Shota Umino Misses NJPW New Japan Soul Due To Back Injury

New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Shota Umino was forced to miss the company's Soul show in Sapporo on Sunday.

It was revealed shortly before the event that Shota would not be able to perform due to a back injury. New Japan sent out a statement that read (translated):

"Shota Umino, who was scheduled to participate in the "NEW JAPAN SOUL" Sapporo tournament held today, will also be absent due to a back injury. Due to this, there will be some changes to the fight card. We apologise for the sudden announcement and thank you for your understanding".

A scheduled six-man tag was subsequently changed to a regular tag match as a result.

In their Daily Update, F4WOnline noted that it is believed Umino suffered the injury during his match with Rocky Romero at the AEW Rampage taping on June 12. The site added that they had been told that the match's referee and Doc Sampson were talking about an injury after the bout, but that Umino did walk out on his own.

The 27-year-old made his AEW television debut on the May 29 edition of Dynamite, when he was a surprise entrant in the Forbidden Door Casino Gauntlet Match (which was ultimately won by Will Ospreay).