Tajiri cancels indie booking due to new Japanese travel restrictions

Tajiri WWE
Image: WWE

Newly instituted travel guidelines have forced Tajiri to cancel an upcoming indie booking.

The former WWE and ECW wrestler was set to be in the United Kingdom for Pro Wrestling Chaos on April 18. However, he has now been forced to pull out of the booking just a few days after it was announced. Tajiri’s flight would have taken him over Middle Eastern airspace, which the Japanese government has advised against due to the worsening situation in the region amid the conflict between the United States & Israel and Iran.

Pro Wrestling Chaos is operated by wrestlers Flash Morgan Webster and “Wild Boar” Mike Hitchman. They put out a statement addressing Tajiri’s cancellation and offering refunds to any fans who no longer wish to attend the show:

  • Hi everyone, unfortunately less than 72hrs after we announced Tajiri for our April 18th show, the Japanese government advised all [citizens] not to travel over or between middle eastern airspace due to the on going conflict in Iran. Which of course meant Tajiri’s booked flight is no longer an option.
  • We have spent the last 5 days exhausting all options regarding this. But of course it being mania weekend meant that replacement wrestlers of equal standing are already booked in vegas and alternative flights are completely out of budget.
  • So with that in mind we are out of options and Tajiri or an alternative won’t be at our show on April 18th.
  • All Tajiri meet and greets will be refunded, and anyone who has tickets for the show on April 18th who no longer want to attend please contact us and we will also issue you a full refund.

This booking was part of a two-week trip Tajiri had planned to England where he was schedule to wrestle and hold seminars. A former WWE Cruiserweight Champion, he has continued his career in Japan after most recently appearing for WWE in 2016-2017 around the Cruiserweight Classic. He also had a Middleweight title reign for MLW in 2021-2022.

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Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.