SANADA returns to NJPW and attacks Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestling Dontaku

SANADA is back in NJPW after his prolonged absence, and he did it in the first match of Wrestling Dontaku this Monday morning. After Konosuke Takeshita retained the NJPW World Television Championship against Chase Owens, the same suit-clad figure that had already been seen at Sakura Genesis appeared, and ended up attacking the champion with the Skull End before revealing his identity.

Once Takeshita was left on the mat, SANADA left carrying the bag containing the television title. The scene marks his official return after taking an indefinite leave of absence at the beginning of January.

SANADA's temporary departure came after New Year Dash, where he had already hinted at his goodbye with a guitar displaying the message "goodbye NJPW." Shortly after, NJPW confirmed that the former world champion was out of competition with no scheduled return date.

The return adds another layer to SANADA's story, who since 2023 has gone through several faction changes, first leaving Los Ingobernables de Japon to join Just 5 Guys, then turning towards Bullet Club War Dogs, and finally joining House of Torture. Now he returns to the scene with a clear goal and with the television championship already at the center of his new chapter.