Tenryu set for surgery this week.
Earlier this month, Genichiro Tenryu was hospitalized due to a cervical spinal cord injury. In an update from the Tenryu Project promotion, it is noted in an statement on their site that Tenryu’s official diagnosis is spinal stenosis associated with dislocation of the vertebrae.
Tenryu suffered extensive damage to his spinal cord as a result of what his body absorbed throughout his in-ring career. He is scheduled to undergo surgery this week to avoid a high-risk situation.
It is noted that the rehabilitation period could be from a minimal two months to a maximum six months.
The former IWGP and Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion did a receive permission from his doctor to virtually participate in a talk show with Stan Hansen on 9/25, but it depends on how he progresses post-operation.
【天龍源一郎についてのお知らせ】
ご心配をおかけしております天龍ですが、今週手術を行うこととなりました。
今後の方針についてご報告をさせて頂きます。本人の意向を尊重し9.25ハンセン氏イベントは形式を変更し開催致します。
何卒ご理解の程、お願い申し上げます。https://t.co/z7odRLIrjZ pic.twitter.com/bMWTgBTYMh
— 【公式】天龍プロジェクト〈龍魂伝承〉 (@tenryuproject) September 13, 2022
In 2021, Tenryu was inducted into the Japan Wrestling Hall of Fame along with the likes of Antonio Inoki, Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta, Tatsumi Fujinami and Riki Choshu.
Over the summer of 2022, Tenryu’s wife, Makiyo Shimada passed away due to lung cancer.