WWE Superstar Karl Anderson put the NEVER Openweight Title on the line against Tama Tonga at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. Tonga defeated Anderson to win the title for the second time in his career. The event marked the first time a WWE-contracted wrestler wrestled for NJPW.
Fightful Select reports that according to Rocky Romero, AJ Styles could have appeared at Wrestle Kingdom 17 as there were talks about bringing The Phenomenal One to Japan. Styles himself thought it would be a fun idea.
However, a week before the event, Styles suffered a broken ankle and has been on the shelf since then. Romero noted that despite being considered for the show, NJPW never had any specific plans for Styles to appear at Wrestle Kingdom 17. The former WWE Champion ultimately did not participate in the show.
While Luke Gallows could’ve accompanied Anderson to Japan, NJPW made the call not to include him on the show.
