Nakamura suffers odd injury, may miss Smackdown and other dates

In what seemed to be a ridiculous internet rumor at first, it is now being reported that Shinsuke Nakamura was, in fact, was bitten by a dog backstage tonight during a Smackdown house show in Bakersfield, California. He did not appear during the show tonight and, as of now, it is being suggested that his planned match with Jeff Hardy tomorrow night and his upcoming appearances for the WWE Japan tour this weekend could be in jeopardy. We will update with details as they are made available.

6/26 UPDATE : The following statement was made by the Reno Sheriff's Departme---uh---i mean---the Bakersfield Police Department to the Wrestling Observer regarding the incident: On Monday, June 25, 2018, officers of the Bakersfield Police Department Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team were conducting a protective sweep of the Rabobank Arena in preparation for the WWE Live Summerslam Heatwave Tour.

During the sweep, the EOD Team, which consisted of an explosive detection trained canine team and bomb technicians entered an area of the arena where an employee of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was present. The canine entered the room to sweep for the presence of any explosive material. As the sweep took place the WWE employee was accidentally bit by the canine. The employee sustained an injury to his lower left leg. Medical aid was immediately summoned to the scene and the employee was transported to a local area hospital for medical treatment.