By Oliver Taylor

Joel Redman, Lucas Steel and Davey Boy Smith Jr. will not be competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling’s Champion Carnival due to travel issues stemming from the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The three replacements are yet to be announced.

It would have been the first appearances in the tournament for Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lucas Steel. Joel Redman made his Champion Carnival debut last year.

Gianni Valletta, the only other gaijin scheduled for the tournament, was already in Japan and will subsequently retain his spot.

The full list of participants are:

Kento Miyahara

Jake Lee

Suwama

Yuma Aoyagi

Shuji Ishikawa

Takashi Sugiura

Ayato Yoshida

Hideyoshi Kamitani

Zeus

Tajiri

Yoshitatsu

KAI

Ryoji Sai

Gianni Valletta

Shigehiro Irie

TBD

TBD

TBD

The tournament is scheduled to take place over 18 shows from April 6 to May 5. Should all shows be able to continue as planned, the tournament will start and conclude in Korakuen Hall.

The company’s announcement can be seen here:

Steel has reacted to the news on Twitter, saying: “With regret, it is official that my participation in the 2020 Champion Carnival is being personally withdrawn.

“A decision that myself and my agents have decided is for the betterment on everyone’s safety right now.

“Crazy world we live in.”

With regret, it is official that my participation in the 2020 #ChampionCarnival is being personally withdrawn.



A decision that myself and my agents have decided is for the betterment on everyone’s safety right now.



Crazy world we live in. #AJPW https://t.co/aXwLLD7YvM — Lucas Steel ルーカス鋼 (@StandOut_Steel) March 25, 2020