Half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions are ineligible and out of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Super Junior Tag League. NJPW announced on their website Thursday, with El Desperado injured and a new challenger standing in for Mistico during the tournament.
According to a statement from NJPW, El Desperado is suffering from spinal canal stenosis as well as a herniated disc and will not be able to participate in the tournament, which begins on Saturday. Young Lion Masatora Yasuda will now take on Mistico.
In his own statement, El Desperado revealed that he is currently unable to walk, stand or even sit upright for long periods of time due to an injury plaguing his left leg. The star said she has been experiencing pins and needles and other strange sensations since March, but the pain started in June and has gotten worse over the past few months. He wanted to continue wrestling throughout the year, but his “body has reached its limits” and he apologized to the fans.
The champion said that NJPW fans should view Young Lion’s inclusion in the tournament as a “key step for the future of NJPW.” Desperado said he wanted to give Yasuda a chance to team alongside Mistico, who he called a “world megastar,” to see what he could do. He said he trusts Mistico to come through and show up for the fans like he always does.
The 12-team Super Junior Tag League kicks off Saturday at New Japan World for subscribers. The tournament will conclude on November 3rd at NJPW Power Struggle.