Seth Rollins NJPW departure rumors surfaced as Sanada, a prominent figure in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and often compared to WWE‘s Seth Rollins for his flamboyant style and fashion sense, announced he is leaving the ring for good. This revelation came on January 5, 2026, following Sanada’s match at New Year Dash, marking an emotional moment for fans and the NJPW roster alike.
Sanada’s Legacy and Role in NJPW
Sanada, age 37, has been an influential presence in NJPW, representing the House of Torture alongside Evil (Takaaki Watanabe), Chase Owens, Dick Togo, Don Fale, Douki, Ren Narita, Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and Yujiro Takahashi. Previously, he partnered with Evil as part of Los Ingobernables de Japón, achieving two IWGP Tag Team Championship wins and another with Tetsuya Naito. Sanada also enjoyed three reigns as NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion with Bushi, and captured the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship after a victory over David Finlay in the 2023 New Japan Cup. He held the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship once as well.
Throughout his NJPW career, Sanada made a mark with his showmanship and unique appearance, drawing regular comparisons to the charismatic WWE superstar Seth Rollins. The similarities have become a topic of conversation among wrestling fans, especially as Sanada announced a decision reminiscent of major character departures in global wrestling.
A Dramatic Farewell At New Year Dash
Sanada, together with House of Torture members Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Yujiro Takahashi, faced Boltin Oleg and Bishamon (YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto) at NJPW New Year Dash 2026. Although their team did not secure a victory, the moment that drew the most attention was Sanada’s entrance, where he carried a guitar featuring a mini LED display that read,
“Goodbye. See you next f**kin’ time.”
Following the match, Sanada spoke directly to the audience and shared his decision to leave wrestling behind.
“I’m leaving this ring for good today. I’m going on a journey,” Sanada said.
This declaration solidified his intention to step away from professional wrestling, invoking a wave of reactions from supporters and colleagues in the industry.
Recent Matches and the Road Ahead
Sanada’s final stretch in NJPW included a major appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 20, where the House of Torture participated in a Ranbo—a traditional NJPW battle royal—for the NEVER 6-Man Tag Team Championship. Despite their efforts, TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa, and Hartley Jackson) emerged as the winners, eliminating Boltin Oleg and Bishamon in the final moments to claim the title. With these outcomes, Sanada opted to walk away at this pivotal time in his wrestling career.
The Significance of Sanada’s Exit
Sanada’s exit marks the end of an era for NJPW, as a wrestler known for blending technical skill with striking visual flair takes his leave. His journey has left a notable impact on wrestling culture in Japan, with the echoes of his fashion choices and entrance style paralleling those of Seth Rollins in WWE. As NJPW and its fans adjust to his absence, the wrestling world will be watching closely to see what “journey” Sanada embarks on next, and how the House of Torture and the rest of the NJPW roster adapt to this major change.
SANADA…
From the profile URL#NJPW #njpwworld #njdash pic.twitter.com/oVwlEoqqyX
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2026
SANADA「俺は今日をもってこのリングを去るよ。……旅に出るよ（※画面に『Good Bye』と表示されたギターを示して）」
1.5大田区大会のBSコメントを掲載中！https://t.co/uFo9GpwqKJ#njdash pic.twitter.com/Qqj8mbA4gt
— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) January 5, 2026
