Last weekend, Kota Ibushi was pulled from two Summer Struggle in Sapporo events. New Japan reported it was due to side effects from COVID-19 vaccination.
Today (July 17), the company announced Ibushi will also miss this upcoming Monday’s Summer Struggle show in Ryugasaki due to illness. They specify the former IWGP World Heavyweight champion tested negative for COVID.
“Kota Ibushi will not be competing on July 19’s Ryugasaki live event as a result of an illness. Ibushi has undertaken a PCR test, which has returned negative. We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Ibushi wrestle, and appreciate your understanding.“
Yuji Nagata will replace Ibushi in the ten man match scheduled for Ryugaski.
As of now, the Golden Star is still scheduled to attempt to reclaim New Japan’s top prize from Shingo Takagi at Wrestle Grand Slam in the Tokyo Dome on Sun., July 25. NJPW announced plans to go forward with the stadium show despite a new lockdown in the country as COVID cases climb before the start of the Olympic Games in Tokyo.