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|name =Sanada
|name =Sanada
|names = The Great Sanada<ref name=Impact082714/><br />Kiyonari Sanada<br />Seiya Sanada<br />'''Sanada'''
|names = The Great Sanada<ref name=Impact082714/><br />Kiyonari Sanada<br />Seiya Sanada<br />'''Sanada'''
|image = SANADA 2019.10.17.2.jpg
|image = SANADA (52828750906).jpg
|caption = Sanada in October 2019
|birth_name = Seiya Sanada
|caption = Sanada as [[IWGP World Heavyweight Championship|IWGP World Heavyweight Champion]] in April 2023
|height = {{height|m=1.82}}<!-- In Japan they measure height in meters so that should be first --><ref name=AJPW/><ref name=W1/><ref name=NJPW>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/profile/753|title=Sanada|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|access-date=2017-07-25|language=ja}}</ref>
|height = {{height|m=1.82}}<!-- In Japan they measure height in meters so that should be first --><ref name=AJPW/><ref name=W1/><ref name=NJPW>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/profile/753|title=Sanada|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|access-date=2017-07-25|language=ja}}</ref>
|weight = {{convert|100|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}<!--In Japan they measure weight in kilograms so that should be first --><ref name=NJPW/>
|weight = {{convert|100|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}<!--In Japan they measure weight in kilograms so that should be first --><ref name=NJPW/>
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|death_place =
|death_place =
|resides =
|resides =
|trainer = [[Kaz Hayashi]]<ref name="Cagematch"/><br />[[Keiji Mutoh]]<ref name=AJPWArchive>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/fighter/sanada.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024015022/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/fighter/sanada.html|script-title=ja:青春ハリケーン 真田 聖也|archive-date=2008-10-24|access-date=2014-07-28|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref><br />[[Osamu Nishimura]]<ref name="Cagematch"/><br />[[Satoshi Kojima]]<ref name="Cagematch">{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=5096&gimmick=Seiya+Sanada|title=Sanada|last=Kreikenbohm|first=Philip}}</ref><br />[[Kohei Suwama]]<ref name="Cagematch"/>
|trainer = [[Taiyō Kea]]<br />[[Kaz Hayashi]]<ref name="Cagematch"/><br />[[Keiji Muto]]<ref name=AJPWArchive>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/fighter/sanada.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024015022/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/fighter/sanada.html|script-title=ja:青春ハリケーン 真田 聖也|archive-date=2008-10-24|access-date=2014-07-28|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref><br />[[Osamu Nishimura]]<ref name="Cagematch"/><br />[[Satoshi Kojima]]<ref name="Cagematch">{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=5096&gimmick=Seiya+Sanada|title=Sanada|last=Kreikenbohm|first=Philip}}</ref><br />[[Kohei Suwama]]<ref name="Cagematch"/>
|debut = March 13, 2007<ref name=AJPW/><ref name=W1/><ref name=NJPW/>
|debut = March 13, 2007<ref name=AJPW/><ref name=W1/><ref name=NJPW/>
|retired =
|retired =
}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Seiya Sanada'''|真田 聖也|Sanada Seiya|born January 28, 1988}},<ref name=AJPW>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/profile/sanada.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402172740/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/profile/sanada.php|script-title=ja:真田 聖也|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|archive-date=2013-04-02|access-date=2013-04-23|language=ja}}</ref><ref name=W1>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp//player/sanada.php|script-title=ja:真田 聖也|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|access-date=2013-09-24|language=ja}}</ref> better known by his [[ring name]] '''Sanada''' (stylized as '''SANADA'''), is a [[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[professional wrestler]] currently signed to [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW). He is a member of the [[Stable (professional wrestling)|stable]] ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japón]]''.
{{nihongo|'''Seiya Sanada'''|真田 聖也|Sanada Seiya|born January 28, 1988}},<ref name=AJPW>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/profile/sanada.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402172740/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/profile/sanada.php|script-title=ja:真田 聖也|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|archive-date=2013-04-02|access-date=2013-04-23|language=ja}}</ref><ref name=W1>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp//player/sanada.php|script-title=ja:真田 聖也|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|access-date=2013-09-24|language=ja}}</ref> better known by his mononymous [[ring name]] '''Sanada''' (stylized in [[all caps]]), is a [[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[professional wrestler]]. He is currently signed to [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW), where he is a member of the [[Just 5 Guys]] stable. He is a former and longest-reigning [[IWGP World Heavyweight Championship|IWGP World Heavyweight Champion]].


As part of NJPW, Sanada is mostly known for his [[tag team]] with [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]], with whom he is a two time [[IWGP Tag Team Championship|IWGP Tag Team Champion]], two time [[World Tag League (NJPW)|World Tag League]] winner, and a three time [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship|NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion]] (alongside [[Tetsuya Bushi|Bushi]]). He won his first NJPW singles title, the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]], in early 2022. He is also known for his work in [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW), where he was the first [[Gaora TV Championship|Gaora TV Champion]], a two-time [[All Asia Tag Team Championship|All Asia Tag Team Champion]], a one-time [[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)|World Tag Team Champion]], and the winner of the [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#2011|2011 World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] tournament. Sanada is also known for his time in the Japanese [[Wrestle-1]] (W-1) and American [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA) promotions. Through the W-1/TNA working relationship, Sanada became a [[List of Impact X Division Champions|one time]] [[GFW X Division Championship|TNA X Division Champion]], winning the title at the collaborative [[Kaisen: Outbreak]].
As part of NJPW, Sanada is mostly known for his [[tag team]] with [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]] as a part of ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japón]]'', with whom he is a two-time [[IWGP Tag Team Championship|IWGP Tag Team Champion]], two-time [[World Tag League (NJPW)|World Tag League]] winner, and a three-time [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship|NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion]] (alongside [[Bushi (wrestler)|Bushi]]). He also had a short reign as IWGP Tag Team Champion with [[Tetsuya Naito]]. He won his first NJPW singles title, the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]], in early 2022, and won the [[New Japan Cup#2023|2023]] [[New Japan Cup]], which led to him winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. He is also known for his work in [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW), where he was the first [[Gaora TV Championship|Gaora TV Champion]], a two-time [[All Asia Tag Team Championship|All Asia Tag Team Champion]], a one-time [[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)|World Tag Team Champion]], and the winner of the [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#2011|2011 World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] tournament. Sanada is also known for his time in the Japanese [[Wrestle-1]] (W-1) and American [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA) promotions. Through the W-1/TNA working relationship, Sanada became a [[List of Impact X Division Champions|one time]] [[Impact X Division Championship|TNA X Division Champion]], winning the title at the collaborative [[Kaisen: Outbreak]].


==Professional wrestling career==
==Professional wrestling career==
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===All Japan Pro Wrestling (2007–2013)===
===All Japan Pro Wrestling (2007–2013)===
Sanada was eventually trained by [[Keiji Mutoh]]'s [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW) affiliated Mutohjuku school<ref name=AJPWArchive/> and turned pro on March 13, 2007, in a losing effort teaming with [[Ryuji Hijikata]] against [[Katsuhiko Nakajima]] and [[Tetsuya Bushi|T28]]. Within a few months into his career, Sanada won his first honor when he teamed with [[Kensuke Sasaki]] and Nakajima to win the Samurai! TV Triple Arrow Tournament on May 29, 2007.<ref name=AJPWArchive/> Following the tournament victory, Sanada spent the next two years in opening match wrestling other up-and-comers and began teaming with [[Manabu Soya]].<ref name="puroresucentral.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/sanada.html|title=Seiya Sanada}}</ref> By 2009, Sanada began moving up the card as he took part in his first [[Champion Carnival]] but finished last with no points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/carnival09.php|title=Champion Carnival 2009|work=Purolove}}</ref> Later in the year, Sanada broke up with Soya and briefly teamed up with [[Osamu Nishimura]] with the two entering the [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#2009|2009 World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] with Sanada even getting a pinfall victory over the tag team champions: [[Taiyo Kea]] and [[Minoru Suzuki]] but the team's run ended when Sanada suffered the flu and had to withdraw from the tournament.<ref name="puroresucentral.com"/>
Sanada was eventually trained by [[Keiji Muto]]'s [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW) affiliated Mutohjuku school<ref name=AJPWArchive/> and turned pro on March 13, 2007, in a losing effort teaming with [[Ryuji Hijikata]] against [[Katsuhiko Nakajima]] and [[Bushi (wrestler)|T28]]. Within a few months into his career, Sanada won his first honor when he teamed with [[Kensuke Sasaki]] and Nakajima to win the Samurai! TV Triple Arrow Tournament on May 29, 2007.<ref name=AJPWArchive/> Following the tournament victory, Sanada spent the next two years in opening match wrestling other up-and-comers and began teaming with [[Manabu Soya]].<ref name="puroresucentral.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/sanada.html|title=Seiya Sanada}}</ref> By 2009, Sanada began moving up the card as he took part in his first [[Champion Carnival]] but finished last with no points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/carnival09.php|title=Champion Carnival 2009|work=Purolove}}</ref> Later in the year, Sanada broke up with Soya and briefly teamed up with [[Osamu Nishimura]] with the two entering the [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#2009|2009 World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] with Sanada even getting a pinfall victory over the tag team champions: [[Taiyō Kea]] and [[Minoru Suzuki]] but the team's run ended when Sanada suffered the flu and had to withdraw from the tournament.<ref name="puroresucentral.com"/>


[[File:Seiya Sanada.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Sanada in 2011]]
[[File:Seiya Sanada.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Sanada in 2011]]
In 2010, Sanada once again entered the Champion Carnival but the results were the same as he finished last in his block with no points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/carnival10.php|title=Champion Carnival 2010|work=Purolove}}</ref> By the spring, Sanada helped form the New Generation Force stable with [[Suwama]], [[Masayuki Kono]], [[Ryota Hama]], and Manabu Soya. On August 29, 2010 at Pro Wrestling Love in Ryogoku Vol. 10, Sanada and Soya defeated [[Yoshikazu Taru|Taru]] and [[Viscera (wrestler)|Big Daddy Voodoo]] to win the [[All Asia Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/results/10summerimpact.php|title=All Japan Pro-Wrestling - "Summer Impact 2010"|work=Purolove}}</ref> Sanada and Soya entered the 2010 World's Strongest Tag Determination League in the fall where they finished in 6th place with 7 Points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl10.php|title=Real World Tag League 2010|work=Purolove}}</ref> Sanada and Soya would lose the All Asia Tag Team Championship to [[Daisuke Sekimoto]] and [[Yuji Okabayashi]] on March 21, 2011. During the year 2011, Sanada reached his full potential by reaching the final against Yuji Nagata, but loss to him in the final. He also entered in 2011 World's Strongest Tag Determination League with [[Kai (wrestler)|Kai]] and won the tournament by defeating Masayuki Kono and Masakatsu Funaki in the Finals. They then challenged the All Japan World Tag Team Champions Dark Cuervo and Dark Ozz for a title shot but came up short. They then faced each other in a singles match, which led to Sanada winning that match. After the match they both had an interview and Sanada decided that they should part ways and move on with their Tag Team which Kai also agreed on. In 2012 he then challenged All Japan [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Ace|ace]] Suwama to a 60-minute match but also fell short in that match. He then challenged his former trainer Satoshi Kojima to match but also fell short after a Lariat by Kojima, during the Match he sustained a right knee injury but still wrestled and took a little time off to heal his knee. He then participated in 2012's Champion Carnival and lost to his former tag partner Manabu Soya. But he then won his first match against Manabu Soya's brother Takumi Soya and debuted a new finisher called "This Is It". On May 20, 2012, Sanada and [[Joe Doering]] defeated Soya and [[Takao Omori]] to win the [[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)|World Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=266|title=40th Anniversary year Rise Up Tour 2012|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|access-date=2012-05-20|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501030600/http://all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=266|archive-date=2012-05-01}}</ref> Sanada and Doering lost the title back to Soya and Ōmori on June 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=272|title=40th Anniversary year Cross Over 2012|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|access-date=2012-06-17|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604082808/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=272|archive-date=2012-06-04}}</ref> On October 7, 2012, Sanada defeated [[Yasufumi Nakanoue]] in a tournament final to become the inaugural [[Gaora TV Championship|Gaora TV Champion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=308 |title=40th Anniversary Tour 2012 |access-date=October 21, 2012 |publisher=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] |language=Japanese |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102045/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=308 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 }}</ref> After reaching the semifinals of the 2013 Champion Carnival, All Japan announced on May 1, 2013, that Sanada would be leaving on a learning excursion to [[Moncton]], [[Canada]], where he would train under [[Emile Duprée]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/138727/ | script-title=ja:真田がカナダ武者修行へ | date=2013-05-02 | access-date=2013-05-02 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=1949 | script-title=ja:真田「絶対に成長して帰って来ます」~海外遠征に向け真田聖也、会見 | date=2013-05-01 | access-date=2013-05-02 | work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503091652/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=1949 | archive-date=2013-05-03 }}</ref> During the excursion, Sanada lost the Gaora TV Championship to [[René Duprée]] on May 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_70982.shtml|title=WWE News: McMahon's Friday tweet - anti-smoking, Stephanie introduces NXT Women's Title (w/Pic), Cena check-in, Ross new blog, Dupree wins title|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2013-05-31|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=2013-05-31}}</ref>
In 2010, Sanada once again entered the Champion Carnival but the results were the same as he finished last in his block with no points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/carnival10.php|title=Champion Carnival 2010|work=Purolove}}</ref> By the spring, Sanada helped form the New Generation Force stable with [[Suwama]], [[Masayuki Kono]], [[Ryota Hama]], and Manabu Soya. On August 29, 2010 at Pro Wrestling Love in Ryogoku Vol. 10, Sanada and Soya defeated [[Yoshikazu Taru|Taru]] and [[Viscera (wrestler)|Big Daddy Voodoo]] to win the [[All Asia Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/results/10summerimpact.php|title=All Japan Pro-Wrestling - "Summer Impact 2010"|work=Purolove}}</ref> Sanada and Soya entered the 2010 World's Strongest Tag Determination League in the fall where they finished in 6th place with 7 points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl10.php|title=Real World Tag League 2010|work=Purolove}}</ref> Sanada and Soya would lose the All Asia Tag Team Championship to [[Daisuke Sekimoto]] and [[Yuji Okabayashi]] on March 21, 2011. During the year 2011, Sanada reached his full potential by reaching the final against Yuji Nagata, but loss to him in the final. He also entered in 2011 World's Strongest Tag Determination League with [[Kai (wrestler)|Kai]] and won the tournament by defeating Masayuki Kono and Masakatsu Funaki in the final. They then challenged the All Japan World Tag Team Champions [[Dark Cuervo]] and [[Dark Ozz]] for a title shot but came up short. They then faced each other in a singles match, which led to Sanada winning that match. After the match they both had an interview and Sanada decided that they should part ways and move on with their Tag Team which Kai also agreed on. In 2012 he then challenged All Japan [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Ace|ace]] Suwama to a 60-minute match but also fell short in that match. He then challenged his former trainer Satoshi Kojima to match but also fell short after a Lariat by Kojima, during the Match he sustained a right knee injury but still wrestled and took a little time off to heal his knee. He then participated in 2012's Champion Carnival and lost to his former tag partner Manabu Soya. But he then won his first match against Soya's brother Takumi Soya and debuted a new finisher called "This Is It". On May 20, 2012, Sanada and [[Joe Doering]] defeated Soya and [[Takao Omori]] to win the [[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)|World Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=266|title=40th Anniversary year Rise Up Tour 2012|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|access-date=2012-05-20|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501030600/http://all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=266|archive-date=2012-05-01}}</ref> Sanada and Doering lost the title back to Soya and Ōmori on June 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=272|title=40th Anniversary year Cross Over 2012|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|access-date=2012-06-17|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604082808/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=272|archive-date=2012-06-04}}</ref> On October 7, 2012, Sanada defeated [[Yasufumi Nakanoue]] in a tournament final to become the inaugural [[Gaora TV Championship|Gaora TV Champion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=308 |title=40th Anniversary Tour 2012 |access-date=October 21, 2012 |publisher=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] |language=Japanese |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102045/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=308 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 }}</ref> After reaching the semifinals of the 2013 Champion Carnival, All Japan announced on May 1, 2013, that Sanada would be leaving on a learning excursion to [[Moncton]], [[Canada]], where he would train under [[Emile Duprée]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/138727/ | script-title=ja:真田がカナダ武者修行へ | date=2013-05-02 | access-date=2013-05-02 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=1949 | script-title=ja:真田「絶対に成長して帰って来ます」~海外遠征に向け真田聖也、会見 | date=2013-05-01 | access-date=2013-05-02 | work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503091652/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=1949 | archive-date=2013-05-03 }}</ref> During the excursion, Sanada lost the Gaora TV Championship to [[René Duprée]] on May 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_70982.shtml|title=WWE News: McMahon's Friday tweet - anti-smoking, Stephanie introduces NXT Women's Title (w/Pic), Cena check-in, Ross new blog, Dupree wins title|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2013-05-31|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=2013-05-31}}</ref>


