El Phantasmo returned to a New Japan ring on Sunday after taking medical leave to deal with a tumor.
On October 29th, the Canadian wrestler posted the following statement on social media:
Just want to get this out of the way so everyone doesn’t worry about me. The last 2 weeks I’ve had a bunch of scans and tests done, and doctors have found a little tumour of cancer. Things are thankfully happening really fast, but I have amazing family, friends and fans by my side, and I’m so grateful to have the support of warriors who have gone through the same thing before, and I look forward to help those going through it next.
On Sunday at Korakuen Hall, he made his return at a Road to the Tokyo Dome tour event.
Welcome back @elpwrestling 🫰😘
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CcdQ1X9P52#NJPW #njpwworld #njwk19 pic.twitter.com/SkwhEkG4Ut
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) December 22, 2024
The 38-year-old came to the ring with a Canadian flag covered in handwritten well wishes.
He asked Jado, who was dressed as Santa Claus, to tell the crowd something, but the pair were jumped by members of House of Torture.
After they got rid of their attackers, Jado announced to a cheering crowd that Phantasmo was medically cleared.
He then picked up Ren Narita’s NJPW World TV Title, which was lying on the mat from the previous match. Narita is set to defend it against Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa in a three-way match at Wrestle Kingdom. It seems that ELP may be added to make this a four-way after he asked Cobb and Oiwa if they were “good” and held up four fingers.
Phantasmo added that he was set for a match on Monday’s event at Korakuen Hall, which is the final NJPW date before Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th.
