Hiroyoshi Tenzan Suffers Knee Injury

Hiroyoshi Tenzan has been pulled from active competition after suffering a knee injury.

Tenzan was scheduled to wrestle on the September 16 new Japan Pro-Wrestling Road to Destruction show at Hokkai Kitayell in Sapporo, Japan, but was withdrawn from competition. NJPW made the announcement in a statement on their website, noting that Tenzan will miss the remainder of the tour.

Tenzan teamed with Katsuya Murashima in a loss to TMDK’s Zack Sabre Jr. and Kosei Fujita on September 9, whilst Tenzan would later compete in a Ranbo on the September 14 date. There’s no word on when Tenzan suffered the injury to his right knee nor how long he is expected to be on the shelf.

The multi-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion has been dealing with persistent knee problems for several years, with problems last flaring up in early 2022.

As well as the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Tenzan is also a former NWA Worlds heavyweight Champion, and was a member of NWO Japan as part of NJPW’s partnership with WCW in the late 90s. Tenzan is also a renowned tag specialist in NJPW, having reigned as IWGP Tag Tag Champion on 12 occasions, enjoying six runs with Tencozy partner Satoshi Kojima, five runs with Cho-Ten partner Masahiro Chono, and one with Osamu Nishimora.