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New Japan Pro Wrestling announced:
El Desperado injured; Yasuda set as substitute in statement
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
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 apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Desperado compete, and appreciate your understanding. In a video released on YouTube, Desperado stated:
"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.
The pain started coming around June, and the last couple of months, I would be waking up around 4AM in pain with my left leg. I started taking painkillers after meals but was still able to wrestle that way, and as I tend to think, I figured I could get through to the end of the year. I said I could still wrestle, but I was taking the issue far too lightly. My body had reached its limits. My apologies, again.
For this Super Jr. Tag League, Mistico was scheduled to wrestle with me, and we can't just send him back with nothing to say for it, so I have chosen (Masatora) Yasuda to replace me. Some of you might think 'with your connections you can come up with a bigger name than a Young Lion,' but I'd like for you to think of this as a key step to the future of NJPW.
Right now, (Shoma) Kato and (Katsuya) Murashima are on excursion. It's a vital time for a young wrestler to not just gain experience in the ring, but in life and living in a variety of environments. When they come back, maybe it will be Yasuda and (Daiki) Nagai's turn to go, and I don't know when that might be. But from just an in ring perspective, Nagai has been able to get semi and main event bookings through being in Unbound Co., while Yasuda hasn't had as many chances. 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.
In the past, Yasuda was critical on social media of a Young Lion being put into Best of the Super Jr. Talking to him at the time, I understood how much value he put in the brand and the significance of a BOSJ entry. I thought he was being a pain in the ass, but at the same time I liked that he felt that strongly about it. Maybe this leaves him a little conflicted. I understand how he feels, but at the same time, if you have an opportunity dangling in front of you in your career, you're wrong not to seize it, and I want him to seize something by teaming with Mistico in this series.
And don't worry about Mistico. Even with his partner like this, he'll show up for the fans like Mistico always does. I have complete trust in him.
So that's it. I'm off Super Jr. Tag League, and Yasuda is in. Ah, and as for (November 9 Shin Kiba 1st Ring produce event) 'Gaspe' Invitational. I can't move, but my desire to see something truly horrific trumps all that, so we'll be going ahead as planned. Show up."
New Japan Pro-Wrestling joins fans in wishing Desperado a speedy, full recovery.
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