Ex-World Champion Taking Indefinite Leave From NJPW

A former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is on his way out of NJPW.

In April 2023, Los Ingobernables de Japon member SANADA shocked New Japan Pro Wrestling when he captured the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis. SANADA went on to successfully defend his gold against the likes of Hiromu Takahashi, Yota Tsuji, AEW’s Jack Perry, and his former tag team partner EVIL.

At Wrestle Kingdom 18 in 2024, SANADA lost the gold to his leader in Los Ingobernables de Japon, Tetsuya Naito. LIJ soon went their separate ways, with SANADA joining up with Just 5 Guys before later joining the hated House of Torture.

At New Year’s Dash on January 5th, SANADA hinted he was on his way out of New Japan Pro Wrestling, carrying a guitar that bore the message “Goodbye NJPW.” After his match on that show, he said:

I’m leaving this ring for good today. I’m going on a journey.

NJPW Confirms SANADA’s Leave

NJPW has now issued a brief statement confirming that SANADA is going on a leave of absence effective immediately:

Effective January 6, SANADA is on an indefinite leave of absence from competition. No return date is determined at this time. We apologise to fans looking forward to seeing SANADA wrestle, and appreciate your understanding.

It remains to be seen what this means for SANADA’s career and if he will return to NJPW at any point. His former LIJ teammates Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI both left NJPW in 2025, and they have since won the GHC Tag Team Championship in Pro Wrestling NOAH.