Despite hyping it during commercials throughout Monday Night Raw last night, WWE has canceled the match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Jeff Hardy for the United States Championship on SmackDown Live tonight. WWE announced that Nakamura has not been medically cleared to compete in a video on social media today.
EXCLUSIVE: Unfortunately, @ShinsukeN sustained an injury last night and is not medically cleared to compete. However, #USChampion @JEFFHARDYBRAND will issue a #USOpenChallenge TONIGHT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/1wefUTFRRM
— WWE (@WWE) June 26, 2018
WWE was promoting the match as recently as this morning:
Will @ShinsukeN capture the #USTitle from @JEFFHARDYBRAND? Find out TONIGHT on #SDLive at 8/7c on @USA_Network! https://t.co/Z6Ss5rrAM1
— WWE (@WWE) June 26, 2018
According to Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, Nakamura was reportedly bitten by a police dog at an arena in Bakersfield, CA last night.
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
Jeff Hardy will issue an open challenge for the U.S. Championship on SmackDown Live tonight, in place of the scheduled match. Who do you think will answer the question?
Our money is on the dog.