Tomohiro Ishii Removed From NJPW Cup Tournament Due To Neck Injury

Tomohiro Ishii has been pulled from New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s New Japan Cup tournament due to a neck injury.

Ishii received a bye in the first round and was set to face the winner of Ren Narita vs. Taichi on March 12, however Ishii will replaced on the tour by Satoshi Kojima, with NJPW posting the following announcement on their website:



“Tomohiro Ishii, who was scheduled to wrestle in the New Japan Cup this month after a first round bye, has sustained a neck injury and will be absent for the duration of the tour. We apologise to fans looking forward to seeing Ishii wrestle and appreciate your understanding. Satoshi Kojima will substitute for Ishii during the New Japan Cup tournament, and will face the winner of Ren Narita and Taichi in round two on March 12 in Takamatsu. NJPW joins fans in wishing Ishii a speedy, full recovery.”

The ‘Stone Pitbull’ recently dropped the NJPW STRONG Openweight title to Boltin Oleg. The former CHAOS member only recently returned to the ring at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, having missed time due to suffering a dislocated right shoulder whilst working for All Elite Wrestling in October 2025. It was feared in February that Ishii may have suffered a torn hamstring working for AEW, but luckily Ishii 'dodged a bullet' on that occasion.