Taichi Forced To Withdraw From Today’s NJPW Road to Destruction Event Due to Illness

NJPW wrestler Taichi was forced to withdraw from today’s NJPW Road to Destruction event due to an undisclosed illness. Taichi was originally scheduled to compete in an eight-man tag team match, teaming with Mistico, El Desperado, and Shota Umino against the team of DOUKI, SHO, Dick Togo, and Shun Skywalker.

NJPW announced ahead of the event, “Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Taichi, who was scheduled to compete on September 22’s Battle Line Hokkaido- Road to Destruction event, will be unable to appear due to ill health. We apologize to fans who were looking forward to seeing Taichi wrestle, and appreciate your understanding.”

Due to the change, Dick Togo and Taichi were pulled from the tag team bout, which was shifted to a six-man tag team match. El Desperado, Mistico & Shota Umino were ultimately victorious over SHO, DOUKI, and Shun Skywalker.

The former IWGP Tag Team Champion later commented on his withdrawal via social media, apologizing to fans. He wrote (via Google Translate), “I’m shocked that I’ve ended up having to sit this one out… I really wanted to run the full distance all the way to Sapporo and race through the Hokkaido series with everyone in Hokkaido, but I’m truly, deeply sorry… I’ll do my best to recover quickly so I can get back soon. Please take care of your health too, everyone.”

You can view New Japan’s announcement and Taichi’s comments below:

【お知らせ】
タイチ選手が体調不良により、9月22日 (火・祝)北海道・よつ葉アリーナ十勝大会を欠場。一部対戦カードが変更となりますhttps://t.co/Y3cZwwkZ4j#njdest pic.twitter.com/4xgTRQqIsH

— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) September 22, 2026

欠場になってしまって
自分自身が驚いてます…

札幌まで完走して北海道の皆さんと北海道シリーズを駆け抜けたかったですが、

本当に申し訳ございません…

早く戻れるよう回復に努めます

皆さんも体調管理
お気を付けください https://t.co/hH4dzuveyG

— タイチ (@taichi0319) September 22, 2026