===Wrestle-1 (2013–2015)===
===Wrestle-1 (2013–2015)===
On July 1, while still in Canada, Sanada announced his resignation from All Japan, taking part in a mass exodus caused by Nobuo Shiraishi becoming the promotion's new president.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130702-00000000-spnavi | script-title=ja:全日本プロレス・真田がツイッターで退団を示唆 | date=2013-07-02 | access-date=2013-07-02 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722183442/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130702-00000000-spnavi | archive-date=2013-07-22 }}</ref> Following his resignation, Sanada traveled to [[Mexico]] on his own expense to continue his training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/190138/|script-title=ja:W―1入団の真田 トホホな肉体改造法|date=2013-10-03|access-date=2013-10-03|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref> Though Sanada was not announced as part of Keiji Mutoh's splinter promotion [[Wrestle-1]], he did make a surprise appearance at the promotion's [[Wrestle-1#Wrestle-1 Hataage Sen|inaugural event]] on September 8, losing to Kai in a singles match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/fight/all/2013090801/|title=武藤新団体「Wrestle-1」旗揚げ戦|date=2013-09-08|access-date=2013-09-08|work=Sports Navi|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911075633/http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/fight/all/2013090801|archive-date=2013-09-11}}</ref> Sanada and Kai had a rematch in the main event of Wrestle-1's second show on September 15; this time Sanada was victorious.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=424 | title = W-1旗揚げツアー | access-date = 2013-09-15 | work = [[Wrestle-1]] | language = ja | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130923062150/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=424 | archive-date = 2013-09-23 }}</ref> On September 24, Wrestle-1 announced that Sanada had signed a contract with the promotion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2201 | title = 真田聖也選手のWrestle-1入団並びに10月6日(日)後楽園ホール大会出場選手発表記者会見 | date=2013-09-24 | access-date=2013-09-24 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/news/2013/09/001965.php | title = 真田聖也が10月1日付でWrestle-1に正式入団!10・6後楽園ホール大会の出場選手が決定! | date=2013-09-24 | access-date=2013-09-24 | work=Battle News | language=ja}}</ref> Sanada wrestled his first match under a Wrestle-1 contract on October 6, losing to Kai in the main event of the promotion's first event in [[Korakuen Hall]]. As a result, Kai won the series between him and Sanada 3–2.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=427 | title=Wrestle-1 ~ First Trip | date=2013-10-06 | access-date=2013-10-06 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013051030/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=427 | archive-date=2013-10-13 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/all/2013/columndtl/201310060007-spnavi | title = W-1初後楽園のメーンはKaiが真田に勝利!武藤はTNA創始者ジャレットと豪華コラボ | date=2013-10-06 | access-date=2013-10-06 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | language=ja}}</ref> On November 16, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged visiting American wrestler [[A.J. Styles]] for the [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1437 | title=Wrestle-1 Tour 2013 | date=2013-11-16 | access-date=2013-11-16 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019020045/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1437 | archive-date=2013-10-19 }}</ref>
On July 1, while still in Canada, Sanada announced his resignation from All Japan, taking part in a mass exodus caused by Nobuo Shiraishi becoming the promotion's new president.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130702-00000000-spnavi | script-title=ja:全日本プロレス・真田がツイッターで退団を示唆 | date=2013-07-02 | access-date=2013-07-02 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722183442/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130702-00000000-spnavi | archive-date=2013-07-22 }}</ref> Following his resignation, Sanada traveled to [[Mexico]] on his own expense to continue his training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/190138/|script-title=ja:W―1入団の真田 トホホな肉体改造法|date=2013-10-03|access-date=2013-10-03|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref> Though Sanada was not announced as part of [[Keiji Muto]]'s splinter promotion [[Wrestle-1]], he did make a surprise appearance at the promotion's [[Wrestle-1#Wrestle-1 Hataage Sen|inaugural event]] on September 8, losing to Kai in a singles match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/fight/all/2013090801/|title=武藤新団体「Wrestle-1」旗揚げ戦|date=2013-09-08|access-date=2013-09-08|work=Sports Navi|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911075633/http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/fight/all/2013090801|archive-date=2013-09-11}}</ref> Sanada and Kai had a rematch in the main event of Wrestle-1's second show on September 15; this time Sanada was victorious.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=424 | title = W-1旗揚げツアー | access-date = 2013-09-15 | work = [[Wrestle-1]] | language = ja | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130923062150/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=424 | archive-date = 2013-09-23 }}</ref> On September 24, Wrestle-1 announced that Sanada had signed a contract with the promotion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2201 | title = 真田聖也選手のWrestle-1入団並びに10月6日(日)後楽園ホール大会出場選手発表記者会見 | date=2013-09-24 | access-date=2013-09-24 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/news/2013/09/001965.php | title = 真田聖也が10月1日付でWrestle-1に正式入団!10・6後楽園ホール大会の出場選手が決定! | date=2013-09-24 | access-date=2013-09-24 | work=Battle News | language=ja}}</ref> Sanada wrestled his first match under a Wrestle-1 contract on October 6, losing to Kai in the main event of the promotion's first event in [[Korakuen Hall]]. As a result, Kai won the series between him and Sanada 3–2.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=427 | title=Wrestle-1 ~ First Trip | date=2013-10-06 | access-date=2013-10-06 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013051030/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=427 | archive-date=2013-10-13 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/all/2013/columndtl/201310060007-spnavi | title = W-1初後楽園のメーンはKaiが真田に勝利!武藤はTNA創始者ジャレットと豪華コラボ | date=2013-10-06 | access-date=2013-10-06 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | language=ja}}</ref> On November 16, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged visiting American wrestler [[AJ Styles|A.J. Styles]] for the [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1437 | title=Wrestle-1 Tour 2013 | date=2013-11-16 | access-date=2013-11-16 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019020045/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1437 | archive-date=2013-10-19 }}</ref>


[[File:Sanada head shot.jpg|thumb|left|Sanada in January 2015]]
[[File:Sanada head shot.jpg|thumb|left|Sanada in January 2015]]
In early 2014, Sanada was offered an opportunity to earn another shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but he instead opted to go for the [[TNA X Division Championship]]. On February 15, Sanada defeated nineteen other men in a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] to become the number one contender to the title.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/fight/index.php?QBlog-20140215-2 | title = 【Wrestle-1】TNA三大タイトル挑戦者決定戦 | date=2014-02-15 | access-date=2014-02-15 | work=Battle News | language=ja}}</ref> On March 2 at [[Kaisen: Outbreak]], Sanada defeated [[Austin Aries]] to become the new TNA X Division Champion.<ref name=W1Outbreak>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1455|title=Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 「開戦~Outbreak~」|date=2014-03-02|access-date=2014-03-02|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja}}</ref> The following day, Wrestle-1 announced Sanada would be leaving Japan to work for TNA indefinitely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/240868/|script-title=ja:TNA王者・真田が無期限米遠征へ|date=2014-03-04|access-date=2014-03-04|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref> Sanada continued making sporadic appearances for Wrestle-1, defending his X Division Championship against [[Seiki Yoshioka]] on March 22 and against [[Christopher Daniels]] on April 17,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1461|title=Wrestle-1 2014 Tour After Outbreak|date=2014-03-22|access-date=2014-03-22|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327230508/http://www.w-1.co.jp//schedule/tour.php?id=1461|archive-date=2014-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TNA news: X Division Title match result in Japan|last=Caldwell|first=James|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_77810.shtml|date=2014-04-17|access-date=2014-04-19|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> while also losing to The Great Muta in the main event of Wrestle-1's second [[Ryōgoku Kokugikan]] event, Shōgeki: Impact, on July 6.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1473 | title=Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 「衝撃~Impact~」 | date=2014-07-06 | access-date=2014-07-06 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702024604/http://www.w-1.co.jp//schedule/tour.php?id=1473 | archive-date=2014-07-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_79435.shtml|title=TNA news: Result from Tag Title match in Japan, plus Muta vs. Sanada, TNA heel duo in tag action|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-07-06|access-date=2014-07-06|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following day, Wrestle-1 and Sanada held a press conference to announce that he had signed a contract with TNA, giving him a dual contract between Wrestle-1 and the American promotion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20140707-1330418.html|script-title=ja:W1真田がTNAと契約「ムタ超えたい」|date=2014-07-07|access-date=2014-07-07|work=[[Nikkan Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/86744/new-tna-signing.html?p=1|title=New TNA signing|last=Lions|first=Phil|date=2014-07-07|access-date=2014-07-07|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref>
In early 2014, Sanada was offered an opportunity to earn another shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but he instead opted to go for the [[TNA X Division Championship]]. On February 15, Sanada defeated nineteen other men in a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] to become the number one contender to the title.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/fight/index.php?QBlog-20140215-2 | title = 【Wrestle-1】TNA三大タイトル挑戦者決定戦 | date=2014-02-15 | access-date=2014-02-15 | work=Battle News | language=ja}}</ref> On March 2 at [[Kaisen: Outbreak]], Sanada defeated [[Austin Aries]] to become the new TNA X Division Champion.<ref name=W1Outbreak>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1455|title=Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 「開戦~Outbreak~」|date=2014-03-02|access-date=2014-03-02|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja}}</ref> The following day, Wrestle-1 announced Sanada would be leaving Japan to work for TNA indefinitely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/240868/|script-title=ja:TNA王者・真田が無期限米遠征へ|date=2014-03-04|access-date=2014-03-04|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref> Sanada continued making sporadic appearances for Wrestle-1, defending his X Division Championship against [[Seiki Yoshioka]] on March 22 and against [[Christopher Daniels]] on April 17,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1461|title=Wrestle-1 2014 Tour After Outbreak|date=2014-03-22|access-date=2014-03-22|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327230508/http://www.w-1.co.jp//schedule/tour.php?id=1461|archive-date=2014-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TNA news: X Division Title match result in Japan|last=Caldwell|first=James|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_77810.shtml|date=2014-04-17|access-date=2014-04-19|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> while also losing to The Great Muta in the main event of Wrestle-1's second [[Ryōgoku Kokugikan]] event, Shōgeki: Impact, on July 6.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1473 | title=Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 「衝撃~Impact~」 | date=2014-07-06 | access-date=2014-07-06 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702024604/http://www.w-1.co.jp//schedule/tour.php?id=1473 | archive-date=2014-07-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_79435.shtml|title=TNA news: Result from Tag Title match in Japan, plus Muta vs. Sanada, TNA heel duo in tag action|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-07-06|access-date=2014-07-06|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following day, Wrestle-1 and Sanada held a press conference to announce that he had signed a contract with TNA, giving him a dual contract between Wrestle-1 and the American promotion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20140707-1330418.html|script-title=ja:W1真田がTNAと契約「ムタ超えたい」|date=2014-07-07|access-date=2014-07-07|work=[[Nikkan Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/86744/new-tna-signing.html?p=1|title=New TNA signing|last=Lions|first=Phil|date=2014-07-07|access-date=2014-07-07|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref>


Sanada returned to working for Wrestle-1 full-time in October 2014, when TNA went inactive for the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = November 3, 2014 | title = Nov 3 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE direction leading to WrestleMania, Hell in a Cell review and analysis, tons more | magazine = [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | location = [[Campbell, California]] | issn = 1083-9593 | page=29}}</ref> The following month, Sanada teamed up with [[Hiroshi Yamato]] for the First Tag League Greatest tournament, set to determine the inaugural [[Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship|Wrestle-1 Tag Team Champions]]. The team finished their block with a record of one win, two draws and one loss, narrowly missing advancement to the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3139|title=「First Tag League Greatest ~初代タッグ王者決定リーグ戦~」公式戦全日程終了!11月30日(日)東京・後楽園ホール(18時試合開始)大会での決勝トーナメント組み合わせ決定のお知らせ|date=2014-11-28|access-date=2014-11-28|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja}}</ref> On December 22, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged Keiji Mutoh for the [[Wrestle-1 Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1529|title=Gaora presents Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 Final|date=2014-12-22|access-date=2014-12-22|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141222120419/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1529|archive-date=2014-12-22}}</ref> On May 13, 2015, Sanada held a press conference in Japan, where he announced that he was leaving Wrestle-1 once his contract expired two days later, so he could continue working in the United States full-time as a freelancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/05/13/0008021167.shtml|title=真田聖也、Wrestle-1退団|date=2015-05-13|access-date=2015-05-13|work=Daily Sports Online|publisher=[[Kobe Shimbun]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3594|script-title=ja:真田聖也選手に関してのご報告|date=2015-05-13|access-date=2015-05-13|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja}}</ref>
Sanada returned to working for Wrestle-1 full-time in October 2014, when TNA went inactive for the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = November 3, 2014 | title = Nov 3 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE direction leading to WrestleMania, Hell in a Cell review and analysis, tons more | magazine = [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | location = [[Campbell, California]] | issn = 1083-9593 | page=29}}</ref> The following month, Sanada teamed up with [[Hiroshi Yamato]] for the First Tag League Greatest tournament, set to determine the inaugural [[Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship|Wrestle-1 Tag Team Champions]]. The team finished their block with a record of one win, two draws and one loss, narrowly missing advancement to the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3139|title=「First Tag League Greatest ~初代タッグ王者決定リーグ戦~」公式戦全日程終了!11月30日(日)東京・後楽園ホール(18時試合開始)大会での決勝トーナメント組み合わせ決定のお知らせ|date=2014-11-28|access-date=2014-11-28|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja}}</ref> On December 22, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged Muto for the [[Wrestle-1 Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1529|title=Gaora presents Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 Final|date=2014-12-22|access-date=2014-12-22|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141222120419/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1529|archive-date=2014-12-22}}</ref> On May 13, 2015, Sanada held a press conference in Japan, where he announced that he was leaving Wrestle-1 once his contract expired two days later, so he could continue working in the United States full-time as a freelancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/05/13/0008021167.shtml|title=真田聖也、Wrestle-1退団|date=2015-05-13|access-date=2015-05-13|work=Daily Sports Online|publisher=[[Kobe Shimbun]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3594|script-title=ja:真田聖也選手に関してのご報告|date=2015-05-13|access-date=2015-05-13|work=[[Wrestle-1]]|language=ja}}</ref>


===Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2014–2015)===
===Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2014–2015)===
Sanada made his TNA debut on March 9 at [[Lockdown (2014)|Lockdown]], where he, working under just his family name, teamed with The Great Muta and Yasu to defeat [[Chris Sabin]] and [[The Addiction (professional wrestling)|Bad Influence]] (Christopher Daniels and [[Frankie Kazarian|Kazarian]]) in a six-man tag team [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]].<ref name=Lockdown2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/100-tna/35834-tna-lockdown-live-ppv-coverage-from-miami|title=TNA Lockdown live PPV coverage from Miami|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=2014-03-09|access-date=2014-03-10|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> Four days later, Sanada made his ''[[GFW Impact!|Impact Wrestling]]'' debut, teaming with [[Tigre Uno]] to defeat [[TNA World Tag Team Champions]] [[The BroMans]] ([[Jessie Godderz]] and [[Robbie E]]), in a non-title match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_76996.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact results 3/13: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Lockdown fall-out, plus Three Stars of the Show|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-03-13|access-date=2014-03-14|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> As a result, the two received a shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship the following week, but were defeated in a three-way match, which also included [[The American Wolves|The Wolves]] ([[Davey Richards]] and [[Eddie Edwards (wrestler)|Eddie Edwards]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_77139.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact results 3/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Orlando Impact - TNA Title match, Tag Title match, more Lockdown fall-out|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-03-20|access-date=2014-03-21|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Sanada and Tigre Uno were then put against each other in a "best of three" match series for the TNA X Division Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_77427.shtml|title=Impact news: Dixie Carter returning to TV, TNA Title match result, X Title series, Tag Titles, King of the Night|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-04-03|access-date=2014-04-04|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On April 27 at [[Sacrifice (2014)|Sacrifice]], Sanada defeated Uno to win the series 2–1 and retain the X Division Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_78025.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Sacrifice PPV results 4/27: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV from Orlando - Eric Young defends TNA Title, two title changes, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-04-27|access-date=2014-04-28|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On June 15 at [[Slammiversary XII]], Sanada defeated [[Crazzy Steve]], Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, [[T.J. Perkins|Manik]] and Tigre Uno in a six-way [[ladder match]] to retain the X Division Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_79037.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Slammiversary PPV results 6/15: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Eric Young defending TNA Title in cage match, Texas Death Match, Cowboys, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-06-15|access-date=2014-06-16|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the July 10 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Sanada lost the X Division Championship back to Austin Aries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_79129.shtml|title=TNA spoilers: Key results & developments from Friday night's TV taping for July Impact episodes|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-06-21|access-date=2014-06-21|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>
Sanada made his TNA debut on March 9 at [[Lockdown (2014)|Lockdown]], where he, working under just his family name, teamed with The Great Muta and Yasu to defeat [[Chris Sabin]] and [[The Addiction (professional wrestling)|Bad Influence]] (Christopher Daniels and [[Frankie Kazarian|Kazarian]]) in a six-man tag team [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]].<ref name=Lockdown2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/100-tna/35834-tna-lockdown-live-ppv-coverage-from-miami|title=TNA Lockdown live PPV coverage from Miami|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=2014-03-09|access-date=2014-03-10|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> Four days later, Sanada made his ''[[Impact! (TV series)|Impact Wrestling]]'' debut, teaming with [[Tigre Uno]] to defeat [[TNA World Tag Team Champions]] [[The BroMans]] ([[Jessie Godderz]] and [[Robbie E]]), in a non-title match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_76996.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact results 3/13: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Lockdown fall-out, plus Three Stars of the Show|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-03-13|access-date=2014-03-14|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> As a result, the two received a shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship the following week, but were defeated in a three-way match, which also included [[The American Wolves|The Wolves]] ([[Davey Richards]] and [[Eddie Edwards (wrestler)|Eddie Edwards]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_77139.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact results 3/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Orlando Impact - TNA Title match, Tag Title match, more Lockdown fall-out|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-03-20|access-date=2014-03-21|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Sanada and Tigre Uno were then put against each other in a "best of three" match series for the TNA X Division Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_77427.shtml|title=Impact news: Dixie Carter returning to TV, TNA Title match result, X Title series, Tag Titles, King of the Night|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-04-03|access-date=2014-04-04|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On April 27 at [[Sacrifice (2014)|Sacrifice]], Sanada defeated Uno to win the series 2–1 and retain the X Division Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_78025.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Sacrifice PPV results 4/27: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV from Orlando - Eric Young defends TNA Title, two title changes, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-04-27|access-date=2014-04-28|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On June 15 at [[Slammiversary XII]], Sanada defeated [[Crazzy Steve]], Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, [[T. J. Perkins|Manik]] and Tigre Uno in a six-way [[ladder match]] to retain the X Division Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_79037.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Slammiversary PPV results 6/15: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Eric Young defending TNA Title in cage match, Texas Death Match, Cowboys, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-06-15|access-date=2014-06-16|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the July 10 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Sanada lost the X Division Championship back to Austin Aries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_79129.shtml|title=TNA spoilers: Key results & developments from Friday night's TV taping for July Impact episodes|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-06-21|access-date=2014-06-21|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>


On the July 24 ''Impact Wrestling'', Sanada took part in an angle, where he turned on his mentor The Great Muta, hitting him with a steel chair and a moonsault, after initially saving him from [[James Storm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_79255.shtml|title=TNA news: Impact spoilers 7/17 & 7/24 - full results from Night 1 in New York City with summer TV developments|last=Lunn|first=Scott|date=2014-06-26|access-date=2014-06-26|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week at [[Destination X (2014)|Destination X]], Storm introduced Sanada as his new protégé, before he defeated [[Brian Cage]] and Crazzy Steve to advance to the final of a tournament for the [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Vacant|vacant]] X Division Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/86541/the-rest-of-the-724-impact-tna-destination-x-spoilers-from-nyc-and-more.html?p=1|title=The rest of the 7/24 Impact, TNA Destination X spoilers from NYC and more|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=2014-06-26|access-date=2014-06-27|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> On the August 7 ''Impact Wrestling'', Sanada was defeated by [[Samoa Joe]] in the final of the tournament, which also included [[Low Ki]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/86560/complete-tna-spoilers-from-new-york-city-including-reprisal-of-famous-tag-team-feud.html?p=1|title=Complete TNA spoilers from New York City including reprisal of famous tag team feud|last=Scherer|first=Dave|date=2014-06-27|access-date=2014-06-28|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> After signing a one-year contract with TNA,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_79757.shtml|title=TNA news: TNA announces three new talent contracts|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-07-23|access-date=2014-07-23|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Sanada debuted the new ring name "The Great Sanada" and a look inspired by The Great Muta on the August 27 ''Impact Wrestling'', defeating Austin Aries with help from Storm.<ref name=Impact082714>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/87874/complete-impact-wrestling-report-the-great-sanada-is-revealed-sgt-chris-melendez-is-welcomed-to-the-tna-roster-the-tag-team-title-series-begins-and-more.html?p=1|title=Complete Impact Wrestling report: The Great Sanada is revealed, Sgt Chris Melendez is welcomed to the TNA roster, the tag team title series begins, and more|last=Carapola|first=Stuart|date=2014-08-27|access-date=2014-08-28|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> Sanada and Storm were eventually joined by [[Abyss (wrestler)|Abyss]] and Manik to form a stable named [[The Revolution (TNA)|The Revolution]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/6207-IMPACT-Results-New-Tag-Team-Champions-Samoa-Joe-Makes-Major-Announcement,-James-Storm-s-Revolution-and-more|title=Impact Results: New Tag Team Champions? Samoa Joe Makes Major Announcement, James Storm's Revolution and more!|access-date=2015-04-14|work=[[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]]}}</ref> On October 12, Sanada main evented TNA's [[Bound for Glory (2014)|Bound for Glory]] event in Tokyo, teaming with Storm in a tag team match, where they were defeated by The Great Muta and [[Yoshihiro Tajiri|Tajiri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/tna-bound-for-glory-results/51149-tna-bound-for-glory-ppv-results-10-12-14-from-tokyo-japan|title=TNA Bound for Glory PPV Results - 10/12/14 (From Tokyo, Japan)|last=McNeish|first=Greg|date=2014-10-12|access-date=2014-10-13|work=Wrestleview}}</ref> On the April 10, 2015 ''Impact Wrestling'', Storm dismissed Sanada from The Revolution, stating that Sanada had let him down one too many times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2015/04/10/22338421.html|title=Impact: Angle defies odds against Young, Lashley|last=Howell|first=Nolan|date=2015-04-10|access-date=2015-04-14|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Sanada's departure from TNA was officially confirmed by the promotion on April 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/93111/another-tna-departure.html?p=1|title=Another TNA departure|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=2015-04-16|access-date=2015-04-17|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref>
On the July 24 ''Impact Wrestling'', Sanada took part in an angle, where he turned on his mentor The Great Muta, hitting him with a steel chair and a moonsault, after initially saving him from [[James Storm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_79255.shtml|title=TNA news: Impact spoilers 7/17 & 7/24 - full results from Night 1 in New York City with summer TV developments|last=Lunn|first=Scott|date=2014-06-26|access-date=2014-06-26|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week at [[Destination X (2014)|Destination X]], Storm introduced Sanada as his new protégé, before he defeated [[Brian Cage]] and Crazzy Steve to advance to the final of a tournament for the [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Vacant|vacant]] X Division Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/86541/the-rest-of-the-724-impact-tna-destination-x-spoilers-from-nyc-and-more.html?p=1|title=The rest of the 7/24 Impact, TNA Destination X spoilers from NYC and more|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=2014-06-26|access-date=2014-06-27|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> On the August 7 ''Impact Wrestling'', Sanada was defeated by [[Samoa Joe]] in the final of the tournament, which also included [[Low Ki]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/86560/complete-tna-spoilers-from-new-york-city-including-reprisal-of-famous-tag-team-feud.html?p=1|title=Complete TNA spoilers from New York City including reprisal of famous tag team feud|last=Scherer|first=Dave|date=2014-06-27|access-date=2014-06-28|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> After signing a one-year contract with TNA,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_79757.shtml|title=TNA news: TNA announces three new talent contracts|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2014-07-23|access-date=2014-07-23|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Sanada debuted the new ring name "The Great Sanada" and a look inspired by The Great Muta on the August 27 ''Impact Wrestling'', defeating Austin Aries with help from Storm.<ref name=Impact082714>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/87874/complete-impact-wrestling-report-the-great-sanada-is-revealed-sgt-chris-melendez-is-welcomed-to-the-tna-roster-the-tag-team-title-series-begins-and-more.html?p=1|title=Complete Impact Wrestling report: The Great Sanada is revealed, Sgt Chris Melendez is welcomed to the TNA roster, the tag team title series begins, and more|last=Carapola|first=Stuart|date=2014-08-27|access-date=2014-08-28|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> Sanada and Storm were eventually joined by [[Abyss (wrestler)|Abyss]] and Manik to form a stable named [[The Revolution (TNA)|The Revolution]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/6207-IMPACT-Results-New-Tag-Team-Champions-Samoa-Joe-Makes-Major-Announcement,-James-Storm-s-Revolution-and-more|title=Impact Results: New Tag Team Champions? Samoa Joe Makes Major Announcement, James Storm's Revolution and more!|access-date=2015-04-14|work=[[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]]}}</ref> On October 12, Sanada main evented TNA's [[Bound for Glory (2014)|Bound for Glory]] event in Tokyo, teaming with Storm in a tag team match, where they were defeated by The Great Muta and [[Yoshihiro Tajiri|Tajiri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/tna-bound-for-glory-results/51149-tna-bound-for-glory-ppv-results-10-12-14-from-tokyo-japan|title=TNA Bound for Glory PPV Results - 10/12/14 (From Tokyo, Japan)|last=McNeish|first=Greg|date=2014-10-12|access-date=2014-10-13|work=Wrestleview}}</ref> On the April 10, 2015 ''Impact Wrestling'', Storm dismissed Sanada from The Revolution, stating that Sanada had let him down one too many times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2015/04/10/22338421.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724193210/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2015/04/10/22338421.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 24, 2017|title=Impact: Angle defies odds against Young, Lashley|last=Howell|first=Nolan|date=2015-04-10|access-date=2015-04-14|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Sanada's departure from TNA was officially confirmed by the promotion on April 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/93111/another-tna-departure.html?p=1|title=Another TNA departure|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=2015-04-16|access-date=2015-04-17|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref>


