Karl Anderson‘s return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling reportedly isn’t a one-off.
On November 22, Anderson and Luke Gallows announced that they will be at the NJPW event on December 14, where “Machine Gun” will defend the NEVER Openweight Championship. Anderson’s official status with the company has been unclear since he and Gallows returned to WWE on the October 10 episode of WWE RAW. Anderson had been scheduled to defend the title against Hikuleo at the Battle Autumn event on November 5, but after WWE booked Anderson for Crown Jewel on the same day, NJPW canceled the match.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select cites sources who noted that NJPW was aware of the Good Brothers’ looming return to WWE, and the company made a plan that would allow him to work dates around his schedule with WWE. Sapp wrote that, according to these sources, the plan calls for Anderson to work beyond the December 14 show, and he is penciled in for Wrestle Kingdom 17. As previously reported, Gallows and Anderson were committed to working with NJPW “for an extended period”, prior to their return to WWE.
Indy Pro Wrestling will provide more information as it becomes available.