Summary

AJPW has removed Cyrus from the 2026 Champion Carnival after the promotion said it was unable to contact him directly during preparations for the tournament.

The company stated that it had already confirmed the tournament schedule, flight information, accommodations and compensation with Cyrus, then moved forward with arrival plans and visa arrangements. AJPW later said communication stopped, and Cyrus' representation informed the promotion that his ticket to Japan had been cancelled.

With the tournament set to begin on April 12, AJPW has now ruled Cyrus out of the field and said his replacement will be announced on April 9.

What Cyrus' removal means for AJPW's tournament field

Cyrus being pulled this close to the start date leaves AJPW needing to finalize a late replacement just days before Champion Carnival opens, which immediately changes the tournament lineup the promotion had already announced.

It also puts extra attention on the April 9 replacement announcement because that choice will directly shape one of AJPW's key spring events.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.