===Independent circuit (2014–2016)===
===Independent circuit (2014–2016)===
On September 20, 2014, Sanada, using his [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villainous]] Great Sanada persona, made his debut for American [[Independent circuit|independent]] promotion [[Chikara (professional wrestling)|Chikara]], entering the annual Rey de Voladores tournament. After defeating [[The Osirian Portal|Amasis]], [[AR Fox]] and Orlando Christopher in his opening four-way elimination match,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/radicanstake/article_81289.shtml|title=Radican's Chikara King of Trios 2014: Night 2 report 9/20 - Rey De Voladores mini-tournament begins, Spud, Sanda, Tatsu in action, Flood-Colony main event|last=Radican|first=Sean|date=2014-10-15|access-date=2014-12-02|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Sanada was defeated in the final of the tournament the following day by Shynron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/radicanstake/article_81697.shtml|title=Radican's King of Trios 2014: Night 3 report 9/21 - annual Tag Gauntlet match, KOT & Rey De Volodores winners determined, epic pose with Submission Squad & Gentleman's Club|last=Radican|first=Sean|date=2014-11-08|access-date=2014-12-02|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> After leaving TNA in April 2015, Sanada began working more regularly on the American independent circuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/93143/tna-news-and-notes.html?p=1|title=TNA news and notes|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=2015-04-18|access-date=2015-04-18|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> On May 6, [[Global Force Wrestling (2014–2017)|Global Force Wrestling]] (GFW) announced Sanada as part of their roster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/42413-notes-from-gfw-press-conference|title=Notes from GFW press conference (updated with more names)|date=2015-05-06|access-date=2015-05-06|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> He made his debut for the promotion on July 11, teaming with [[Takaaki Watanabe]] in a tag team match, where they were defeated by [[Bullet Club]] ([[Doc Gallows]] and [[Karl Anderson]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/95066/johnny-gargano-vs-eric-young-second-global-force-wrestling-711-results-from-eastlake-ohio.html?p=1|title=Johnny Gargano vs. Eric Young: second Global Force Wrestling 7/11 results from Eastlake, Ohio|last=Litzinger|first=Mike|date=2015-07-12|access-date=2015-07-12|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> Though now living in the United States, in July Sanada flew back to Japan to take part in a [[WWE]] tryout held by [[William Regal]].<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = July 13, 2015 | title = July 13, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Dusty Rhodes bio part 2, back to back major shows in Japan, & more | magazine = [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | location = [[Campbell, California]] | issn = 1083-9593 | page=67 | quote=The reason Regal was in Japan . . . was due to doing the tryout session. They had six men and two women at the session, which included . . . Seiya Sanada, who still lives in the U.S. but flew to Japan to get a tryout. . . .}}</ref> In August 2016, Sanada teamed with [[Minoru Fujita]] and [[Kazuhiko Masada|Mazada]] to defeat the team of [[Harashima]], [[Kotaro Suzuki]] and [[Masato Tanaka]] at a [[Tokyo Gurentai]] event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=160189|title=Tokyo Gurentai Tokyo Carnival 2016|date=2016-08-25|work=cagematch.net}}</ref>
On September 20, 2014, Sanada, using his [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villainous]] Great Sanada persona, made his debut for American [[Independent circuit|independent]] promotion [[Chikara (professional wrestling)|Chikara]], entering the annual Rey de Voladores tournament. After defeating [[The Osirian Portal|Amasis]], [[A. R. Fox]] and Orlando Christopher in his opening four-way elimination match,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/radicanstake/article_81289.shtml|title=Radican's Chikara King of Trios 2014: Night 2 report 9/20 - Rey De Voladores mini-tournament begins, Spud, Sanda, Tatsu in action, Flood-Colony main event|last=Radican|first=Sean|date=2014-10-15|access-date=2014-12-02|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Sanada was defeated in the final of the tournament the following day by Shynron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/radicanstake/article_81697.shtml|title=Radican's King of Trios 2014: Night 3 report 9/21 - annual Tag Gauntlet match, KOT & Rey De Volodores winners determined, epic pose with Submission Squad & Gentleman's Club|last=Radican|first=Sean|date=2014-11-08|access-date=2014-12-02|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> After leaving TNA in April 2015, Sanada began working more regularly on the American independent circuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/93143/tna-news-and-notes.html?p=1|title=TNA news and notes|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=2015-04-18|access-date=2015-04-18|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> On May 6, [[Global Force Wrestling (2014–2017)|Global Force Wrestling]] (GFW) announced Sanada as part of their roster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/42413-notes-from-gfw-press-conference|title=Notes from GFW press conference (updated with more names)|date=2015-05-06|access-date=2015-05-06|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> He made his debut for the promotion on July 11, teaming with [[Evil (wrestler)|Takaaki Watanabe]] in a tag team match, where they were defeated by [[Bullet Club]] ([[Doc Gallows]] and [[Karl Anderson]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/95066/johnny-gargano-vs-eric-young-second-global-force-wrestling-711-results-from-eastlake-ohio.html?p=1|title=Johnny Gargano vs. Eric Young: second Global Force Wrestling 7/11 results from Eastlake, Ohio|last=Litzinger|first=Mike|date=2015-07-12|access-date=2015-07-12|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> Though now living in the United States, in July Sanada flew back to Japan to take part in a [[WWE]] tryout held by [[William Regal]].<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = July 13, 2015 | title = July 13, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Dusty Rhodes bio part 2, back to back major shows in Japan, & more | magazine = [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | location = [[Campbell, California]] | issn = 1083-9593 | page=67 | quote=The reason Regal was in Japan . . . was due to doing the tryout session. They had six men and two women at the session, which included . . . Seiya Sanada, who still lives in the U.S. but flew to Japan to get a tryout. . . .}}</ref> In August 2016, Sanada teamed with [[Minoru Fujita]] and [[Kazuhiko Masada|Mazada]] to defeat the team of [[Harashima]], [[Kotaro Suzuki]] and [[Masato Tanaka]] at a [[Tokyo Gurentai]] event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=160189|title=Tokyo Gurentai Tokyo Carnival 2016|date=2016-08-25|work=cagematch.net}}</ref>


=== New Japan Pro-Wrestlng (2016–present)===
=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2016–present)===
==== Early years (2016–2017) ====
==== Teaming with Evil (2016–2019) ====
[[File:SANADA 2016.jpg|thumb|Sanada in May 2016, shortly after joining ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japón]]'']]
[[File:SANADA 2016.jpg|thumb|Sanada in May 2016, shortly after joining ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japón]]'']]
On April 10, 2016, Sanada, sporting a new look including a [[Mohawk hairstyle|mohawk]], made a surprise debut for NJPW at [[Invasion Attack 2016]] by interfering in the main event and helping Tetsuya Naito defeat [[Kazuchika Okada]] for the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]], joining Naito's ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japón]]'' (L.I.J.) stable in the process.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/04/10/410-njpw-invasion-attack-2016-ppv-report-okada-vs-naito-ospreays-debut-big-title-matches/ | title = 4/10 NJPW "Invasion Attack 2016" PPV Report – Okada vs. Naito, Ospreay's debut, more big title matches | last=Caldwell | first=James | date=2016-04-10 | access-date=2017-07-27 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following day, NJPW announced Sanada's new ring name; SANADA, his family name stylized in all capital letters.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=16255 | title = 【WD16】4 月29日(金・祝)熊本大会・主要カード!ケニーvsエルガン、棚橋vsファレ、柴田vs永田のNEVER王座戦! Jr.タッグ再戦! | date=2016-04-11 | access-date=2016-04-11 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> Though he started working for NJPW full-time, Sanada remained a freelancer.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/530985/ | title = Sanada豪語「オカダを踏み台にする」 | date=2016-04-15 | access-date=2016-04-15 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=ja}}</ref> Sanada wrestled his first NJPW match on April 17, when he and his L.I.J. stablemates Naito, [[Tetsuya Bushi|Bushi]] and [[Takaaki Watanabe|Evil]] defeated [[Gedo (wrestler)|Gedo]], [[Hirooki Goto]], Kazuchika Okada and [[Tomohiro Ishii]] with him submitting Gedo for the win.<ref name=NJPW041716>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=1113&c=8615 | title = Road to レスリングどんたく 2016 | access-date=2016-04-17 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> Sanada's first big match in NJPW took place on May 3 at [[Wrestling Dontaku 2016]], where he was defeated by Okada.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1123 | script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2016 | access-date=2016-05-03 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> On July 18, Sanada entered the [[G1 Climax#2016|2016 G1 Climax]], opening his tournament by scoring a major win over [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-g1-climax-26-opening-night-live-results-tanahashi-vs-sanada-okada-vs-marufuji-216701 | title = NJPW G1 Climax 26 opening night live results: Tanahashi vs. Sanada; Okada vs. Marufuji | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | author-link=Dave Meltzer | date=2016-07-17 | access-date=2016-07-18 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> He finished the tournament on August 12 with a record of four wins and five losses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1161|title=バディファイト Presents G1 Climax 26|access-date=2016-08-12|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> At the end of the year, Sanada took part in the [[G1 Tag League#2016|2016 World Tag League]], teaming with stablemate Evil. The two finished second in their block with a record of five wins and two losses, tied with block winners [[Togi Makabe]] and [[Tomoaki Honma]], but failed to advance to the final due to losing the head-to-head match against Makabe and Honma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13460?showResult=1|script-title=ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents World Tag League 2016|access-date=2016-12-08|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref>
On April 10, 2016, Sanada, sporting a new look including a [[Mohawk hairstyle|mohawk]], made a surprise debut for NJPW at [[Invasion Attack 2016]] by interfering in the main event and helping [[Tetsuya Naito]] defeat [[Kazuchika Okada]] for the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]], joining Naito's ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japón]]'' (L.I.J.) stable in the process.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/04/10/410-njpw-invasion-attack-2016-ppv-report-okada-vs-naito-ospreays-debut-big-title-matches/ | title = 4/10 NJPW "Invasion Attack 2016" PPV Report – Okada vs. Naito, Ospreay's debut, more big title matches | last=Caldwell | first=James | date=2016-04-10 | access-date=2017-07-27 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following day, NJPW announced Sanada's new ring name; SANADA, his family name stylized in all capital letters.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=16255 | title = 【WD16】4 月29日(金・祝)熊本大会・主要カード!ケニーvsエルガン、棚橋vsファレ、柴田vs永田のNEVER王座戦! Jr.タッグ再戦! | date=2016-04-11 | access-date=2016-04-11 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> Though he started working for NJPW full-time, Sanada remained a freelancer.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/530985/ | title = Sanada豪語「オカダを踏み台にする」 | date=2016-04-15 | access-date=2016-04-15 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=ja}}</ref> Sanada wrestled his first NJPW match on April 17, when he and his L.I.J. stablemates Naito, [[Bushi (wrestler)|Bushi]] and [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]] defeated [[Gedo (wrestler)|Gedo]], [[Hirooki Goto]], Okada and [[Tomohiro Ishii]], with him submitting Gedo for the win.<ref name=NJPW041716>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=1113&c=8615 | title = Road to レスリングどんたく 2016 | access-date=2016-04-17 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> Sanada's first big match in NJPW took place on May 3 at [[Wrestling Dontaku 2016]], where he was defeated by Okada.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1123 | script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2016 | access-date=2016-05-03 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> On July 18, Sanada entered the [[G1 Climax#2016|2016 G1 Climax]], opening his tournament by scoring a major win over [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-g1-climax-26-opening-night-live-results-tanahashi-vs-sanada-okada-vs-marufuji-216701 | title = NJPW G1 Climax 26 opening night live results: Tanahashi vs. Sanada; Okada vs. Marufuji | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | author-link=Dave Meltzer | date=2016-07-17 | access-date=2016-07-18 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> He finished the tournament on August 12 with a record of four wins and five losses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1161|title=バディファイト Presents G1 Climax 26|access-date=2016-08-12|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> At the end of the year, Sanada took part in the [[G1 Tag League#2016|2016 World Tag League]], teaming with stablemate Evil. The two finished second in their block with a record of five wins and two losses, tied with block winners [[Togi Makabe]] and [[Tomoaki Honma]], but failed to advance to the final due to losing the head-to-head match against Makabe and Honma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13460?showResult=1|script-title=ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents World Tag League 2016|access-date=2016-12-08|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref>


On January 4, 2017, at [[Wrestle Kingdom 11]], Sanada, Bushi and Evil won a four-team [[Professional wrestling match types#Gauntlet match|gauntlet match]] to become the new [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions]].<ref name=WrestleKingdom11WON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-11-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-kenny-omega-227626 | title = NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega | last1=Rose | first1=Bryan | last2=Currier | first2=Joseph | date=2017-01-03 | access-date=2017-01-04 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> They lost the title to Tanahashi, [[Manabu Nakanishi]] and [[Ryusuke Taguchi]] the next day,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13462?showResult=1 | script-title=ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents New Year Dash !! | access-date=January 5, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> before regaining it on February 11 at [[The New Beginning in Osaka (2017)|The New Beginning in Osaka]].<ref name=TheNewBeginninginOsaka2017WON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-new-beginning-osaka-live-results-naito-vs-elgin-229921 | title = NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=February 10, 2017 | access-date=February 11, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> They lost the title to Tanahashi, Taguchi and [[Ricochet (wrestler)|Ricochet]] in their second defense on April 4,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/80196?showResult=1 | script-title=ja:戦国炎舞-Kizna- Presents Road to Sakura Genesis 2017 | access-date=April 4, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> before regaining it on May 3 at [[Wrestling Dontaku 2017]].<ref name=WrestlingDontaku2017WON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestling-dontaku-live-results-okada-faces-bad-luck-fale-234786 | title = NJPW Wrestling Dontaku live results: Okada faces Bad Luck Fale | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=May 2, 2017 | access-date=May 3, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> During the summer, Sanada took part in the [[2017 G1 Climax]], where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/08/12/2017-new-japan-g1-climax-results/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170813060704/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/08/12/2017-new-japan-g1-climax-results/ | title = 2017 New Japan G1 Climax Standings, Results, Viewing Guide | archive-date=August 13, 2017 | date=August 12, 2017 | access-date=August 12, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> In December, Sanada and Evil won their block in the [[G1 Tag League#2017|2017 World Tag League]] with a record of five wins and two losses, advancing to the final of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/111995?showResult=1|title=鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017|access-date=December 8, 2017|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> On December 11, they defeated [[Guerrillas of Destiny]] ([[Tama Tonga]] and [[Tanga Loa]]) in the final to win the tournament.<ref name=NJPW121117>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/111998?showResult=1 | title = 鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017 | access-date=December 11, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> Six days later, Sanada, Bushi and Evil lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to Guerrillas of Destiny and [[Bad Luck Fale]] in their fourth defense.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/116484?showResult=1 | title = JRA presents Road to Tokyo Dome | access-date=December 17, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref>
==== Teaming with Evil (2017–2019) ====
On January 4, 2017, at [[Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome]], Sanada, Bushi and Evil won a four-team [[Professional wrestling match types#Gauntlet match|gauntlet match]] to become the new [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions]].<ref name=WrestleKingdom11WON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-11-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-kenny-omega-227626 | title = NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega | last1=Rose | first1=Bryan | last2=Currier | first2=Joseph | date=2017-01-03 | access-date=2017-01-04 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> They lost the title to Hiroshi Tanahashi, [[Manabu Nakanishi]] and [[Ryusuke Taguchi]] the next day,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13462?showResult=1 | script-title=ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents New Year Dash !! | access-date=January 5, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> before regaining it on February 11 at [[The New Beginning in Osaka (2017)|The New Beginning in Osaka]].<ref name=TheNewBeginninginOsaka2017WON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-new-beginning-osaka-live-results-naito-vs-elgin-229921 | title = NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=February 10, 2017 | access-date=February 11, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> They lost the title to Tanahashi, Taguchi and [[Ricochet (wrestler)|Ricochet]] in their second defense on April 4,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/80196?showResult=1 | script-title=ja:戦国炎舞-Kizna- Presents Road to Sakura Genesis 2017 | access-date=April 4, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> before regaining it on May 3 at [[Wrestling Dontaku 2017]].<ref name=WrestlingDontaku2017WON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestling-dontaku-live-results-okada-faces-bad-luck-fale-234786 | title = NJPW Wrestling Dontaku live results: Okada faces Bad Luck Fale | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=May 2, 2017 | access-date=May 3, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> During the summer, Sanada took part in the [[2017 G1 Climax]], where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/08/12/2017-new-japan-g1-climax-results/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170813060704/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/08/12/2017-new-japan-g1-climax-results/ | title = 2017 New Japan G1 Climax Standings, Results, Viewing Guide | archive-date=August 13, 2017 | date=August 12, 2017 | access-date=August 12, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> In December, Sanada and Evil won their block in the [[G1 Tag League#2017|2017 World Tag League]] with a record of five wins and two losses, advancing to the final of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/111995?showResult=1|title=鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017|access-date=December 8, 2017|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> On December 11, they defeated [[Guerrillas of Destiny]] ([[Tama Tonga]] and [[Tanga Loa]]) in the final to win the tournament.<ref name=NJPW121117>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/111998?showResult=1 | title = 鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017 | access-date=December 11, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> Six days later, Sanada, Bushi and Evil lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to Guerrillas of Destiny and [[Bad Luck Fale]] in their fourth defense.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/116484?showResult=1 | title = JRA presents Road to Tokyo Dome | access-date=December 17, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref>


