Karl Anderson Gives Update On New Japan Status

Despite being signed to WWE, Karl Anderson is still the current New Japan Pro Wrestling NEVER Openweight Champion.

The Machine Gun had been scheduled to defend his title against Hikuleo on NJPW's Battle Autumn show on November 5, but was double booked and competed in a six-man tag match at WWE Crown Jewel instead.

Anderson's NEVER Openweight Title defence was duly cancelled with no rescheduled date announced.

Speaking on the After the Bell with Corey Graves podcast, the OC member ensured fans that he would defend the title in the future, saying:

"I'm gonna go back on my time. New Japan Pro-Wrestling usually strips their champions when they can't make a show. They threw a leniency in there because they announced the match when we hadn't totally agreed what we were going to do. The dates were coming up...I'm going to come back and defend my championship. I messaged Rocky Romero, he's a great friend and one of the office brothers, and I go, 'I can't wait to announce this date because these people are really hating me right now'. I'm keeping this title and never giving it back." 

That last part was (obviously) said in jest.

Reports late last month indicated that Anderson was still expected to work NJPW dates, while the man himself vowed that he wouldn't vacate his title.

H/T Fightful