Tiger Jeet Singh’s return to Japan after a 14-year absence resulted in a spectator being taken to the hospital after being struck on the forehead by the 82-year-old wrestling legend’s sword during an event at Yoyogi National Stadium Gymnasium No. 2 in Shibuya, Japan, on October 17, wrestlingnewssource.com reported.
The Incident at Megumi Kudo’s Anniversary Show
The incident occurred during Megumi Kudo’s 40th anniversary event, where Singh appeared as a special observer for the pre-main event. That match featured Masakatsu Funaki and Tatsumi Fujinami defeating Mitsuya Nagai and Shiro Koshinaka. As Singh walked to the ring alongside his son, Tiger Ali Singh, and his grandson, the veteran wrestler broke away from his family group and moved toward the crowd while swinging his signature sabre.
Although his son intervened and brought him under control, a spectator was accidentally struck on the forehead during the commotion. Ringside doctors provided immediate medical attention to the injured fan before an ambulance transported the individual to a hospital. Organizers later confirmed that the spectator sustained only a minor injury.
Conflicting Responses From Organizers and Performers
Speaking at the post-show press conference, Megumi Kudo offered an apology and accepted responsibility for shortcomings in the venue setup.
HISTORY MADE IN JAPAN🇯🇵🐯 For the first time in the history of professional wrestling,THREE GENERATIONS TOOK TO THE RING TOGETHER.A legacy spanning decades,And right now…TIGERS ARE TRENDING IN JAPAN! pic.twitter.com/26aLWefqLW
“I believe there were shortcomings in our corner team setup. I deeply apologize for injuring the fans who came to enjoy the show. I’m truly sorry. I think you were able to see the Shin you all wanted to see. However, I’m truly sorry that he (the fan) got injured. As an organization, we will do everything we can to address the situation.”
Tiger Jeet Singh addressed the matter differently in an interview with Tokyo Sports, placing the burden on the spectator.
“It was a mistake for him to be in front of me. It’s his fault. You know that, right? All he had to do was get out of my way.”
Tiger Ali Singh echoed that sentiment, noting that venue announcers issued repeated warnings prior to the incident.
“The announcer was saying, ‘Please be careful!’ They were warning him it was dangerous, but he didn’t move out of the way. I’m sure he won’t make the same mistake again. Just like my father said, this was an accident.”
Historical Context of a Villainous Career
Tiger Jeet Singh established his reputation as one of professional wrestling’s most iconic villains through extensive work across North America and Japan. His legendary rivalry with Antonio Inoki in New Japan Pro-Wrestling throughout the 1970s remains a defining chapter of his career. Later, he made a brief appearance in the World Wrestling Federation in 1997 serving as his son’s manager.
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Yoyogi National Stadium Gymnasium No. 2, Shibuya, Japan |
| Occasion | Megumi Kudo’s 40th Anniversary Event |
| Injury Status | Minor forehead injury, transported to hospital by ambulance |
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