On January 4, 2018, at [[Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo Dome]], Evil and Sanada defeated the [[Killer Elite Squad]] ([[Davey Boy Smith Jr.]] and [[Lance Archer]]) to win the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] for the first time.<ref name=WrestleKingdom12WON>{{cite web | url = https://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-12-live-results-okada-naito-omega-jericho-249171 | title = NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 live results: Okada-Naito, Omega-Jericho | last=Renner | first=Ethan | date=January 3, 2018 | access-date=January 4, 2018 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> The following day at New Year Dash!! in a post-show interview, Sanada challenged [[Kazuchika Okada]] to an [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] match at [[The New Beginning in Osaka (2018)|The New Beginning in Osaka]]. At the event, he lost to Okada.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2018/2/10/16998196/njpw-new-beginning-in-osaka-2018-results-okada-sanada-evil-goto-hiromu-ospreay-naito-yoshi|title=NJPW New Beginning in Osaka 2018 results for Saturday, February 10: Okada vs. SANADA, EVIL vs. Goto, and more|work=Cageside Seats|date=February 10, 2018|access-date=February 10, 2018}}</ref> In April at [[Wrestling Hinokuni 2018]], Evil and Sanada defeated Killer Elite Squad for their second successful defense. At [[Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall]], Evil and Sanada lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to [[the Young Bucks]]. The rematch was set on July 7, at [[G1 Special in San Francisco]], but they were unsuccessful in regaining the title. During the summer, Sanada took part in the [[G1 Climax#2018|2018 G1 Climax]], where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance from his block.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/152877 |title=戦国炎舞 -KIZNA- Presents G1 CLIMAX 28 | date=August 10, 2018 | access-date= December 1, 2018}}</ref> He also got a huge win against [[Kota Ibushi]] in the tournament. In December, Evil and Sanada took part in [[G1 Tag League#2018|2018 World Tag League]]. Team first qualified to the final and then defeated Guerrillas of Destiny to win the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/33210?showResult=1|title=鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref>
On January 4, 2018, at [[Wrestle Kingdom 12]], Evil and Sanada defeated the [[Killer Elite Squad]] ([[Davey Boy Smith Jr.]] and [[Lance Archer]]) to win the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] for the first time.<ref name=WrestleKingdom12WON>{{cite web | url = https://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-12-live-results-okada-naito-omega-jericho-249171 | title = NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 live results: Okada-Naito, Omega-Jericho | last=Renner | first=Ethan | date=January 3, 2018 | access-date=January 4, 2018 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> The following day at New Year Dash!! in a post-show interview, Sanada challenged [[Kazuchika Okada]] to an [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] match at [[The New Beginning in Osaka (2018)|The New Beginning in Osaka]]. At the event, he lost to Okada.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2018/2/10/16998196/njpw-new-beginning-in-osaka-2018-results-okada-sanada-evil-goto-hiromu-ospreay-naito-yoshi|title=NJPW New Beginning in Osaka 2018 results for Saturday, February 10: Okada vs. SANADA, EVIL vs. Goto, and more|work=Cageside Seats|date=February 10, 2018|access-date=February 10, 2018}}</ref> In April at [[Wrestling Hinokuni 2018]], Evil and Sanada defeated Killer Elite Squad for their second successful defense. At [[Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall]], Evil and Sanada lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to [[the Young Bucks]]. The rematch was set on July 7, at [[G1 Special in San Francisco]], but they were unsuccessful in regaining the title. During the summer, Sanada took part in the [[G1 Climax#2018|2018 G1 Climax]], where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance from his block.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/152877 |title=戦国炎舞 -KIZNA- Presents G1 CLIMAX 28 | date=August 10, 2018 | access-date= December 1, 2018}}</ref> He also got a huge win against [[Kota Ibushi]] in the tournament. In December, Evil and Sanada took part in [[G1 Tag League#2018|2018 World Tag League]]. Team first qualified to the final and then defeated Guerrillas of Destiny to win the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/33210?showResult=1|title=鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> On January 4, 2019, at [[Wrestle Kingdom 13]], Evil and Sanada defeated both Guerrillas of Destiny and Young Bucks to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2019/1/3/18163471/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-13-results-tokyo-dome-omega-tanahashi-okada-white-jericho-naito|title=NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 results for Friday, January 4: Omega vs. Tanahashi, Okada vs. White, Jericho vs. Naito and more|work=Cageside Seats|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref> The following day at New Year Dash!!, [[Suzuki-gun]] attacked ''Los Ingobernables de Japón''. [[Minoru Suzuki]] and [[Zack Sabre Jr.]] challenged Evil and Sanada for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. At [[The New Beginning in Sapporo (2019)|The New Beginning in Sapporo]], they retained their titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2019/2/3/18208602/njpw-new-beginning-in-sapporo-results-night-two-suzuki-sabre-evil-sanada-naito-taichi|title=NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo 2019 results for Sunday, February 3: Naito vs. Taichi and more|work=Cageside Seats|date=February 3, 2019|access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref> At [[Honor Rising: Japan 2019]], Evil and Sanada lost the titles in their second defense against Guerillas of Destiny.


==== IWGP Heavyweight Title Pursuits (2019–2020) ====
==== Championship pursuits (2019–2023) ====
[[File:SANADA 2019.10.17.2.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Sanada in October 2019]]
On January 4, 2019, at [[Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo Dome]], Evil and Sanada defeated both Guerrillas of Destiny and Young Bucks to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2019/1/3/18163471/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-13-results-tokyo-dome-omega-tanahashi-okada-white-jericho-naito|title=NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 results for Friday, January 4: Omega vs. Tanahashi, Okada vs. White, Jericho vs. Naito and more|work=Cageside Seats|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref> The following day at New Year Dash!!, [[Suzuki-gun]] attacked ''Los Ingobernables de Japón''. [[Minoru Suzuki]] and [[Zack Sabre Jr.]] challenged Evil and Sanada for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. At [[The New Beginning in Sapporo (2019)|The New Beginning in Sapporo]], They retained their titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2019/2/3/18208602/njpw-new-beginning-in-sapporo-results-night-two-suzuki-sabre-evil-sanada-naito-taichi|title=NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo 2019 results for Sunday, February 3: Naito vs. Taichi and more|work=Cageside Seats|date=February 3, 2019|access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref> At [[Honor Rising: Japan 2019]], Evil and Sanada lost the titles in their second defense against Guerillas of Destiny. Sanada was announced to take part in [[New Japan Cup#2019|2019 New Japan Cup]] and faced Hirooki Goto in the first round. After defeating Goto, Sanada went on to defeat Minoru Suzuki, Colt Cabana and then Hiroshi Tanahashi to make it to the final. Sanada lost in the final against Okada. On March 28, Dave Meltzer rated this match as a 5 stars, being the first match that Sanada got this rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=227100|title=NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Tag 12|publisher=CageMatch}}</ref> On May 4, the second night of [[Wrestling Dontaku 2019]], Sanada unsuccessfully challenged Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Sanada entered the [[G1 Climax]], where he finished with a record of 4 wins and 5 losses, ending the tournament with 8 points. One of Sanada's wins in the tournament came against still IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada. It was after [[NJPW Royal Quest]], where Okada successfully defended the championship against [[Minoru Suzuki]], when Sanada once again challenged Okada for the Championship. However, at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2019)|King of Pro-Wrestling]], Sanada lost to Okada. On the second night of [[Wrestle Kingdom 14]], Sanada challenged [[Zack Sabre Jr.]] for the [[British Heavyweight Championship]], but was unsuccessful. The following night at New Years Dash!!! Sanada teamed with stablemate, and new [[IWGP Intercontinental Championship|IWGP Intercontinental Champion]] and IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Tetsuya Naito to defeat [[Bullet Club]]’s [[Jay White]] and [[Kenta Kobayashi|KENTA]]. White would then go on to challenge Sanada to a special singles match at [[The New Beginning in Osaka (2020)|The New Beginning in Osaka]], where White would defeat Sanada. Sanada was then announced to be participating in the New Japan Cup, facing [[Mikey Nicholls]] in the first round. However, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], all New Japan Cup and further events were cancelled. Following NJPW's return to producing shows, Sanada entered the rescheduled 2020 New Japan Cup. He defeated Ryusuke Taguchi, [[Sho Tanaka|Sho]], and [[Taichi (wrestler)|Taichi]] before losing to Evil in the semi-finals. Following Evil’s betrayal and departure from LIJ after winning the 2020 New Japan Cup, it was announced that the NEVER 6-Man titles would be vacated and that new champions would be crowned in a tournament. Sanada would occupy Evil’s previous spot and team with Bushi & Shingo Takagi in the tournament, defeating Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, & Douki in the first round but then losing to Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, & Sho in the semi-finals. SANADA would then enter the inaugural KOPW 2020 tournament, defeating Sho once again in a submission match, but failed to capture the trophy in a fatal four way against El Desperado, Toru Yano, & Okada at Jingu Stadium. Sanada then participated in the G1 Climax 30 where he would lose his first three matches, but then go on to win six in a row (including matches against stable mate & IWGP double champion Tetsuya Naito, and former partner Evil) to win his first ever G1 Climax block, before losing to Kota Ibushi in the longest G1 Climax final match in history. At [[Wrestle Kingdom 15]], Sanada defeated Evil. On February 11 at [[The New Beginning in Hiroshima (2021)|The New Beginning in Hiroshima]], he unsuccessfully challenged Kota Ibushi for the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship|IWGP Heavyweight]] and [[IWGP Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championships]]. He then went on to compete in the 2021 New Japan Cup where defeated [[Tomohiro Ishii]] In the first round & defeated [[Yuji Nagata]] in the second round before being eliminated by [[Will Ospreay]] in the quarter final.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.06.22 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75377|access-date=2020-07-06|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.07.01 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75390|access-date=2020-07-06|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.07.03 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75403|access-date=2020-07-06|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.07.02 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75396|access-date=2020-07-06|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref>
Sanada was announced to take part in [[New Japan Cup#2019|2019 New Japan Cup]] and faced [[Hirooki Goto]] in the first round. After defeating Goto, Sanada went on to defeat [[Minoru Suzuki]], [[Colt Cabana]] and then [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]] to make it to the final. Sanada lost in the final against [[Kazuchika Okada]]. On March 28, [[Dave Meltzer]] rated this match 5 stars, which was the first match that Sanada got this rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=227100|title=NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Tag 12|publisher=CageMatch}}</ref> On May 4, the second night of [[Wrestling Dontaku 2019]], Sanada unsuccessfully challenged Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Sanada entered the [[G1 Climax]], where he finished with a record of 4 wins and 5 losses, ending the tournament with 8 points. One of Sanada's wins in the tournament came against Okada, who was still IWGP Heavyweight Champion at the time. It was after [[NJPW Royal Quest]], where Okada successfully defended the championship against Suzuki, when Sanada once again challenged Okada for the Championship. However, at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2019)|King of Pro-Wrestling]], Sanada lost to Okada. On the second night of [[Wrestle Kingdom 14]], Sanada challenged [[Zack Sabre Jr.]] for the [[British Heavyweight Championship]], but was unsuccessful. The following night at New Years Dash!!! Sanada teamed with stablemate, and new [[IWGP Intercontinental Championship|IWGP Intercontinental Champion]] and IWGP Heavyweight Champion, [[Tetsuya Naito]] to defeat [[Bullet Club]]'s [[Jay White]] and [[Kenta Kobayashi|Kenta]]. White would then go on to challenge Sanada to a special singles match at [[The New Beginning in Osaka (2020)|The New Beginning in Osaka]], where White would defeat Sanada. Sanada was then announced to be participating in the New Japan Cup, facing [[Mikey Nicholls]] in the first round. However, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Japan|COVID-19 pandemic]], all New Japan Cup and further events were cancelled. Following NJPW's return to producing shows, Sanada entered the rescheduled 2020 New Japan Cup. He defeated [[Ryusuke Taguchi]], [[Sho (wrestler)|Sho]], and [[Taichi (wrestler)|Taichi]] before losing to Evil in the semi-finals. Following Evil's betrayal and departure from L.I.J. after winning the 2020 New Japan Cup, it was announced that the NEVER 6-Man titles would be vacated and that new champions would be crowned in a tournament. Sanada would occupy Evil's previous spot and team with [[Bushi (wrestler)|Bushi]] and [[Shingo Takagi]] in the tournament, defeating Suzuki-gun in the first round but then losing to Chaos in the semi-finals.


Sanada would then enter the inaugural KOPW 2020 tournament, defeating Sho once again in a submission match, but failed to capture the trophy in a fatal four way against [[El Desperado (wrestler)|El Desperado]], [[Toru Yano]] and Okada at Jingu Stadium. Sanada then participated in the G1 Climax 30 where he would lose his first three matches, but then go on to win six in a row (including matches against stablemate and IWGP double champion Naito, and former partner Evil) to win his first ever G1 Climax block, before losing to [[Kota Ibushi]] in the longest G1 Climax final match in history. At [[Wrestle Kingdom 15]], Sanada defeated Evil. On February 11 at [[The New Beginning in Hiroshima (2021)|The New Beginning in Hiroshima]], he unsuccessfully challenged Ibushi for the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship|IWGP Heavyweight]] and [[IWGP Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championships]]. He then went on to compete in the 2021 New Japan Cup where defeated [[Tomohiro Ishii]] In the first round and defeated [[Yuji Nagata]] in the second round before being eliminated by [[Will Ospreay]] in the quarter final.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.06.22 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75377|access-date=2020-07-06|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.07.01 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75390|access-date=2020-07-06|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.07.03 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75403|access-date=2020-07-06|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.07.02 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75396|access-date=2020-07-06|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref> On July 11 at [[Summer Struggle in Sapporo]] night 2, Sanada and Naito defeated Dangerous Tekkers ([[Taichi (wrestler)|Taichi]] and [[Zack Sabre Jr.]]) to win the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] for the first time as a team. They would lose the championship at [[Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome]], ending their reign at just 14 days.
==== Championship success (2021–present) ====
On July 11 at [[Summer Struggle in Sapporo]] night 2, Sanada & Naito defeated Dangerous Tekkers ([[Taichi (wrestler)|Taichi]] and [[Zack Sabre Jr.]]) to win the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]]s for the first time as a team. They would lose the championships at [[Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome]], ending their reign at just 14 days.


