Recent Bandido Absences Explained

Why did Bandido miss a couple of weekend shows in Mexico? The answer, thankfully, is neither dramatic nor alarming.

Per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the double-masked luchador merely has a minor hand injury. It was expected, and he’s not expected to be sidelined long.

In that same issue, Bandido fares extremely well in the readers’ polls for 2025. Observer readers voted him the #2 Most Outstanding Wrestler, just under Konosuke Takeshita. His team of “Brodido” with Brody King came in at #3 for Tag Team of the Year, underneath the Young Bucks and FTR. His star power likely contributed to CMLL being named Top Promotion, while his match with Takeshita for the Ring of Honor title was #2 Match of the Year, second only to Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd at the Tokyo Dome. In categories where he did not place, he was frequently a runner-up or honorable mention, marking him as a clear favorite overall among Observer readers.

MJF’s recent beatdown of Bandido feels like a tacit acknowledgement of his rising star power. As much of an acknowledgement as one can get from MJF, at least. Bandido is a former Pro Wrestling Guerilla and Ring of Honor World Champion — at only 30, he presumably has more ahead.