NJPW Wrestling Dontaku notes: Changes to 5/4 card, Wrestle Grand Slam

Will Ospreay moving towards a title defense against Kazuchika Okada and changes were made to the 5/4 Wrestling Dontaku card

Photo Courtesy: New Japan Pro-Wrestling

The May 4th NJPW Wrestling Dontaku match card underwent several changes before the show began. One wrestler who was scheduled for the show came down with a fever the morning of. That individual underwent a rapid COVID test and an antibody test. Another wrestler who has been a part of NJPW events since May 1st had a fever as well.

With those developments, the following changes were made to the May 4th show and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title match between champion El Desperado and YOH was removed.

2nd Match

Kazuchika Okada & SHO vs Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

(NEW) Master Wato & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Taiji Ishimori & Yujiro Takahashi

4th Match

Master Wato, Ryusuke taguchi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Dick Togo, Taiji Ishimori, Yujiro Takahashi, EVIL & Jay White

(NEW) Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Dick Togo, EVIL & Jay White

5th Match

El Desperado vs YOH

This match was removed from the card.

Every wrestler and staff member involved in the day’s event was in full health.

New Japan Pro-Wresting continues to take every step possible to protect wrestlers, staff and fans during the pandemic. All NJPW wrestlers are subject to regular testing, and masks are compulsory during training and backstage. Further, wrestlers keep outside interactions to the barest minimum, with packaged food provided at venues. Find out more about our COVID event policy here.

 We deeply apologise for any inconvenience or concern caused.

In the main event of Wrestling Dontaku night two, Will Ospreay successfully defended his IWGP World Heavyweight Title against Shingo Takagi. Ospreay is now moving towards Wrestle Grand Slam at the Tokyo Dome on May 29th where he will meet Kazuchika Okada.

About Andrew Thompson 9630 Articles
A Washington D.C. native and graduate of Norfolk State University, Andrew Thompson has been covering wrestling since 2017.