[[File:SANADA202302.png|thumb|right|175px|Sanada in February 2023]]
At [[NJPW New Years Golden Series|New Years Golden Series]] on February 19, Sanada would beat [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]] for the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]], marking his first singles championship victory in New Japan Pro-Wrestling since his debut in April 2016.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/iwgp-us-championship-njpw-golden-series-sanada/ | title=SANADA Wins IWGP US Championship at NJPW Golden Series | date=18 February 2022 }}</ref> Sanada would compete in that years [[New Japan Cup#2022|New Japan Cup]], where he received a bye to the second round. He defeated [[Toa Henare|Aaron Henare]] in the second round, but lost to [[Will Ospreay]] in the third round. The match ended in a [[Professional Wrestling#Knockout|referee stoppage]]. Later, it was revealed Sanada had suffered a [[Orbit (anatomy)|fractured orbital bone]]. Sanada vacated the championship during the Hyper Battle tours, ending his reign at 49 days.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/sanada-vacates-iwgp-united-states-title-at-njpw-hyper-battle | title=SANADA vacates IWGP United States title at NJPW Hyper Battle }}</ref>
At New Years Golden Series on February 19, Sanada would beat Tanahashi for the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]], marking his first singles championship victory in New Japan Pro-Wrestling since his debut in April 2016.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/iwgp-us-championship-njpw-golden-series-sanada/ | title=SANADA Wins IWGP US Championship at NJPW Golden Series | date=18 February 2022 }}</ref> Sanada would compete in that years [[New Japan Cup#2022|New Japan Cup]], where he received a bye to the second round. He defeated [[Henare (wrestler)|Aaron Henare]] in the second round, but lost to Ospreay in the third round. The match ended in a [[Professional Wrestling#Knockout|referee stoppage]]. Later, it was revealed Sanada had suffered a [[Orbit (anatomy)|fractured orbital bone]]. Sanada vacated the championship at [[Hyper Battle '22|Hyper Battle]], ending his reign at 49 days.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/sanada-vacates-iwgp-united-states-title-at-njpw-hyper-battle | title=SANADA vacates IWGP United States title at NJPW Hyper Battle | date=9 April 2022 }}</ref> Sanada returned from injury on June 12 at [[Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall]], where he faced Ospreay for the [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#vacant|vacant]] US title, as former champion [[Juice Robinson]] was forced to vacate due to suffering from [[appendicitis]]. At the event, Ospreay once again defeated Sanada.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theovertimer.com/2022/06/njpw-dominion-6-12-results-jay-white-defeats-kazuchika-okada-to-win-iwgp-world-heavyweight-championship-06-12/ | title=NJPW Dominion 6.12 Results: Jay White Defeats Kazuchika Okada to Win IWGP World Heavyweight Championship (06/12) | date=12 June 2022 }}</ref> Also at the event, Sanada was announced to be a part of the [[G1 Climax 32]] tournament in July, where he would compete in the B Block.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/06/12/field-announced-for-njpw-g1-climax-32/ | title=Field announced for NJPW G1 Climax 32 | date=12 June 2022 }}</ref> He finished with 6 points, failing to advance to the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-g1-climax-32-block-winners-determined-semifinals-set | title=NJPW G1 Climax 32 block winners determined, semifinals set | date=16 August 2022 }}</ref> In October, Sanada competed in a tournament to crown the first [[NJPW World Television Championship|NJPW World Television Champion]], defeating Taichi in the opening round.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.profightdb.com/cards/njpw/battle-autumn-2022---day-3-45887.html | title=NJPW Battle Autumn 2022 - Day 3 at Aore Nagaoka Arena wrestling results - Internet Wrestling Database }}</ref> Sanada then defeated Kenta in the following round.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/njpw-battle-autumn-night-12-results-kenta-vs-sanada/ | title=411Mania }}</ref> In the semi-final round, Sanada lost to [[Ren Narita]], ending his tournament campaign.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/130522?showResult=1 | title=2022.11.05 Battle Autumn '22 &#124; New Japan Pro-Wrestling }}</ref> The following month, Sanada teamed with Naito in the [[World Tag League (NJPW)#2022|World Tag League]], however, the group failed to reach the finals, after ending the tournament with 12 points.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-world-tag-super-junior-tag-league-winners-crowned | title=NJPW World Tag League & Super Junior Tag League winners crowned | date=14 December 2022 }}</ref> At [[Wrestle Kingdom 17]], Sanada teamed with Naito and Bushi, losing to Tanahashi, [[Shota Umino]] and [[Keiji Muto]], in a six-man tag team match, which was Muto's NJPW retirement match.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/01/04/1-4-njpw-wrestle-kingdom-17-report-radicans-results-and-analysis-of-entire-card-including-ospreay-vs-omega-white-vs-okada/ | title=1/4 NJPW WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 REPORT: Radican's results and analysis of entire card including Ospreay vs. Omega, White vs. Okada | date=5 January 2023 }}</ref> On Night 2 on January 21, Sanada lost to former tag team partner [[Manabu Soya]], in a series of matches between ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japón]]'' and the [[Kongo (professional wrestling)|Kongo]] stable.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/137919?showResult=1 | title=2023.01.21 WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 in YOKOHAMA ARENA &#124; NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }}</ref>

====IWGP World Heavyweight Champion (2023–present) ====
In March, Sanada entered the [[New Japan Cup#2023|New Japan Cup]], defeating Taichi and [[Kenta Kobayashi|Kenta]] in the first two rounds.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2023/03/17/sanada-leaves-lij/ | title=SANADA Leaves LIJ, Joins Just 4 Guys | date=17 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/141047?showResult=1 | title=2023.03.10 New Japan Cup 2023 &#124; New Japan Pro-Wrestling }}</ref> In the quarterfinal round, Sanada defeated ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japón]]'' stablemate and leader, [[Tetsuya Naito]]. After the match, Sanada was joined in the ring by [[Taichi (wrestler)|Taichi]], [[Yoshinobu Kanemaru]], [[Taka Michinoku]] and [[Douki]], where they all shook hands. This led to L.I.J. members, [[Hiromu Takahashi]], [[Bushi (wrestler)|Bushi]] and [[Shingo Takagi]] coming to ringside. Sanada then stated that he could not achieve further success in L.I.J., Michinoku and Taichi, then confirmed Sanada was the newest member of the Just 4 Guys stable, thus making it [[Just 5 Guys]]. Sanada then told the LIJ members to leave, confirming his departure from the stable.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2023/03/17/sanada-leaves-lij/ | title=SANADA Leaves LIJ, Joins Just 4 Guys | date=17 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/145820 | title=Four become Five Guys as SANADA leaves LIJ to join Taichi group &#124; NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }}</ref> In the semi-final round, Sanada, now sporting jet-black, shorter hair and a clean shave, defeated [[Mark Davis (wrestler)|Mark Davis]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/141055?showResult=1 | title=2023.03.19 New Japan Cup 2023 &#124; New Japan Pro-Wrestling }}</ref> In the tournament final, Sanada defeated [[David Finlay (wrestler)|David Finlay]], winning the New Japan Cup, his first singles tournament, and setting himself up to face [[Kazuchika Okada]] for the [[IWGP World Heavyweight Championship]] at [[Sakura Genesis 2023|Sakura Genesis]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/new-japan-cup-finals-live-results-sanada-vs-david-finlay | title=New Japan Cup finals live results: SANADA vs. David Finlay | date=21 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/03/22/njpw-releases-card-for-sakura-genesis-on-4-8/ | title=NJPW releases card for Sakura Genesis on 4/8 | newspaper=Post Wrestling &#124; Wwe Aew NXT NJPW Podcasts, News, Reviews | date=22 March 2023 | last1=Pollock | first1=John }}</ref> On April 8 at the event, Sanada defeated Okada for the title, winning his first World Championship in his career.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-sakura-genesis-live-results-okada-vs-sanada | title=NJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Okada vs. SANADA IWGP title match | date=8 April 2023 }}</ref>

Following his title win, Sanada was confronted by his former L.I.J. stablemate [[Hiromu Takahashi]], who challenged him for the World Championship. Sanada accepted on the basis that Kanemaru would be able to challenge for Takahashi's [[IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship]], which Takahashi similarly accepted. Following Takahashi retaining the title against Kanemaru, he faced Sanada at [[Wrestling Dontaku 2023|Wrestling Dontaku]], where Sanada retained the World title.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/142301?showCards=1 | title=2023.05.03 Wrestling Dontaku 2023 &#124; NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }}</ref> Following the match, Sanada and the remainder of Just 5 Guys were attacked by the returning [[Yota Tsuji]], who challenged Sanada for his title.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/05/03/yota-tsuji-returns-to-njpw-at-wrestling-dontaku-takes-out-just-5-five-guys/ | title=Yota Tsuji returns to NJPW at Wrestling Dontaku, takes out Just 5 Five Guys | date=3 May 2023 }}</ref> The title match was made official for [[Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall|Dominion]]. On June 3 at the press conference the day before the event, Tsuji officially joined L.I.J.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1304226/yota-tsuji-joins-los-ingobernables-de-japon-njpw-dominion/ | title=Yota Tsuji Joins los Ingobernables de Japon Ahead of NJPW Dominion | date=3 June 2023 }}</ref> The day after at the event, Sanada retained his title against Tsuji.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-dominion-live-results-seven-title-matches | title=NJPW Dominion live results: Seven title matches | date=4 June 2023 }}</ref> On June 25, Sanada made his third title defence on June 25 at [[Forbidden Door (2023)|Forbidden Door]], defeating [[Jack Perry|"Jungle Boy" Jack Perry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/aew-forbidden-door-jungle-boy-jack-perry-heel-turn-fan-reactions/|title=AEW Forbidden Door: "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry Finally Turned Heel and AEW Fans Love It|first=Nick|last=Valdez|work=ComicBook.com|date=June 25, 2023|accessdate=June 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jack-perry-turns-hook-after-losing-sanada-aew-x-njpw-forbidden-door|title=Jack Perry Turns On HOOK After Losing To SANADA At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door|first=Colin|last=Tessier|work=Fightful|date=June 25, 2023|access-date=June 25, 2023}}</ref> The following month, Sanada entered the annual [[G1 Climax 33|G1 Climax]] tournament, participating in the A Block.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/njpw-g1-climax-33-participants-blocks-full-schedule/|title=NJPW G1 CLIMAX 33 PARTICIPANTS, BLOCKS AND FULL SCHEDULE}}</ref> Sanada finished the tournament with a perfect record, defeating all A Block participants to finish with 14 points, being the only man in the tournament to do so and thus finishing top of the block and advancing to the quarterfinal round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2023/8/9/23825701/new-japan-g1-climax-33-final-block-standings-quarterfinal-matches-sanada-okada-ospreay-kingston|title=New Japan's G1 Climax 33 quarterfinals are set}}</ref> In the quarterfinal round, Sanada was defeated by former tag-team partner Evil, thus eliminating him from the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-g1-climax-33-night-17-live-results-quarterfinals|title=NJPW G1 Climax 33 night 17 live results: Quarterfinals|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Chick|last=Fritts|date=August 10, 2023|access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref>

The loss to Evil caused Sanada to defend the World Championship against the latter, with the title match being scheduled as a [[Lumberjack match]] for [[Destruction (2023)#Night 2|Destruction in Ryōgoku]] on October 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/sanada-vs-evil-david-finlay-vs-tama-tonga-more-announced-njpw-destruction-ryogoku|title=SANADA vs. EVIL, David Finlay vs. Tama Tonga, More Announced For NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku|work=Fightful|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|date=August 18, 2023|access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> On September 24 at [[Destruction (2023)#Night 1|Destruction in Kobe]], Kanemaru betrayed Just 5 Guys, joining Evil's [[Bullet Club#Sub-groups|House of Torture]] stable, reverting Just 5 Guys back to Just 4 Guys.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2023/09/24/kanemaru-fools-everyone-at-destruction/|title=KANEMARU FOOLS EVERYONE AT DESTRUCTION|work=Slam Wrestling|first=John|last=Powell|date=September 24, 2023|access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> On October 9, Just 4 Guys reverted to Just 5 Guys, when [[Yuya Uemura]] returned from excursion and joined the stable.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/yuya-uemura-joins-just-5-guys-njpw-destruction-ryogoku|title=Yuya Uemura Joins Just Five Guys At NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku|work=Fightful|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|date=October 9, 2023|access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> In the show's main event, Sanada defeated Evil to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, in his fourth successful defence. Following the victory, Naito, the G1 Climax winner and former stablemate, confronted Sanada about their upcoming title match at [[Wrestle Kingdom 18]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-destruction-in-ryogoku-live-results-sanada-vs-evil-lumberjack-match|title=NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku live results: SANADA vs. EVIL lumberjack match|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Chick|last=Fritts|date=October 9, 2023|access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> On January 4, 2024 at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Sanada was defeated in the main event by Naito, ending his record reign at 271 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-18-live-results-sanada-vs-naito-okada-vs-danielson|title=NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 live results: SANADA vs. Naito, Okada vs. Danielson|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Chick|last=Fritts|date=January 4, 2024|access-date=January 16, 2024}}</ref> On February 24 at [[The New Beginning in Sapporo (2024)|The New Beginning in Sapporo: Night 2]], Sanada unsuccessfully attempted to regain the championship from Naito.


