NJPW have made the decision to cancel the match.
On November 5th 2022, Karl Anderson was scheduled to work two events on the same day. One being for WWE at Crown Jewel, where Anderson has said he will be on that date, as well as a NJPW Battle Autumn show on the same day, where he would defend the NEVER Openweight Championship.
NJPW has issued a new statement saying they had no choice but to cancel the planned match for November 5.
Despite extensive efforts by New Japan Pro-Wrestling to negotiate with Karl Anderson regarding his scheduled match in Osaka at Battle Autumn on November 5, NJPW officials have still been met with no response, and have been left with no other option but to cancel the planned NEVER Openweight Championship match.
We apologise to fans who had been looking forward to watching Anderson wrestle.
After a challenge from Yujiro Takahashi, and at the direct request of Hikuleo, Osaka will now see a non-title special singles match between Yujiro Takahashi and Hikuleo.
NJPW holds its champions to the highest standard of professionalism. We deeply apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by this matter.
NJPW Statement
Time will tell if Anderson will make the title defense on another date but for now he has to worry about The Judgement Day as he along with The OC will face the faction at Crown Jewel next weekend.
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