Jay Lethal will replace the injured Michael Elgin, who has a fractured orbital bone, in the main event of New Japan Pro Wrestling's Power Struggle event next month.
The originally scheduled main event for the November 5 show had Tetsuya Naito defending the IWGP Intercontinental Title against Elgin, who he beat to become champion last month in the headliner of NJPW's Destruction in Kobe event. Now, Lethal will get the title shot.
Elgin suffered the injury during an eight-man tag match against Naito and his Los Ingobernables de Japon stable at NJPW's King of Pro Wrestling event held Monday in Sumo Hall. Posting a video update on his status, Elgin said he would remain in Japan and undergo surgery to repair his eye socket.
Lethal and Naito are familiar with one another. They have been both partners and opponents in Ring Of Honor, and Lethal defeated Naito in a non-title match at ROH's last iPPV, All-Star Extravaganza VIII, held August 30 in Lowell, Mass.
Here is the current updated announced card for Power Struggle.
--Tetsuya Naito defends the IWGP Intercontinental Title vs. Jay Lethal
--Guerrillas of Destiny defend the IWGP Tag Titles vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi)
--BUSHI defends the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title vs. KUSHIDA
--Katsuyori Shibata defends the NEVER Openweight Title vs. EVIL
--Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Sanada
The finals of the 2016 Super Junior Tag Tournament also will take place.
The Super Junior tag tourney begins October 21, with the semifinals set for October 30. Here are the first-round matchups:
Young Bucks (IWGP Junior Tag Champs) vs. ACH & Taiji Ishimori
David Finlay, Jr. & Ricochet vs. CHAOS (Gedo & WIll Ospreay)
Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta) vs. Angel de Oro & Titan
Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask IV vs. Fuego & Ryusuke Taguchi
