A major shakeup has hit New Japan Pro-Wrestling as one of its top stars steps away from the ring.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, NJPW confirmed that SANADA is taking an “indefinite leave of absence” effective immediately. The announcement comes just a day after the New Year Dash event, where SANADA dropped massive hints about his future.
“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,” the statement read.
The departure was foreshadowed during New Year Dash, where SANADA appeared carrying a guitar emblazoned with the message “Goodbye NJPW.” Following his match, he elaborated on his intentions in a backstage comment that felt remarkably final.
“I’m leaving this ring for good today,” SANADA said. “I’m going on a journey.”
SANADA’s tenure in NJPW has been defined by evolution. After joining the company in 2016, he rose to prominence as the stoic “Cold Skull” of Los Ingobernables de Japon. In 2023, he made the bold decision to leave the faction, joining Just Five Guys and capturing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, reaching the pinnacle of the sport. However, his path grew darker in 2024 when he betrayed J5G to join the Bullet Club War Dogs. Most recently, following the split between War Dogs and House of Torture in 2025, SANADA aligned himself with the latter, a move that alienated many fans but kept him in the spotlight.
Now, that spotlight has dimmed. It remains unclear if this “journey” implies a move to another promotion or a legitimate break from professional wrestling entirely. Given the definitive nature of his “goodbye” message, speculation is already rampant about where the 37-year-old might surface next.
With the New Beginning tour set to kick off in February, NJPW will have to move forward without one of its most versatile main eventers. The void left by SANADA opens up a spot in the upper card for rising stars like Yota Tsuji or Shota Umino to claim.
