Hirooki Goto to miss upcoming NJPW event due to injury

Hirooki Goto is out of action.

One day after losing the IWGP World Championship, NJPW announced that Goto would be unable to compete on their upcoming July 4 card, citing an elbow injury.

“Hirooki Goto, who competed with Zack Sabre Jr. over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in Nagoya June 29, sustained an injury to his right elbow during the match, and as a result will be absent from competition on July 4 in the Tokyo Budokan. We apologise to fans looking forward to seeing Goto wrestle, and appreciate your understanding,” their website read.

In a surprise, Goto lost the IWGP World title back to Zack Sabre Jr. on Sunday during the Tanahashi Jam event that aired exclusively on Japanese television. NJPW’s website described the finish:

“As both came to their feet, Goto tried again and again to bring Sabre down with left sided lariats, but ZSJ’s right did so with authority. A Sabre Driver, followed by the You’ve Been Tangoed Edition saw Goto incredibly kick out only to be trapped in another armbar, and this time Goto had no hope of making the rope. Unno called for the bell and Sabre claimed the world title for a second time.”

Goto had held the title for 138 days, defeating Sabre on February 11. The two met in a rematch at NJPW Resurgence back in May that ended in a double pinfall, leaving Goto as champion and Sabre unhappy.