Report: WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura injured by California police dog
WWE was forced to pull Shinsuke Nakamura from one of its featured matches on “Smackdown Live” on Tuesday night after the Japanese star was allegedly bitten by a police dog in Bakersfield, Calif.
According to Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, Nakamura sustained the injury on Monday night during a house show and was subsequently pulled from his scheduled United States Championship match against Jeff Hardy.
From @davemeltzerWON: Shinsuke Nakamura was bit in the leg by a police dog at the arena in Bakersfield yesterday. https://t.co/94msXrM9Sf
— Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) June 26, 2018
Few other details were immediately available about the severity of the injury or the alleged incident itself.
WWE announced the change on social media Tuesday afternoon, but was deliberately vague with regard to how Nakamura was hurt. During “Smackdown Live,” announcer Tom Phillips addressed the incident as well.
Yahoo Sports reached out to both WWE and the Bakersfield Police Department and is awaiting comment.
The injury wasn’t only a significant blow to Tuesday’s television program, but also planned events this weekend in Asia, including one in Nakamura’s native Japan.
WWE has two live shows this weekend, one in Kyoto and the other in Taipei. Meltzer reported it was “uncertain” if the injury would impact Nakamura’s ability to perform at either or both of the shows.