==Championships and accomplishments==
==Championships and accomplishments==
{{multiple image
[[File:Sanada as IWGP Tag Team Champion.jpg|thumb|Sanada as IWGP Tag Team Champion in 2018]]
| align = right
[[File:SANADA, EVIL and BUSHI NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions.jpg|thumb|Sanada with [[Tetsuya Bushi|Bushi]] and [[Takaaki Watanabe|Evil]] as the [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions]] in February 2017]]
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| image1 = SANADA (52829149645) (cropped).jpg
| image2 = Sanada as IWGP Tag Team Champion.jpg
| image3 = SANADA, EVIL and BUSHI NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions.jpg
| caption1 = Sanada is a one-time [[IWGP World Heavyweight Championship|IWGP World Heavyweight Champion]]...
| caption2 = As well as a three-time [[IWGP Tag Team Champion]]...
| caption3 = ...and a three-time [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion]], as he was here with [[Bushi (wrestler)|Bushi]] and [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]] in February 2017
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}}
*'''[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
**[[All Asia Tag Team Championship]] ([[All Asia Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with [[Manabu Soya]]<ref name=AJPW/><ref name=W1/>
**[[All Asia Tag Team Championship]] ([[All Asia Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with [[Manabu Soya]]<ref name=AJPW/><ref name=W1/>
Line 77: Line 99:
**[[World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] ([[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#2011|2011]]) – with [[Kai (wrestler)|Kai]]
**[[World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] ([[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#2011|2011]]) – with [[Kai (wrestler)|Kai]]
*'''[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'''
**[[IWGP World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[IWGP World Heavyweight Championship#Reigns|1 time]])
**[[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of IWGP United States Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])
**[[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of IWGP United States Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])
**[[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of IWGP Tag Team Champions|3 times]]) – with [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]] (2)<ref name=WrestleKingdom12WON/> and [[Tetsuya Naito]] (1)
**[[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of IWGP Tag Team Champions|3 times]]) – with [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]] (2)<ref name=WrestleKingdom12WON/> and [[Tetsuya Naito]] (1)
**[[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions|3 times]]) – with [[Tetsuya Bushi|Bushi]] and [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]]<ref name=WrestleKingdom11WON/><ref name=TheNewBeginninginOsaka2017WON/><ref name=WrestlingDontaku2017WON/>
**[[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions|3 times]]) – with [[Bushi (wrestler)|Bushi]] and Evil<ref name=WrestleKingdom11WON/><ref name=TheNewBeginninginOsaka2017WON/><ref name=WrestlingDontaku2017WON/>
**[[World Tag League (NJPW)|World Tag League]] ([[World Tag League (NJPW)#2017|2017]], [[World Tag League (NJPW)#2018|2018]]) – with [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]]<ref name=NJPW121117/>
**[[New Japan Cup]] ([[New Japan Cup#2023|2023]])
**[[World Tag League (NJPW)|World Tag League]] ([[World Tag League (NJPW)#2017|2017]], [[World Tag League (NJPW)#2018|2018]]) – with Evil<ref name=NJPW121117/>
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
** Ranked No. 42 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]]'' in 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2019.html|title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019 - the Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 11 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[PWI 500]]'' in 2024<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2023.html|title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2023 - the Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref>
*'''[[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]]'''
**[[TNA X Division Championship]] ([[List of TNA X Division Champions|1 time]])<ref name=W1Outbreak/>
**[[Impact X Division Championship]] ([[List of Impact X Division Champions|1 time]])<ref name=W1Outbreak/>
**[[TNA One Night Only#Global Impact: USA vs The World|Global Impact Tournament (2015)]] – with Team International {{small|([[Angelina Love]], [[Bram (wrestler)|Bram]], [[Drew Galloway]], [[Keiji Mutoh|The Great Muta]], [[Mahabali Shera|Khoya]], [[Magnus (wrestler)|Magnus]], [[Rockstar Spud]], [[Sonjay Dutt]] and [[Tigre Uno]])}}
**[[TNA One Night Only#Global Impact: USA vs The World|Global Impact Tournament (2015)]] – with Team International {{small|([[Angelina Love]], [[Thom Latimer|Bram]], [[Drew McIntyre|Drew Galloway]], [[Keiji Muto|The Great Muta]], [[Mahabali Shera|Khoya]], [[Nick Aldis|Magnus]], [[Rockstar Spud]], [[Sonjay Dutt]] and [[Tigre Uno]])}}
*'''''[[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards|Tokyo Sports]]'''''
*'''''[[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards|Tokyo Sports]]'''''
**[[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Best Bout Award|Best Bout Award]] (2019) <small>vs. [[Kazuchika Okada]] (October 14 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2019)|King of Pro-Wrestling]])</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/1654164/|script-title=ja:【プロレス大賞】オカダ・カズチカ 貫禄のMVP&ベストバウト2冠「五輪に負けないぐらい盛り上げたい」|date=2019-12-11|access-date=2019-12-11|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref>
**[[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Best Bout Award|Best Bout Award]] (2019) <small>vs. [[Kazuchika Okada]] (October 14 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2019)|King of Pro-Wrestling]])</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/1654164/|script-title=ja:【プロレス大賞】オカダ・カズチカ 貫禄のMVP&ベストバウト2冠「五輪に負けないぐらい盛り上げたい」|date=2019-12-11|access-date=2019-12-11|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref>
*'''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
*'''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|Best Gimmick]] (2017) <small> as part of Los Ingobernables de Japón</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-radio/wor-2017-wrestling-observer-newsletter-awards-discussion-and-more-253601|title=WOR: 2017 WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER AWARDS DISCUSSION AND MORE!|last=Alvarez|first=Bryan|author-link=Bryan Alvarez|date=March 15, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2018|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref>
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|Best Gimmick]] (2017) <small> as part of Los Ingobernables de Japón</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-radio/wor-2017-wrestling-observer-newsletter-awards-discussion-and-more-253601|title=WOR: 2017 WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER AWARDS DISCUSSION AND MORE!|last=Alvarez|first=Bryan|author-link=Bryan Alvarez|date=March 15, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2018|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Overrated|Most Overrated]] (2023)<ref name= name="Melz23">{{cite web |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=February 26, 2024 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Observer Awards issue |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/newsletters/wrestling-observer-newsletter/february-26-2024-observer-newsletter-2023-observer-awards-issue |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |access-date=February 23, 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150530225057/http://www.w-1.co.jp/player/sanada.php Wrestle-1 profile]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150530225057/http://www.w-1.co.jp/player/sanada.php Wrestle-1 profile]
*[http://www.puroresucentral.com/sanada.html Puroresu Central profile]
*[http://www.puroresucentral.com/sanada.html Puroresu Central profile]



{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
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| after = [[Juice Robinson]] & [[David Finlay (wrestler)|David Finlay]]
| after = [[Juice Robinson]] & [[David Finlay (wrestler)|David Finlay]]
}}
}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[New Japan Cup]] winner
| years = 2023
| with =
| before = [[Zack Sabre Jr.]]
| after = Incumbent
}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Kazuchika Okada]]}}
{{S-ttl|title = 7th [[IWGP World Heavyweight Championship|IWGP World Heavyweight Champion]]| years = April 8, 2023 – January 4. 2024}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Tetsuya Naito]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}


{{Navboxes|list1=
{{Navboxes
|list1=
{{Los Ingobernables de Japon}}
{{All Asia Tag Team Championship}}
{{All Asia Tag Team Championship}}
{{World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)}}
{{All Japan Gaora TV Championship}}
{{IWGP Tag Team Championship}}
{{IWGP Tag Team Championship}}
{{IWGP United States Championship}}
{{IWGP United States Championship}}
{{All Japan Gaora TV Championship}}
{{IWGP World Heavyweight Championship}}
{{G1 Tag League}}
{{G1 Tag League}}
{{New Japan Cup}}
{{NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship}}
{{NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship}}
{{New Japan Pro Wrestling personnel}}
{{New Japan Pro Wrestling personnel}}
{{TNA X Division Championship}}
{{TNA X Division Championship}}
{{World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)}}
{{World's Strongest Tag Determination League}}
{{World's Strongest Tag Determination League}}
{{Just 5 Guys}}
{{Los Ingobernables de Japon}}
}}
}}


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[[Category:People from Niigata (city)]]
[[Category:People from Niigata (city)]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Niigata Prefecture]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Niigata Prefecture]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:TNA/Impact X Division Champions]]
[[Category:NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:All Asia Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:World Tag Team Champions (AJPW)]]
[[Category:Gaora TV Champions]]
[[Category:IWGP World Heavyweight champions]]
[[Category:World Tag League (NJPW) winners]]

Latest revision as of 16:45, 11 April 2024

Sanada
Sanada as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in April 2023
Birth nameSeiya Sanada
Born (1988-01-28) January 28, 1988 (age 36)[1][2][3]
Niigata, Japan[1][2][3]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Great Sanada[4]
Kiyonari Sanada
Seiya Sanada
Sanada
Billed height1.82 m (5 ft 11+12 in)[1][2][3]
Billed weight100 kg (220 lb)[3]
Trained byTaiyō Kea
Kaz Hayashi[5]
Keiji Muto[6]
Osamu Nishimura[5]
Satoshi Kojima[5]
Kohei Suwama[5]
DebutMarch 13, 2007[1][2][3]

Seiya Sanada (真田 聖也, Sanada Seiya, born January 28, 1988),[1][2] better known by his mononymous ring name Sanada (stylized in all caps), is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the Just 5 Guys stable. He is a former and longest-reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

As part of NJPW, Sanada is mostly known for his tag team with Evil as a part of Los Ingobernables de Japón, with whom he is a two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, two-time World Tag League winner, and a three-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion (alongside Bushi). He also had a short reign as IWGP Tag Team Champion with Tetsuya Naito. He won his first NJPW singles title, the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, in early 2022, and won the 2023 New Japan Cup, which led to him winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. He is also known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he was the first Gaora TV Champion, a two-time All Asia Tag Team Champion, a one-time World Tag Team Champion, and the winner of the 2011 World's Strongest Tag Determination League tournament. Sanada is also known for his time in the Japanese Wrestle-1 (W-1) and American Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) promotions. Through the W-1/TNA working relationship, Sanada became a one time TNA X Division Champion, winning the title at the collaborative Kaisen: Outbreak.

Professional wrestling career[edit]

Early career[edit]

In 2005, Sanada tried to earn a training spot in the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) dojo, but failed to pass an introductory test. Sanada took the test alongside future NJPW wrestlers Tetsuya Naito and Yoshi-Hashi.[7] Afterwards, Sanada began looking to other promotions for a training school.[8]

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2007–2013)[edit]

Sanada was eventually trained by Keiji Muto's All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) affiliated Mutohjuku school[6] and turned pro on March 13, 2007, in a losing effort teaming with Ryuji Hijikata against Katsuhiko Nakajima and T28. Within a few months into his career, Sanada won his first honor when he teamed with Kensuke Sasaki and Nakajima to win the Samurai! TV Triple Arrow Tournament on May 29, 2007.[6] Following the tournament victory, Sanada spent the next two years in opening match wrestling other up-and-comers and began teaming with Manabu Soya.[9] By 2009, Sanada began moving up the card as he took part in his first Champion Carnival but finished last with no points.[10] Later in the year, Sanada broke up with Soya and briefly teamed up with Osamu Nishimura with the two entering the 2009 World's Strongest Tag Determination League with Sanada even getting a pinfall victory over the tag team champions: Taiyō Kea and Minoru Suzuki but the team's run ended when Sanada suffered the flu and had to withdraw from the tournament.[9]

Sanada in 2011

In 2010, Sanada once again entered the Champion Carnival but the results were the same as he finished last in his block with no points.[11] By the spring, Sanada helped form the New Generation Force stable with Suwama, Masayuki Kono, Ryota Hama, and Manabu Soya. On August 29, 2010 at Pro Wrestling Love in Ryogoku Vol. 10, Sanada and Soya defeated Taru and Big Daddy Voodoo to win the All Asia Tag Team Championship.[12] Sanada and Soya entered the 2010 World's Strongest Tag Determination League in the fall where they finished in 6th place with 7 points.[13] Sanada and Soya would lose the All Asia Tag Team Championship to Daisuke Sekimoto and Yuji Okabayashi on March 21, 2011. During the year 2011, Sanada reached his full potential by reaching the final against Yuji Nagata, but loss to him in the final. He also entered in 2011 World's Strongest Tag Determination League with Kai and won the tournament by defeating Masayuki Kono and Masakatsu Funaki in the final. They then challenged the All Japan World Tag Team Champions Dark Cuervo and Dark Ozz for a title shot but came up short. They then faced each other in a singles match, which led to Sanada winning that match. After the match they both had an interview and Sanada decided that they should part ways and move on with their Tag Team which Kai also agreed on. In 2012 he then challenged All Japan ace Suwama to a 60-minute match but also fell short in that match. He then challenged his former trainer Satoshi Kojima to match but also fell short after a Lariat by Kojima, during the Match he sustained a right knee injury but still wrestled and took a little time off to heal his knee. He then participated in 2012's Champion Carnival and lost to his former tag partner Manabu Soya. But he then won his first match against Soya's brother Takumi Soya and debuted a new finisher called "This Is It". On May 20, 2012, Sanada and Joe Doering defeated Soya and Takao Omori to win the World Tag Team Championship.[14] Sanada and Doering lost the title back to Soya and Ōmori on June 17.[15] On October 7, 2012, Sanada defeated Yasufumi Nakanoue in a tournament final to become the inaugural Gaora TV Champion.[16] After reaching the semifinals of the 2013 Champion Carnival, All Japan announced on May 1, 2013, that Sanada would be leaving on a learning excursion to Moncton, Canada, where he would train under Emile Duprée.[17][18] During the excursion, Sanada lost the Gaora TV Championship to René Duprée on May 27.[19]

Wrestle-1 (2013–2015)[edit]

On July 1, while still in Canada, Sanada announced his resignation from All Japan, taking part in a mass exodus caused by Nobuo Shiraishi becoming the promotion's new president.[20] Following his resignation, Sanada traveled to Mexico on his own expense to continue his training.[21] Though Sanada was not announced as part of Keiji Muto's splinter promotion Wrestle-1, he did make a surprise appearance at the promotion's inaugural event on September 8, losing to Kai in a singles match.[22] Sanada and Kai had a rematch in the main event of Wrestle-1's second show on September 15; this time Sanada was victorious.[23] On September 24, Wrestle-1 announced that Sanada had signed a contract with the promotion.[24][25] Sanada wrestled his first match under a Wrestle-1 contract on October 6, losing to Kai in the main event of the promotion's first event in Korakuen Hall. As a result, Kai won the series between him and Sanada 3–2.[26][27] On November 16, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged visiting American wrestler A.J. Styles for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[28]

Sanada in January 2015

In early 2014, Sanada was offered an opportunity to earn another shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but he instead opted to go for the TNA X Division Championship. On February 15, Sanada defeated nineteen other men in a battle royal to become the number one contender to the title.[29] On March 2 at Kaisen: Outbreak, Sanada defeated Austin Aries to become the new TNA X Division Champion.[30] The following day, Wrestle-1 announced Sanada would be leaving Japan to work for TNA indefinitely.[31] Sanada continued making sporadic appearances for Wrestle-1, defending his X Division Championship against Seiki Yoshioka on March 22 and against Christopher Daniels on April 17,[32][33] while also losing to The Great Muta in the main event of Wrestle-1's second Ryōgoku Kokugikan event, Shōgeki: Impact, on July 6.[34][35] The following day, Wrestle-1 and Sanada held a press conference to announce that he had signed a contract with TNA, giving him a dual contract between Wrestle-1 and the American promotion.[36][37]

Sanada returned to working for Wrestle-1 full-time in October 2014, when TNA went inactive for the rest of the year.[38] The following month, Sanada teamed up with Hiroshi Yamato for the First Tag League Greatest tournament, set to determine the inaugural Wrestle-1 Tag Team Champions. The team finished their block with a record of one win, two draws and one loss, narrowly missing advancement to the semifinals.[39] On December 22, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged Muto for the Wrestle-1 Championship.[40] On May 13, 2015, Sanada held a press conference in Japan, where he announced that he was leaving Wrestle-1 once his contract expired two days later, so he could continue working in the United States full-time as a freelancer.[41][42]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2014–2015)[edit]

