New Japan Pro Wrestling issued the following press release announcing that more changes have been made to the ongoing Golden Series tour due to COVID-19 protocols, and several matchups will change from what was originally scheduled. In addition, top star Jeff Cobb is also off the tour due to injury. Full details are below.
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
In accordance with event policies for elevated temperatures and close contacts, changes have been made to cards on the New Year’s Golden Series up to and including Friday February 11 in Sendai. We apologise for any concern and inconvenience caused, and appreciate your understanding. The following changes have been made to the next broadcast event Friday.
2nd match
YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii vs EVIL, Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi ->
Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii vs EVIL, Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi
5th match
Tiger Mask vs Taiji Ishimori ->
Tiger Mask vs Gedo
Further, after sustaining a blow to the head in Korakuen Hall on February 7, Yuto Nakashima will not be competing on events up to and including Sunday February 13 as a precautionary measure. In Sendai, the following change has been made to the kickoff match.
Yuto Nakashima & Tomoaki Honma vs Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita->
Tomoaki Honma vs Ryohei Oiwa
In addition, Jeff Cobb is currently recovering from injuries sustained in his match with Tetsuya Naito on January 5. During the bout, Cobb sustained a left patellar tendon tear and a muscle strain in his left leg. As a result, he will not be cleared to compete for the rest of the New Year’s Golden Series tour. We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Cobb wrestle, and appreciate your understanding. The following changes have been made to cards as a result:
February 11 Sendai
4th Match
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan ->
Satoshi Kojima vs Great-O-Khan
February 13 Osaka
Kickoff match
Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Kosei Fujita, Ryohei Oiwa & Yuto Nakashima ->
Ryohei Oiwa, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Kosei Fujita, Tomoaki Honma & Yuji Nagata
2nd Match
Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe vs Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan->
Togi Makabe vs Great-O-Khan
Great-O-Khan will continue to wrestle in singles matches through until the end of the series.
We join fans in wishing Jeff Cobb, and Yuto Nakashima the best in their recoveries.