Sports · Other Sports · 5 hrs ago
El Desperado Withdraws From NJPW Tag League With Spinal Condition
El Desperado has withdrawn from New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Super Junior Tag League after being diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and a hernia.
The wrestler said pain and weakness in his left leg have left him unable to stand, walk or sit upright for long periods.
He had been due to compete with Mistico, and the pair are the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
Masatora Yasuda will replace Desperado as Mistico’s partner in the tournament.
Desperado said he had continued wrestling as his symptoms worsened, but later realised he had underestimated the problem.
The tournament starts October 24 and its final is November 3, with the winning team earning a trophy and a chance to challenge for the IWGP Tag Team titles.
No return date has been announced for Desperado, though he said a show he is producing on November 9 will still go ahead.
El Desperado has withdrawn from NJPW Super Junior Tag League 2026 after being diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and a hernia.
NJPW said he would be unable to compete in the tournament.
Masatora Yasuda will replace him and team with Mistico.
Desperado said pain and weakness in his left leg made it difficult to stand, walk or sit upright for long periods.
The tournament is scheduled to run from October 24 to November 3.
- Who
- El Desperado is withdrawing; Masatora Yasuda will replace him as Mistico’s partner.
- What
- Desperado will miss NJPW Super Junior Tag League 2026 after a diagnosis of spinal canal stenosis and a hernia.
- When
- The announcement was made on October 22, 2026. The tournament begins October 24.
- Where
- The tournament is an NJPW event; its opening tour is scheduled to begin in Saitama.
- Why
- Desperado said pain and weakness in his left leg have left him unable to stand, walk or sit upright for long periods.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Desperado said he began noticing strange sensations in his left glute.
Desperado said he began experiencing tingling in his legs.
Desperado said pain began.
NJPW announced that Desperado would miss the tournament and that Yasuda would replace him as Mistico’s partner.
The tournament is scheduled to begin.
The tournament finals are scheduled for Power Struggle.
- Diagnosis
- Spinal canal stenosis and a hernia
- Replacement partner
- Masatora Yasuda
- Original partner
- Mistico
- Tournament start
- October 24, 2026
- Finals
- November 3, 2026, at Power Struggle
3 sources
What people are saying
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.
I said I could still wrestle, but I was taking the issue far too lightly. My body had reached its limits.
So I want to give Yasuda this opportunity to team alongside a global megastar like Mistico, and to see what he can make of this spot.