Latest Update On Crowd Noise Returning To NJPW Shows
When will shows truly go back to normal for New Japan Pro Wrestling?
New Japan Pro Wrestling officials hope that restrictions preventing audience members from chanting, cheering, and generally making noise using their mouths will be lifted in the near future.
Following on from the company's English language play-by-play announcer Kevin Kelly's claims that attendees could be allowed to cheer again by 3 June's Best of the Super Jr. 29 finals, Dave Meltzer has confirmed that NJPW is hopeful of things returning to normal by this date.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer stated that if not 3 June, NJPW hopes for restrictions to be lifted by 12 June's Dominion 6.12 event, traditionally one of the biggest shows of the year in Japan.
Takaai Kidani, founder of NJPW parent company Bushiroad, recently told Tokyo Sports the following:-
"I don't know if the entire venue will be vacant or the area will be vacated, but if it is in time, New Japan may do it at the upcoming Nippon Budokan (June 3rd). I wonder if it is possible. If possible, [we would] consider introducing it as soon as possible."
Restrictions on crowd noise at live events have been in place for the bulk of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the measure designed to mitigate the risk of transmission. 2020 saw the term "clap crowds" coined by overseas wrestling fans to describe these new, diminished atmospheres, in which clapping is all audiences can realistically do to react to shows.