Sanada made his TNA debut on March 9 at Lockdown, where he, working under just his family name, teamed with The Great Muta and Yasu to defeat Chris Sabin and Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Kazarian) in a six-man tag team steel cage match.[43] Four days later, Sanada made his Impact Wrestling debut, teaming with Tigre Uno to defeat TNA World Tag Team Champions The BroMans (Jessie Godderz and Robbie E), in a non-title match.[44] As a result, the two received a shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship the following week, but were defeated in a three-way match, which also included The Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards).[45] Sanada and Tigre Uno were then put against each other in a "best of three" match series for the TNA X Division Championship.[46] On April 27 at Sacrifice, Sanada defeated Uno to win the series 2–1 and retain the X Division Championship.[47] On June 15 at Slammiversary XII, Sanada defeated Crazzy Steve, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Manik and Tigre Uno in a six-way ladder match to retain the X Division Championship.[48] On the July 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, Sanada lost the X Division Championship back to Austin Aries.[49]

On the July 24 Impact Wrestling, Sanada took part in an angle, where he turned on his mentor The Great Muta, hitting him with a steel chair and a moonsault, after initially saving him from James Storm.[50] The following week at Destination X, Storm introduced Sanada as his new protégé, before he defeated Brian Cage and Crazzy Steve to advance to the final of a tournament for the vacant X Division Championship.[51] On the August 7 Impact Wrestling, Sanada was defeated by Samoa Joe in the final of the tournament, which also included Low Ki.[52] After signing a one-year contract with TNA,[53] Sanada debuted the new ring name "The Great Sanada" and a look inspired by The Great Muta on the August 27 Impact Wrestling, defeating Austin Aries with help from Storm.[4] Sanada and Storm were eventually joined by Abyss and Manik to form a stable named The Revolution.[54] On October 12, Sanada main evented TNA's Bound for Glory event in Tokyo, teaming with Storm in a tag team match, where they were defeated by The Great Muta and Tajiri.[55] On the April 10, 2015 Impact Wrestling, Storm dismissed Sanada from The Revolution, stating that Sanada had let him down one too many times.[56] Sanada's departure from TNA was officially confirmed by the promotion on April 16.[57]

Independent circuit (2014–2016)[edit]

On September 20, 2014, Sanada, using his villainous Great Sanada persona, made his debut for American independent promotion Chikara, entering the annual Rey de Voladores tournament. After defeating Amasis, A. R. Fox and Orlando Christopher in his opening four-way elimination match,[58] Sanada was defeated in the final of the tournament the following day by Shynron.[59] After leaving TNA in April 2015, Sanada began working more regularly on the American independent circuit.[60] On May 6, Global Force Wrestling (GFW) announced Sanada as part of their roster.[61] He made his debut for the promotion on July 11, teaming with Takaaki Watanabe in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Bullet Club (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson).[62] Though now living in the United States, in July Sanada flew back to Japan to take part in a WWE tryout held by William Regal.[63] In August 2016, Sanada teamed with Minoru Fujita and Mazada to defeat the team of Harashima, Kotaro Suzuki and Masato Tanaka at a Tokyo Gurentai event.[64]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2016–present)[edit]

Teaming with Evil (2016–2019)[edit]

Sanada in May 2016, shortly after joining Los Ingobernables de Japón

On April 10, 2016, Sanada, sporting a new look including a mohawk, made a surprise debut for NJPW at Invasion Attack 2016 by interfering in the main event and helping Tetsuya Naito defeat Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, joining Naito's Los Ingobernables de Japón (L.I.J.) stable in the process.[65] The following day, NJPW announced Sanada's new ring name; SANADA, his family name stylized in all capital letters.[66] Though he started working for NJPW full-time, Sanada remained a freelancer.[67] Sanada wrestled his first NJPW match on April 17, when he and his L.I.J. stablemates Naito, Bushi and Evil defeated Gedo, Hirooki Goto, Okada and Tomohiro Ishii, with him submitting Gedo for the win.[68] Sanada's first big match in NJPW took place on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2016, where he was defeated by Okada.[69] On July 18, Sanada entered the 2016 G1 Climax, opening his tournament by scoring a major win over Hiroshi Tanahashi.[70] He finished the tournament on August 12 with a record of four wins and five losses.[71] At the end of the year, Sanada took part in the 2016 World Tag League, teaming with stablemate Evil. The two finished second in their block with a record of five wins and two losses, tied with block winners Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma, but failed to advance to the final due to losing the head-to-head match against Makabe and Honma.[72]

On January 4, 2017, at Wrestle Kingdom 11, Sanada, Bushi and Evil won a four-team gauntlet match to become the new NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions.[73] They lost the title to Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Ryusuke Taguchi the next day,[74] before regaining it on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka.[75] They lost the title to Tanahashi, Taguchi and Ricochet in their second defense on April 4,[76] before regaining it on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2017.[77] During the summer, Sanada took part in the 2017 G1 Climax, where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses.[78] In December, Sanada and Evil won their block in the 2017 World Tag League with a record of five wins and two losses, advancing to the final of the tournament.[79] On December 11, they defeated Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) in the final to win the tournament.[80] Six days later, Sanada, Bushi and Evil lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to Guerrillas of Destiny and Bad Luck Fale in their fourth defense.[81]

On January 4, 2018, at Wrestle Kingdom 12, Evil and Sanada defeated the Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the first time.[82] The following day at New Year Dash!! in a post-show interview, Sanada challenged Kazuchika Okada to an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match at The New Beginning in Osaka. At the event, he lost to Okada.[83] In April at Wrestling Hinokuni 2018, Evil and Sanada defeated Killer Elite Squad for their second successful defense. At Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, Evil and Sanada lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to the Young Bucks. The rematch was set on July 7, at G1 Special in San Francisco, but they were unsuccessful in regaining the title. During the summer, Sanada took part in the 2018 G1 Climax, where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance from his block.[84] He also got a huge win against Kota Ibushi in the tournament. In December, Evil and Sanada took part in 2018 World Tag League. Team first qualified to the final and then defeated Guerrillas of Destiny to win the tournament.[85] On January 4, 2019, at Wrestle Kingdom 13, Evil and Sanada defeated both Guerrillas of Destiny and Young Bucks to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the second time.[86] The following day at New Year Dash!!, Suzuki-gun attacked Los Ingobernables de Japón. Minoru Suzuki and Zack Sabre Jr. challenged Evil and Sanada for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. At The New Beginning in Sapporo, they retained their titles.[87] At Honor Rising: Japan 2019, Evil and Sanada lost the titles in their second defense against Guerillas of Destiny.

Championship pursuits (2019–2023)[edit]

Sanada in October 2019

Sanada was announced to take part in 2019 New Japan Cup and faced Hirooki Goto in the first round. After defeating Goto, Sanada went on to defeat Minoru Suzuki, Colt Cabana and then Hiroshi Tanahashi to make it to the final. Sanada lost in the final against Kazuchika Okada. On March 28, Dave Meltzer rated this match 5 stars, which was the first match that Sanada got this rating.[88] On May 4, the second night of Wrestling Dontaku 2019, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Sanada entered the G1 Climax, where he finished with a record of 4 wins and 5 losses, ending the tournament with 8 points. One of Sanada's wins in the tournament came against Okada, who was still IWGP Heavyweight Champion at the time. It was after NJPW Royal Quest, where Okada successfully defended the championship against Suzuki, when Sanada once again challenged Okada for the Championship. However, at King of Pro-Wrestling, Sanada lost to Okada. On the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 14, Sanada challenged Zack Sabre Jr. for the British Heavyweight Championship, but was unsuccessful. The following night at New Years Dash!!! Sanada teamed with stablemate, and new IWGP Intercontinental Champion and IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Tetsuya Naito to defeat Bullet Club's Jay White and Kenta. White would then go on to challenge Sanada to a special singles match at The New Beginning in Osaka, where White would defeat Sanada. Sanada was then announced to be participating in the New Japan Cup, facing Mikey Nicholls in the first round. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all New Japan Cup and further events were cancelled. Following NJPW's return to producing shows, Sanada entered the rescheduled 2020 New Japan Cup. He defeated Ryusuke Taguchi, Sho, and Taichi before losing to Evil in the semi-finals. Following Evil's betrayal and departure from L.I.J. after winning the 2020 New Japan Cup, it was announced that the NEVER 6-Man titles would be vacated and that new champions would be crowned in a tournament. Sanada would occupy Evil's previous spot and team with Bushi and Shingo Takagi in the tournament, defeating Suzuki-gun in the first round but then losing to Chaos in the semi-finals.

Sanada would then enter the inaugural KOPW 2020 tournament, defeating Sho once again in a submission match, but failed to capture the trophy in a fatal four way against El Desperado, Toru Yano and Okada at Jingu Stadium. Sanada then participated in the G1 Climax 30 where he would lose his first three matches, but then go on to win six in a row (including matches against stablemate and IWGP double champion Naito, and former partner Evil) to win his first ever G1 Climax block, before losing to Kota Ibushi in the longest G1 Climax final match in history. At Wrestle Kingdom 15, Sanada defeated Evil. On February 11 at The New Beginning in Hiroshima, he unsuccessfully challenged Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. He then went on to compete in the 2021 New Japan Cup where defeated Tomohiro Ishii In the first round and defeated Yuji Nagata in the second round before being eliminated by Will Ospreay in the quarter final.[89][90][91][92] On July 11 at Summer Struggle in Sapporo night 2, Sanada and Naito defeated Dangerous Tekkers (Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr.) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the first time as a team. They would lose the championship at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome, ending their reign at just 14 days.

Sanada in February 2023

At New Years Golden Series on February 19, Sanada would beat Tanahashi for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, marking his first singles championship victory in New Japan Pro-Wrestling since his debut in April 2016.[93] Sanada would compete in that years New Japan Cup, where he received a bye to the second round. He defeated Aaron Henare in the second round, but lost to Ospreay in the third round. The match ended in a referee stoppage. Later, it was revealed Sanada had suffered a fractured orbital bone. Sanada vacated the championship at Hyper Battle, ending his reign at 49 days.[94] Sanada returned from injury on June 12 at Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall, where he faced Ospreay for the vacant US title, as former champion Juice Robinson was forced to vacate due to suffering from appendicitis. At the event, Ospreay once again defeated Sanada.[95] Also at the event, Sanada was announced to be a part of the G1 Climax 32 tournament in July, where he would compete in the B Block.[96] He finished with 6 points, failing to advance to the semi-finals.[97] In October, Sanada competed in a tournament to crown the first NJPW World Television Champion, defeating Taichi in the opening round.[98] Sanada then defeated Kenta in the following round.[99] In the semi-final round, Sanada lost to Ren Narita, ending his tournament campaign.[100] The following month, Sanada teamed with Naito in the World Tag League, however, the group failed to reach the finals, after ending the tournament with 12 points.[101] At Wrestle Kingdom 17, Sanada teamed with Naito and Bushi, losing to Tanahashi, Shota Umino and Keiji Muto, in a six-man tag team match, which was Muto's NJPW retirement match.[102] On Night 2 on January 21, Sanada lost to former tag team partner Manabu Soya, in a series of matches between Los Ingobernables de Japón and the Kongo stable.[103]

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion (2023–present)[edit]

In March, Sanada entered the New Japan Cup, defeating Taichi and Kenta in the first two rounds.[104][105] In the quarterfinal round, Sanada defeated Los Ingobernables de Japón stablemate and leader, Tetsuya Naito. After the match, Sanada was joined in the ring by Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taka Michinoku and Douki, where they all shook hands. This led to L.I.J. members, Hiromu Takahashi, Bushi and Shingo Takagi coming to ringside. Sanada then stated that he could not achieve further success in L.I.J., Michinoku and Taichi, then confirmed Sanada was the newest member of the Just 4 Guys stable, thus making it Just 5 Guys. Sanada then told the LIJ members to leave, confirming his departure from the stable.[106][107] In the semi-final round, Sanada, now sporting jet-black, shorter hair and a clean shave, defeated Mark Davis.[108] In the tournament final, Sanada defeated David Finlay, winning the New Japan Cup, his first singles tournament, and setting himself up to face Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis.[109][110] On April 8 at the event, Sanada defeated Okada for the title, winning his first World Championship in his career.[111]

Following his title win, Sanada was confronted by his former L.I.J. stablemate Hiromu Takahashi, who challenged him for the World Championship. Sanada accepted on the basis that Kanemaru would be able to challenge for Takahashi's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, which Takahashi similarly accepted. Following Takahashi retaining the title against Kanemaru, he faced Sanada at Wrestling Dontaku, where Sanada retained the World title.[112] Following the match, Sanada and the remainder of Just 5 Guys were attacked by the returning Yota Tsuji, who challenged Sanada for his title.[113] The title match was made official for Dominion. On June 3 at the press conference the day before the event, Tsuji officially joined L.I.J.[114] The day after at the event, Sanada retained his title against Tsuji.[115] On June 25, Sanada made his third title defence on June 25 at Forbidden Door, defeating "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry.[116][117] The following month, Sanada entered the annual G1 Climax tournament, participating in the A Block.[118] Sanada finished the tournament with a perfect record, defeating all A Block participants to finish with 14 points, being the only man in the tournament to do so and thus finishing top of the block and advancing to the quarterfinal round.[119] In the quarterfinal round, Sanada was defeated by former tag-team partner Evil, thus eliminating him from the tournament.[120]

The loss to Evil caused Sanada to defend the World Championship against the latter, with the title match being scheduled as a Lumberjack match for Destruction in Ryōgoku on October 9.[121] On September 24 at Destruction in Kobe, Kanemaru betrayed Just 5 Guys, joining Evil's House of Torture stable, reverting Just 5 Guys back to Just 4 Guys.[122] On October 9, Just 4 Guys reverted to Just 5 Guys, when Yuya Uemura returned from excursion and joined the stable.[123] In the show's main event, Sanada defeated Evil to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, in his fourth successful defence. Following the victory, Naito, the G1 Climax winner and former stablemate, confronted Sanada about their upcoming title match at Wrestle Kingdom 18.[124] On January 4, 2024 at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Sanada was defeated in the main event by Naito, ending his record reign at 271 days.[125] On February 24 at The New Beginning in Sapporo: Night 2, Sanada unsuccessfully attempted to regain the championship from Naito.

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

Sanada is a one-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion...
As well as a three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion...
...and a three-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, as he was here with Bushi and Evil in February 2017

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External links[edit]


Achievements
Preceded by World Tag League winner
2017 & 2018
With: Evil
Succeeded by
Preceded by New Japan Cup winner
2023
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by 7th IWGP World Heavyweight Champion
April 8, 2023 – January 4. 2024
Succeeded by