After nearly five months on the sidelines, Taiji Ishimori returned at NJPW’s Destruction in Ryogoku event.
Following Hiromi Takahashi’s successful title defense of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship, Ishimori made his return by attacking the champion and stating his goal by grabbing the title and addressing Takahashi.
@taiji_ishimori came forward as the next challenger!
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CcdQ1XamUA#NJPW #njpwworld #njdest pic.twitter.com/JBToBwo6EA
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) October 9, 2023
Ishimori was out of action due to a cervical spinal injury sustained in a match with Takahashi on May 21 during the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, which was called off due to the injury.
Takahashi was scheduled to have a three-way title match with Speedball Mike Bailey and Lio Rush on Monday’s card, but Rush was replaced by YOH due to illness.
Takahashi defended his title by pinning YOH after hitting Time Bomb II at 17:54.
