SANADA

SANADA in March 2023

###

Niigata, Japan

**Seiya Sanada** (真田 聖也 Sanada Seiya) (born January 28, 1988) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) as **SANADA** (stylized in all capital letters), where he is a former one-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, while also being a former IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, a former three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, a former three-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, the winner of the 2017 and 2018 World Tag League and the 2023 New Japan Cup.

He is also known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he was the first Gaora TV Champion when he won a tournament, a two-time All Asia Tag Team Champion, and a one-time World Tag Team Champion after winning the 2011 World's Strongest Tag Determination League. Sanada is also known for his time in the Japanese Wrestle-1 and American Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) promotions, performing in the latter as **The Great Sanada** and becoming a one-time TNA X Division Champion.

## Professional wrestling career

### Early career

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. Afterwards, Sanada began looking to other promotions for a training school.

### All Japan Pro Wrestling (2007–2013)

Sanada was eventually trained by Keiji Mutoh's All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) affiliated Mutohjuku school 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. Following the tournament victory, Sanada spent the next two years in opening match wrestling other up-and-comers and began teaming with Manabu Soya. By 2009, Sanada began moving up the card as he took part in his first Champion Carnival but finished last with no points. 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: Taiyo Kea and Minoru Suzuki but the team's run ended when Sanada suffered the flu and had to withdraw from the tournament.

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. 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. Sanada and Soya entered the 2010 World's Strongest Tag Determination League in the fall where they finished in 6th place with 7 points. 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 finals against Yuji Nagata, but loss to him in the finals. 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 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 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. Sanada and Doering lost the title back to Soya and Ōmori on June 17. On October 7, 2012, Sanada defeated Yasufumi Nakanoue in a tournament final to become the inaugural Gaora TV Champion. 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. During the excursion, Sanada lost the Gaora TV Championship to René Duprée on May 27.

### 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. Following his resignation, Sanada traveled to Mexico on his own expense to continue his training. 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 inaugural event on September 8, losing to Kai in a singles match. Sanada and Kai had a rematch in the main event of Wrestle-1's second show on September 15; this time Sanada was victorious. On September 24, Wrestle-1 announced that Sanada had signed a contract with the promotion. 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. On November 16, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged visiting American wrestler A.J. Styles for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

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. On March 2 at Kaisen: Outbreak, Sanada defeated Austin Aries to become the new TNA X Division Champion. The following day, Wrestle-1 announced Sanada would be leaving Japan to work for TNA indefinitely. 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, while also losing to The Great Muta in the main event of Wrestle-1's second Ryōgoku Kokugikan event, Shōgeki: Impact, on July 6. 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.

Sanada returned to working for Wrestle-1 full-time in October 2014, when TNA went inactive for the rest of the year. 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. On December 22, Sanada unsuccessfully challenged Keiji Mutoh for the Wrestle-1 Championship. 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.

### Independent circuit (2014–2016)

On May 6, Global Force Wrestling (GFW) announced Sanada as part of their roster. 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). 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. He participated in BJW's Ikkitosen Strong Climb 2016 tournament. In August, Sanada teamed with Minoru Fujita and Mazada to defeat the team of HARASHIMA, Kotaro Suzuki and Masato Tanaka at a Tokyo Gurentai event.

### New Japan Pro Wrestling (2016–present)

#### Debut (2016)

On April 10, 2016, SANADA, now with a mohawk and an edgier appearance, 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. The following day, NJPW announced SANADA's new ring name; his family name stylized in all capital letters. Though he started working for NJPW full-time, Sanada remained a freelancer. 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, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii with him submitting Gedo for the win. SANADA's first big match in NJPW took place on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2016, where he was defeated by Okada. On July 18, SANADA entered the 2016 G1 Climax, opening his tournament by scoring a major win over Hiroshi Tanahashi. He finished the tournament on August 12 with a record of four wins and five losses.

#### Teaming with EVIL (2016–2019)

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 finals due to losing the head-to-head match against Makabe and Honma. On January 4, 2017, at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome, SANADA, BUSHI and EVIL won a four-team gauntlet match to become the new NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions. They lost the title to Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Ryusuke Taguchi the next day, before regaining it on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka. They lost the title to Tanahashi, Taguchi and Ricochet in their second defense on April 4, before regaining it on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2017. During the summer, SANADA took part in the 2017 G1 Climax, where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses. 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 finals of the tournament. On December 11, they defeated Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) in the finals to win the tournament. 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.

