NJPW has confirmed that Will Ospreay has been pulled from the NJPW Cup due to a shoulder injury.
Will Ospreay injures shoulder in clash with Mark Davis
The 29 year old British Superstar suffered the injury in a Second Round bout with Mark Davis on March 13th. Davis then revealed that he was the man selected by NJPW to replace him in the Quarter Final match up with EVIL.
Speaking in an impromptu press conference before the bout, Davis announced the news:
“New Japan Cup 2023. We set foot into this tournament, each member of the United Empire, and we made a pact, that this year it would be for the United Empire. Now the reason I’m standing here is to deliver some deeply unfortunate news, and that is that Will Ospreay has to forfeit his place in the New Japan Cup.
I’m deeply saddened to be the one to have to tell you, but I’m more motivated than ever to take his place in the tournament, and to take home that New Japan Cup for the United Empire. So on the 17th, Tokyo, Korakuen Hall, EVIL- it’s not Will Ospreay you’re going to be facing. It’s Dunkzilla Davis, and I’m taking this one home for the United Empire”.
Davis would defeat EVIL on March 17th and advance to the Semi Finals where he ultimately fell to defeat against SANADA. The Japanese star will meet David Finlay in the Final on March 21st after he saw off Tama Tonga in the second Semi Final.
It is yet to be known how long Ospreay will be sidelined for. Ospreay is widely recognized as one of the most gifted performers of his generation, but has also caused some controversy with his comments landing him in notable social media feuds with the likes of Seth Rollins, Kevin Nash and Kenny Omega.