Young Bucks’ NJPW Title Match In Disarray
Injury has caused chaos for The Young Bucks’ upcoming return to NJPW.
Back in November, The Young Bucks interrupted New Japan’s World Tag League to announce their return to the promotion. The AEW EVPs had a legendary run in New Japan and still hold the record for most reigns with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles having held the gold seven times while part of Bullet Club. In 2018, the duo also captured the company’s Heavyweight Tag Titles for a three-month run before they were dethroned by Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, who have since joined The Bloodline in WWE.
At World Tag League, the Bucks laid down a challenge for current Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Great-O-Khan and HENARE to put the gold on the line at the cross-promotional Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5th in the Tokyo Dome.
Changes Made For Young Bucks’ NJPW Return
While the United Empire team accepted the challenge, the match will no longer be possible as HENARE has suffered a knee injury that will leave him out of action for some time. As a result the titles have been vacated. However, NJPW has now announced that O-Khan will face Matthew and Nicholas Jackson for the titles with “a partner of his choosing.”
OFFICIAL
As a result of HENARE's injury, HENARE and Great-O-Khan have vacated the IWGP Tag team Championships.
O-Khan and a partner of his choice will now face the Young Bucks to determine new champions at #wrestledynasty!https://t.co/yBNC4wwcg7#njpw#njWDpic.twitter.com/EThQvx3ipC
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) December 9, 2024
Whichever team wins the vacant gold, they already have a formidable challenge lined up as the Los Ingobernables De Japon team of Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi emerged victorious from World Tag League, meaning they can challenge for the Tag Titles when they choose.
The Bucks aren’t the only EVPs in action on January 5th, as Kenny Omega will make his in-ring return at Wrestle Dynasty. After over a year on the shelf due to a serious illness, Omega will take on Gabe Kidd, one of New Japan’s fastest rising stars and the current STRONG Openweight Champion.