP World Heavyweight Championshiphttps://t.co/u3RAwkbyzV#njpw pic.twitter.com/UlWMVstp4z
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) May 20, 2021