NJPW postpones Global title match due to Hiroshi Tanahashi injury

Hiroshi Tanahashi won't be able to make his scheduled Global title challenge against Nic Nemeth.

NJPW had announced that Nemeth would defend the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Tanahashi at Sakura Genesis on Saturday, April 6. But Tanahashi has now been pulled from the Sakura Genesis card after further examination of an ankle injury that he suffered.

Tanahashi suffered a right ankle injury during his match against Matt Riddle at the New Beginning in Sapporo night one on February 23. Tanahashi then had to miss night two due to the injury.

Tanahashi has also been pulled from NJPW's 52nd anniversary show and the New Japan Cup tour.

NJPW wrote that the Nemeth vs. Tanahashi match will happen at a later date to be determined: 

Following further examination on an ankle injury sustained at New Beginning in Sapporo, Hiroshi Tanahashi will be absent from the New Japan Cup series, as well as Sakura Genesis on April 6 to allow for a full recovery.

His previously announced IWGP Global Championship match will be delayed until a later date to be determined.

We apologize to fans looking forward to seeing Tanahashi wrestle and appreciate your understanding. 

Tanahashi lost the NJPW World Television Championship to Riddle at the New Beginning in Sapporo night one. That same night, Nemeth won the Global title from David Finlay. The match was Nemeth's NJPW in-ring debut.

The Sakura Genesis match against Tanahashi was set to be Nemeth's first title defense. Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler, was released by WWE in September 2023.