SANADA taking indefinite leave of absence from NJPW
SANADA is taking a leave of absence.
In a short statement on Tuesday morning, the company confirmed that the former IWGP World Champion would be taking an indefinite 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,” they wrote.
SANADA had hinted in recent days that he was perhaps leaving the company, carrying a guitar with the message “goodbye NJPW” at New Year Dash. In post match comments, he went further by saying he was taking his leave.
“I’m leaving this ring for good today,” SANADA said following his match. “I’m going on a journey.”
Joining NJPW in 2016, SANADA gained fame by being a member of Los Ingobernables de Japon. In 2023, he chose to leave the group and joined Just Five Guys, where he found success as IWGP World Champion. He betrayed that group the following year and joined the Bullet Club War Dogs. When they and the House of Torture had their split in 2025, SANADA chose the latter group.
Bryan Rose is an editor from California that has been covering professional wrestling for well over a decade. He officially joined F4WOnline as an editor in 2017.