On January 4, 2018, at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo Dome, SANADA and EVIL defeated the Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the first time. They lost the titles to The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) on June 9 at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall. From July 14 until August 11, SANADA took part in the 2018 G1 Climax, finishing the tournament with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. From November 17 until December 7, SANADA and EVIL took partinf the 2018 World Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record of ten wins and three losses, advancing to the finals. On December 9, SANADA and EVIL defeated reigning IWGP Tag Team Champions Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) to win the 2018 World Tag League, becoming the second ever team to win the tournament in two consecutive years.

On January 4, 2019, at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo Dome, SANADA and EVIL defeated the Guerrillas of Destiny and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) in a three-way match to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the second time. They lost the titles to Guerrillas of Destiny on February 23, 2019, at Honor Rising: Japan.

#### IWGP Heavyweight Championship pursuits (2019–2020)

The following month, SANADA made it to the finals of the 2019 New Japan Cup, before losing to Kazuchika Okada. Afterwards, Okada promised SANADA an opportunity for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship after he won the title. On May 4 at Wrestling Dontaku, SANADA unsuccessfully challenged Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. From July 6 until August 10, SANADA took part in the 2019 G1 Climax, where he finished the tournament with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. During the 2019 G1 Climax on August 3, SANADA picked up a major win over reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in a rematch from the 2019 Wrestling Dontaku. On August 31 at Royal Quest, after Okada successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Minoru Suzuki, SANADA challenged Okada to a match for his title, which he accepted. On October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, SANADA unsuccessfully challenged Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. From November 16 until December 8, SANADA and EVIL took part in the 2019 World Tag League. SANADA and EVIL entered the final day with a chance to win the tournament, but a loss against Juice Robinson and David Finlay cost them the chance to win the tournament. Afterwards, SANADA began feuding with Zack Sabre Jr., after Sabre attacked SANADA due to losing to him. due to being furious about losing to him twice. At a press conference the following day, Sabre walked out of the press conference after feeling to be disrespected by SANADA. On December 19, SANADA and Sabre faced each other in a tag team match, where SANADA teamed with EVIL and Sabre with his Suzuki-gun stablemate Taichi. The match ended with Sabre pinning SANADA for the victory. The following day, SANADA returned Sabre the favor, after pinning him during their tag team match, leading Sabre to be furious for losing to SANADA for the third time.

On January 5, 2020, on the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome, SANADA unsuccessfully challenged Zack Sabre Jr. for the British Heavyweight Championship. From June 16 until July 3, SANADA took part in the 2020 New Japan Cup, being eliminated from the tournament by his *Los Ingobernables de Japon* stablemate EVIL in the semifinals on July 3. In August, SANADA took part in a tournament to crown the provisional KOPW 2020 Champion. In the first round, SANADA and Sho proposed a submission match as part of their match stipulation for the KOPW 2020. In the match on August 26, SANADA defeated Sho to advance to the finals of the tournament. Three days later, at Summer Struggle in Jingu, SANADA failed to become the inaugural and provisional KOPW 2020 Champion, after Toru Yano won the four-way match to crown the provisional champion. From September 19 until October 17, SANADA took part in the 2020 G1 Climax, finishing the tournament with a record of six wins and three losses, advancing to the finals of the tournament. On October 18, SANADA was defeated by Kota Ibushi in the finals of the 2020 G1 Climax. From November 15 until December 6, SANADA and Shingo Takagi took part in the 2020 World Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record of five wins and four losses, failing advance to the finals of the tournament.

#### Championship reigns (2021–2023)

In March 2021, SANADA took part in the 2021 New Japan Cup, losing in the quarterfinals to Will Ospreay on March 18. On July 11, SANADA and Tetsuya Naito defeated Dangerous Tekkers (Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr.) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for his third time in the process only to lost the titles to Dangerous Tekkers on July 24. From September 19 to October 20, SANADA took part in the 2021 G1 Climax, where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. From November 14 until December 12, SANADA and Naito took part in the 2021 World Tag League. After eight wins and three losses, SANADA and Naito were defeated in the final day of the tournament by EVIL and Yujiro Takahashi and thus were eliminated from the finals. On February 19, 2022, SANADA defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. He vacated the title on April 9 at Hyper Battle, after being sidelined due to a broken orbital bone. On June 3, SANADA made his return from injury announcing his intentions to challenge for IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at Dominion. After Juice Robinson was forced to vacate the title, on June 12 at Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall, SANADA took part in match for the vacant IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, losing to Will Ospreay. From July 16 to August 16, SANADA took part in the 2022 G1 Climax, finishing the tournament with a record of three wins and three losses, failing to advance to the semifinals. From November 22 until December 14, SANADA and Naito took part in the 2022 World Tag League finishing the tournament with a record of seven wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament.

