On the October 10th season premiere episode of Monday Night Raw, Karl Anderson made his shocking return to WWE alongside his long-term tag team partner Luke Gallows. The Good Brothers reunited with AJ Styles and have been by his side over the last few weeks during his feud with Finn Balor and The Judgment Day.
Arguably, the most surprising thing about Anderson’s return to WWE was the fact that he was, and remains, the reigning IWGP NEVER Openweight Champion.
Anderson has held the championship since defeating former champion Tama Tonga at NJPW’s Dominion show on 12th June 2022.
It was unclear at first whether or not ‘Machine Gun’ would relinquish the championship, particularly after he pulled out of a scheduled defence of the title on November 5th as it clashed with his appearance at WWE’s Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia.
However, it has now been revealed when Karl Anderson will next appear for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Karl Anderson Will Return To NJPW On 14th December
As revealed by Karl Anderson on his Twitter account, and later confirmed in a press release by NJPW, the original Bullet Club member will return to Japan at the Super Junior and World Tag League 2022 finals on 14th December.
Anderson will defend the IWGP NEVER Openweight Championship against Hikuleo, the man he was originally set to face on November 5th at NJPW’s Battle Autumn event.
Despite a public war of words between Anderson and New Japan since his return to WWE, reports suggest that relations between all parties are amicable behind the scenes and those involved are simply working an angle.
New Japan are believed to have known of Gallows and Anderson’s return to WWE as far back as August and are said to have plans to work with him for multiple dates going forward.