ELP shared a note about him and the World TV Title plans.
Before NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, El Phantasmo made his return to the company following taking an indefinite leave of absence after doctors discovered he had a tumor.
He was out of action for two months before being cleared to return. While speaking to The Wrestling Classic, ELP opened up about overcoming cancer and then going on to win the NJPW World Television Title at Wrestle Kingdom 19. He added that his being in the TV Title match was planned prior to the diagnosis.
"There’s no way to tell (when you’ll be in remission from cancer). It was a very weird of just this is what’s happening and you have to accept it, and you know, every time family or friends, I’m like, it’s just positive mental attitude. Don’t let yourself beat yourself up and that’s exactly what I try to tell myself. I was like, ‘Alright, this is what we’re doing.’ Of course, I would lose a testicle. That’s such an ELP thing to have done. I got lucky that they caught it fast and I could get back to the gym really quick and once it didn’t spread, then you’re like, ‘Hey, I’m ready. I don’t wanna milk this any longer than I need to. I don’t wanna sit at home… The whole thing was I was always gonna be in the (NJPW World) TV Title match even before this cancer thing kind of happened, which kind of distracted people from the whole original story about the TV Title… I’ve been in New Japan for six years now and that was the first singles title that I’ve won so that was (a) very cool moment. I’ve proved myself as a tag team guy that -- as a foreigner, to have the Tokyo Dome explode for a title win is pretty awesome. It’s a good feeling."
Phantasmo is in the midst of his second NJPW World TV Title reign. He defeated Great-O-Khan at Wrestling Hizen no Kuni to become champion.
If the quote in this article is used, please credit The Wrestling Classic with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.