#### Just 5 Guys (2023–Present)

In the weeks leading up to March 17, 2023, SANADA had suggested that he wanted to "destroy what he once built". On March 5, SANADA defeated Taichi in the first round of the 2023 New Japan Cup. Following the match, Taichi recommended to SANADA to leave *Los Ingobernables de Japón*; this was partly due to the respect that Taichi and SANADA had shared with their days in All Japan Pro Wrestling and in the past few months, SANADA had gotten the best of his heavyweight stablemates in most matches. In the quarterfinals, SANADA defeated L.I.J. 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 LIJ. 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 L.I.J. members to leave, confirming his departure from the stable. SANADA eventually won the tournament, defeating David Finlay in the finals on March 21, and become the number one for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. On April 8, at Sakura Genesis, SANADA defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, winning his first World Championship in his career.

Following the match, SANADA's former stablemate Hiromu Takahashi challenged SANADA to a title match. However, before Takahashi concluded his challenge Kanemaru challenged him to a title match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. After Takahashi successfully defended his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Kanemaru, on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku, SANADA defeated Takahashi to make his first sucessfull title defense. Afterwards, Yota Tsuji, returned to NJPW from his excursion, attacking all members of Just 5 Guys, including SANADA. This led to a title match at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall, where SANADA defeated Tsuji to make his second sucessfull title defense. SANADA made his third title defense on June 25 at Forbidden Door, defeating "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry. From July 15 until August 5, SANADA took part in the 2023 G1 Climax, where he won his block with a clean record of seven wins, advancing to the quarterfinals of the tournament. In the quarterfinals, on August 10, SANADA was eliminated from the tournament by EVIL. On October 9 at Destruction in Ryogoku, SANADA avenged a loss suffered during the 2023 G1 Climax by making his fourth successful title defense against EVIL. Following the victory, G1 Climax winner and former stablemate Tetsuya Naito confronted SANADA about their upcoming title match at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in Tokyo Dome. On January 4, 2024 at Wrestle Kingdom 18, SANADA was defeated in the main event by Naito, ending his record reign at 271 days. After helping Naito fending off House of Torture's attack, he reqeusted a rematch for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ *Deadfall* (Swinging reverse STO transitioned into a DDT) - 2023-present
	+ Moonsault / *Rounding Body Press* – adopted from Keiji Mutoh
	+ *This Is It* (AJPW/W-1) / *Skull End* (NJPW) (Dragon sleeper with bodyscissors, sometimes proceeded by a swing from the reverse headlock position) – 2012–present
* **Signature moves**
	+ Backslide
	+ *Cobra Twist* (Abdominal stretch)
	+ DDT
	+ *Destino* (Somersault reverse DDT), 2017–present; adopted from Tetsuya Naito
	+ Dragon screw leg whip
	+ Elbow smash
	+ *European Clutch* / *Inverted Japanese Leg Roll Clutch* (Double wrist-clutch flip into a bridging cradle pin); parodied from Zack Sabre Jr.
	+ Figure-four leg lock
	+ *Frankensteiner* (Spike jumping tijeras)
	+ *Gyaku-Suihei Chop* (Knife-edged chop)
	+ Handspring back elbow; used rarely
	+ *Huracánrana* (Jumping *tijeras* (backwards takedown from the opponent's shoulders) rolled into a single or double leg cradle pin)
	+ *Japanese Leg Roll Clutch* (Reverse rolling prawn hold)
	+ Lariat
	+ *Magic Whip* (Rope-hung dragon screw neck whip)
	+ *Martinete* (Piledriver)
	+ Multiple kick variations
		- Basement drop
		- Drop
		- Low drop to an opponent's knee
		- Missile drop, sometimes in a springboard variant
		- Rolling sole butt
		- Step-up enzuigiri
		- Thrust
	+ Multiple suplex variations
		- *Backdrop* (High-angle belly-to-back)
		- Bridging dragon
		- German
		- Saito
		- Snap
		- Super
		- *Tiger* (Bridging double chickenwing German)
	+ O'Connor roll
	+ *Paradise Lock* (Over-rotated Delfin Clutch, usually followed by theatrics and a dropkick to the trapped opponent) – 2017–present; adopted from Milano Collection A.T.
	+ Rolling cradle
	+ *Rolling Elbow* (Discus elbow smash)
	+ Running elbow strike to a cornered opponent
	+ *Shining Wizard* (Leaping knee strike to a kneeling opponent whilst using the opponent's knee for leverage); adopted from Keiji Mutoh
	+ Slingshot pescado, sometimes in a corkscrew variant
	+ Standing moonsault
	+ *Tiger Driver* (Sitout double underhook powerbomb)
	+ *TKO* (Fireman's carry cutter or pop up cutter)
	+ *Yokosuka Cutter* (Overhead gutwrench *or* powerbomb lifted into a Canadian backbreaker rack flipped sideways into a cutter)
	+ *Zujōni Chop* (Overhead chop)
* **Nicknames**
	+ "Saint Seiya"
	+ "Shining Star"
	+ "Seishun Hurricane" (Japanese for "Youth Hurricane")
	+ "Cold Skull"
* **Entrance themes**
	+ "Seishun no Arashi (Hurricane)" by Hiroyuki Sanada
	+ "Probability" by All Japan Pro Wrestling
	+ "Cold Skeleton" by Yonosuke Kitamura
	+ **"new scenery"** by Yonosuke Kitamura

