Taichi was forced to miss New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s September 22 Battle Line Hokkaido–Road to Destruction event due to illness. The promotion announced before the show that the former IWGP Tag Team Champion would be unable to appear, changing one of the scheduled multi-man matches on the card.

The illness was not disclosed. NJPW asked for understanding from fans following the late alteration, while Taichi later issued his own apology and said he would focus on recovering as quickly as possible.

Planned Eight-Man Match Becomes Six-Man Contest

Taichi had originally been booked to team with Mistico, El Desperado, and Shota Umino in an eight-man tag team encounter. Their opponents were scheduled to be DOUKI, SHO, Dick Togo, and Shun Skywalker.

With Taichi unavailable, the bout was reworked. Dick Togo was also removed from the match, leaving El Desperado, Mistico, and Shota Umino to face SHO, DOUKI, and Shun Skywalker in a six-man tag team match.

For more background on this topic, read DDT Universal Championship Match Set for NJPW’s October 17 Event at Taichi’s Former Middle School.

El Desperado, Mistico, and Umino went on to defeat SHO, DOUKI, and Shun Skywalker.

The original lineup had brought together several wrestlers with significant connections to the current landscape of NJPW. Taichi, Desperado, and DOUKI each carry their own rivalries and alliances into the Road to Destruction schedule, while Mistico’s presence added a major lucha libre name to the babyface side. Umino, meanwhile, remained involved in the reshaped match despite the unexpected adjustment.

On the opposing side, SHO, DOUKI, and Shun Skywalker still presented a difficult trio even without Togo. The revision did not prevent the match from serving its purpose as a featured tag contest, but it did remove Taichi from a card where fans had expected to see him during the Hokkaido run.

NJPW Confirms Taichi’s Absence

In its announcement before the event, NJPW stated:

“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.”

The wording made clear that Taichi’s absence was health-related, but NJPW did not provide a diagnosis or a timeline for his return. As a result, there is no confirmed indication yet of whether his illness will affect additional Road to Destruction dates or any future bookings beyond the September 22 event.

That distinction is important during a touring period. NJPW cards can shift quickly when a wrestler is unavailable, particularly on road shows built around combinations of singles wrestlers, tag teams, factions, and ongoing tournament or championship programs. The company was able to revise the match by moving from eight wrestlers to six, keeping the other scheduled competitors active on the show.

For now, the only confirmed change is Taichi’s withdrawal from the Battle Line Hokkaido event. Any questions surrounding his next appearance will depend on his recovery and on further announcements from NJPW.

Taichi Apologizes to Fans

Taichi addressed his absence on social media after the announcement. In comments translated through Google Translate, he expressed disappointment at being unable to take part in the Hokkaido series and offered an apology to the fans who had hoped to see him compete.

“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.”

His message reflected how much he had wanted to remain part of the tour. Rather than treating the missed appearance as a minor scheduling issue, Taichi directly acknowledged the frustration of being unable to fulfill his planned role in front of the Hokkaido crowds.

Taichi also turned the message back toward supporters by encouraging fans to look after their own health. While he did not reveal further details about his condition, his statement pointed toward an intention to return as soon as he is medically able to do so.

A Notable Absence on the Road to Destruction Tour

Taichi has long been a recognizable and versatile presence in NJPW, able to work in singles matches, faction bouts, heavyweight tags, and high-profile multi-man contests. His history as an IWGP Tag Team Champion further underlines his importance in a promotion where team competition often plays a major role in shaping larger programs.

That versatility makes an absence meaningful even when the scheduled match is successfully changed. A wrestler like Taichi can provide continuity across a touring card, whether through existing partnerships, rivalries, or simply his established connection with the audience. Missing one show does not by itself establish a long-term issue, but it does require the company to make adjustments to the immediate presentation.

The September 22 change was handled in a straightforward way. Instead of finding a replacement for Taichi and maintaining the eight-man format, NJPW removed both Taichi and Dick Togo and presented a six-man match. That approach preserved the core of the originally announced sides: Desperado, Mistico, and Umino against SHO, DOUKI, and Shun Skywalker.

The eventual result also gave Desperado, Mistico, and Umino a win despite the altered format. For SHO, DOUKI, and Skywalker, the loss came in a match that had been changed shortly before bell time, rather than in the eight-man contest initially advertised.

As with any revised road-show card, the outcome can stand on its own while the larger significance remains dependent on what follows. There has been no announced injury, no stated storyline explanation, and no confirmed indication that Taichi’s withdrawal will lead to a broader change in direction. The available information identifies illness as the reason for his absence and nothing more.

What Comes Next

Attention will now turn to Taichi’s recovery and whether he is cleared to resume his schedule during the remainder of the Road to Destruction run. NJPW’s initial statement did not establish a return date, and Taichi likewise did not attach a timetable to his own message.

Until more is announced, the most accurate reading is that Taichi missed the September 22 Battle Line Hokkaido event because of ill health, with the promotion and the wrestler both expressing regret to fans. NJPW retained six of the originally scheduled participants in a revised tag team match, and El Desperado, Mistico, and Shota Umino defeated SHO, DOUKI, and Shun Skywalker.

For Taichi, the immediate priority is recovery. His comments made clear that he wanted to continue through Hokkaido and reach Sapporo alongside the rest of the tour. Whether he is able to do that will be determined by his health, with NJPW expected to provide further updates should his status affect upcoming events.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.