In a heartfelt announcement, El Phantasmo (ELP), New Japan Pro Wrestling’s beloved, fast-talking, high-flying, Canadian sensation, has shared with fans that he’s been diagnosed with cancer. Ever the entertainer, ELP assured his fanbase that he’s facing this new opponent head-on, much like he would any big wrestling match—full of confidence and determination.
After a recent slew of scans and tests, doctors located a “little tumor of cancer,” ELP revealed, but he’s feeling optimistic and incredibly grateful for the quick action being taken by his medical team. “The last two weeks, I’ve had a bunch of scans and tests done, and doctors have found a little tumour of cancer,” he wrote in his statement. “Things are thankfully happening really fast.”
In a move that surprised absolutely no one, ELP told fans not to worry about him. As ever, he was upbeat, showing the same resilience outside the ring that’s made him a force to be reckoned with in it. He’s also feeling supported by a roster of friends, family, and “warriors who’ve gone through this” before, adding that he looks forward to giving back to others who may face similar battles.
The NJPW star took a moment to highlight another warrior in the wrestling ring: TNA Wrestling’s Chris Bey, who recently had surgery following an in-ring injury. ELP encouraged fans to rally around Bey, showcasing once again that when one grappler goes down, the entire wrestling community steps up.
Though stepping away from the ring for now, ELP promised fans that this isn’t goodbye—it’s a “see you later.” When he returns, he plans to bring that same high-energy intensity back to NJPW, eyeing up a future match alongside the legendary Hiroshi Tanahashi. Until then, NJPW has announced that Boltin Oleg will step in to fill ELP’s spot in the Super Jr. Tag League Tour and Power Struggle matches. The wrestling world awaits his return, united in chants of “Let’s Go ELP!”