Wrestle Kingdom 18 took place on January 4, 2024. (Photo Credits: NJPW World)
At Wrestle Kingdom 18, Takashi Iizuka made his return to professional wrestling and competed in a match for the first time in five years.
Ad
Iizuka is a former member of the legendary Suzuki-gun. He joined the stable in 2014 when he turned on Toru Yano and betrayed the CHAOS faction.
During the New Japan RANBO at Wrestle Kingdom 18, the 57-year-old legend returned to in-ring competition. He briefly joined the House of Torture before turning his back on them.
Watch Iizuka in action at Wrestle Kingdom 18:
Female superstar says she inspired John Cena turning heel HERE
Ad
Trending
Iizuka retired from professional wrestling in February 2019 after being a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling for 33 years.
In the weeks leading up to his retirement, Iizuka's former tag team partner, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, asked him to return to his former self. In his final match, Iizuka teamed up with Minoru Suzuki and Taichi and lost to the trio of Tenzan, Kazuchika Okada, and Toru Yano.
Ad
After his final match, Iizuka briefly reunited with Tenzan before Suzuki-gun jumped him. He left his iron glove in the ring and confirmed his retirement.
Going forward, it remains to be seen if Iizuka will be a part of NJPW, having made his in-ring return.
What are your thoughts on Iizuka's return? Sound off in the comments section below.
×
Feedback
Why did you not like this content?
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
About the author
Soumik Datta
Soumik Datta is a professional wrestling journalist who has been following the business for more than a decade.
In 2017, Soumik joined the Sportskeeda Wrestling team and is best known for his work with the WWE team. He has previously contributed to the Sportskeeda AEW, MMA, and the football team where he specifically covered the Major League Soccer.
In 2024, Soumik crossed 50 million reads for Sportskeeda WWE. While working under Sportskeeda MMA, he interviewed prominent UFC fighters, including Justin Gaethje, Sean O'Malley, and Cory Sandhagen, among others. Prior to joining Sportskeeda, Soumik briefly worked for SEScoops and Sports Nova.
Apart from his love for professional wrestling, Soumik also watches Football and has been a lifelong follower of Liverpool FC and Mohun Bagan. He has also been following the Indian Super League and remains the only content creator to have traveled across India to watch 7 ISL Matches in 7 Days, a video which currently sits at 26K views on his YouTube channel. His channel currently amasses over 120K views.
As aforementioned, Soumik also likes to make content for his YouTube channel and travel to various places either with family, friends, or solo, or go on road trips.
(Go SUBSCRIBE to his channel while you're at it): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfkg4VnUC7sLNc5jEzVYgOQ
'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Trending
