NJPW has announced that IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion El Desperado will miss Super Jr. Tag League 2026 due to spinal canal stenosis and a hernia.
The symptoms started earlier this year and got worse despite painkillers, leaving his left leg weak and making it hard for him to sit, stand, or walk. El Desperado apologized and picked Young Lion Masatora Yasuda to team with Mistico in Block A, calling it an investment in NJPW’s future. There’s no word yet on when he’ll return.
The tournament kicks off October 24 in Saitama, with the block winners meeting at Power Struggle on November 3.
NJPW said: “El Desperado, who was scheduled to wrestle through the Super Jr. Tag League tour that begins Saturday in Saitama, will be unable to compete due to a diagnosis of spinal canal stenosis and a hernia. We apologize to fans who were looking forward to seeing Desperado compete and appreciate your understanding.”
El Desperado said: “My sincerest apologies, but I will not be appearing at Super Jr. Tag League. I’m currently dealing with spinal canal stenosis and a hernia. My left leg has no strength, and with the pain and pins and needles, I’m currently unable to stand, walk, or even sit upright for long periods of time. From the start of this year I’d noticed some strange sensations in my left glute, and there was some tingling in my legs from around March. At that point I expressed to the company that I was having some symptoms but that I had no issues with strength or anything like that and asked to continue wrestling while staying in contact with the medical and training staff.”
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