New Japan has announced an injury absence for the upcoming tour, and it’s a major one with potential title implications because it’s El Desperado. Back & leg (spinal canal stenosis & lumbar disc herniation). This apparently started in March but he decided to compete through it even as it got worse. Out indefinitely but will miss at least the entire Super Junior Tag League, which means at least 2 weeks and possibly longer. He was to have teamed with Mistico in the tournament. Masatora Yasuda is the replacement. The other concern is that Desperado & Mistico are the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions so if it’s long-term, or at least to past Tokyo Dome on 1/4, they may have to vacate the titles. He does plan to at least appear at his next produced event on 11/9 but it’s not yet known how long he may be out.
More as it becomes available.