## Championships and accomplishments

* **All Japan Pro Wrestling**
	+ All Asia Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Manabu Soya
	+ Gaora TV Championship (1 time)
	+ World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Joe Doering
	+ Gaora TV Championship Tournament (2012)
	+ Samurai! TV Cup Triple Arrow Tournament (2007) – with Kensuke Sasaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima
	+ World's Strongest Tag Determination League (2011) – with KAI

* **New Japan Pro Wrestling**
	+ IWGP World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
	+ IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
	+ IWGP Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with EVIL (2) and Tetsuya Naito (1)
	+ NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with BUSHI and EVIL
	+ New Japan Cup (2023)
	+ World Tag League (2017, 2018) – with EVIL

* **Pro Wrestling Illustrated**
	+ PWI ranked him #**66** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2014
	+ PWI ranked him #**144** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2016
	+ PWI ranked him #**153** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2017
* ***Tokyo Sports***
	+ Best Bout Award (2019) vs. Kazuchika Okada on October 14

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 ja:真田　聖也 (in Japanese). *All Japan Pro Wrestling*. Archived from the original on 2013-04-02. Retrieved on 2013-04-23.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 *ja:真田 聖也* (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1*. Retrieved on 2013-09-24.
3. ↑ *ja:6.19大阪城ホールでタッグ激突！「Sanadaに何度負けても、ボクには諦める気持ちがまったくないんです」Yoshi-Hashiに直撃インタビュー！【DM16】* (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling* (2016-06-14). Retrieved on 2016-06-14.
4. ↑ Best of the Super Jr.XXIII  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2016-05-22.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 ja:青春ハリケーン　真田　聖也 (in Japanese). *All Japan Pro Wrestling*. Archived from the original on 2008-10-24. Retrieved on 2014-07-28.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Seiya Sanada .
7. ↑ Champion Carnival 2009 . *Purolove*.
8. ↑ Champion Carnival 2010 . *Purolove*.
9. ↑ All Japan Pro-Wrestling - "Summer Impact 2010" . *Purolove*.
10. ↑ Real World Tag League 2010 . *Purolove*.
11. ↑ 40th Anniversary year Rise Up Tour 2012  (in Japanese). *All Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2012-05-20.
12. ↑ 40th Anniversary year Cross Over 2012  (in Japanese). *All Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2012-06-17.
13. ↑ *ja:真田がカナダ武者修行へ* (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2013-05-02). Retrieved on 2013-05-02.
14. ↑ *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* (in Japanese). *All Japan Pro Wrestling* (2013-05-01). Retrieved on 2013-05-02.
15. ↑ Caldwell, James 2013-05-31. 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 . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2013-05-31.
16. ↑ *ja:全日本プロレス・真田がツイッターで退団を示唆* (in Japanese). *Sports Navi*. Yahoo! (2013-07-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-02.
17. ↑ *ja:Ｗ―１入団の真田　トホホな肉体改造法* (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2013-10-03). Retrieved on 2013-10-03.
18. ↑ 武藤新団体「Wrestle-1」旗揚げ戦  (in Japanese). *Sports Navi*. Yahoo! (2013-09-08). Retrieved on 2013-09-08.
19. ↑ W-1旗揚げツアー  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1*. Retrieved on 2013-09-15.
20. ↑ 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  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2013-09-24). Retrieved on 2013-09-24.
21. ↑ 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！  (in Japanese). *Battle News* (2013-09-24). Retrieved on 2013-09-24.
22. ↑ Wrestle-1 ～ First Trip  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2013-10-06). Retrieved on 2013-10-06.
23. ↑ 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  (in Japanese). *Sports Navi*. Yahoo! (2013-10-06). Retrieved on 2013-10-06.
24. ↑ Wrestle-1 Tour 2013  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2013-11-16). Retrieved on 2013-11-16.
25. ↑ 【Wrestle-1】TNA三大タイトル挑戦者決定戦  (in Japanese). *Battle News* (2014-02-15). Retrieved on 2014-02-15.
26. ↑ Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 「開戦～Outbreak～」  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-03-02). Retrieved on 2014-03-02.
27. ↑ *ja:ＴＮＡ王者・真田が無期限米遠征へ* (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2014-03-04). Retrieved on 2014-03-04.
28. ↑ Wrestle-1 2014 Tour After Outbreak  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-03-22). Retrieved on 2014-03-22.
29. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-04-17. TNA news: X Division Title match result in Japan . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-04-19.
30. ↑ Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 「衝撃～Impact～」  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-07-06). Retrieved on 2014-07-06.
31. ↑ Caldwell, James 2014-07-06. TNA news: Result from Tag Title match in Japan, plus Muta vs. Sanada, TNA heel duo in tag action . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2014-07-06.
32. ↑ *ja:Ｗ１真田がＴＮＡと契約「ムタ超えたい」* (in Japanese). *Nikkan Sports* (2014-07-07). Retrieved on 2014-07-07.
33. ↑ Lions, Phil 2014-07-07. New TNA signing . *Pro Wrestling Insider*. Retrieved on 2014-07-07.
34. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (November 3, 2014). "Nov 3 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE direction leading to WrestleMania, Hell in a Cell review and analysis, tons more". *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Campbell, California: 29. ISSN 1083-9593.
35. ↑ 「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  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-11-28). Retrieved on 2014-11-28.
36. ↑ Gaora presents Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 Final  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-12-22). Retrieved on 2014-12-22.
37. ↑ 真田聖也、Wrestle-1退団  (in Japanese). *Daily Sports Online*. Kobe Shimbun (2015-05-13). Retrieved on 2015-05-13.
38. ↑ *ja:真田聖也選手に関してのご報告* (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2015-05-13). Retrieved on 2015-05-13.
39. ↑ Notes from GFW press conference (updated with more names) . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter* (2015-05-06). Retrieved on 2015-05-06.
40. ↑ Litzinger, Mike 2015-07-12. Johnny Gargano vs. Eric Young: second Global Force Wrestling 7/11 results from Eastlake, Ohio . *Pro Wrestling Insider*. Retrieved on 2015-07-12.
41. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (July 13, 2015). "July 13, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Dusty Rhodes bio part 2, back to back major shows in Japan, & more". *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Campbell, California: 67. ISSN 1083-9593. 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. . . .
42. ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2016-04-09. NJPW Invasion Attack live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Championship . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
43. ↑ 【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！  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling* (2016-04-11). Retrieved on 2016-04-11.
44. ↑ Sanada豪語「オカダを踏み台にする」  (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2016-04-15). Retrieved on 2016-04-15.
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Road to レスリングどんたく 2016  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2016-04-17.
46. ↑ *ja:レスリングどんたく 2016* (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2016-05-03.
47. ↑ *ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents World Tag League 2016* (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2016-12-08.
48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter* (2017-01-03). Retrieved on 2017-01-04.
49. ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-02-10. NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2017-02-11.
50. ↑ *ja:戦国炎舞-Kizna- Presents Road to Sakura Genesis 2017* (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro-Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2017-04-04.
51. ↑ Rose, Bryan 2017-05-02. NJPW Wrestling Dontaku live results: Okada faces Bad Luck Fale . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2017-05-03.
52. ↑ 2017 New Japan G1 Climax Standings, Results, Viewing Guide . *Pro Wrestling Torch* (2017-08-12). Archived from the original on 2017-08-13. Retrieved on 2017-08-12.
53. ↑ 鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro-Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2017-12-08.
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro-Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2017-12-11.
55. ↑ JRA presents Road to Tokyo Dome  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro-Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2017-12-17.
56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Renner, Ethan 2018-01-03. NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 live results: Okada-Naito, Omega-Jericho . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2018-01-04.
57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 Sanada  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2016-04-11.
58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 58.3 58.4 58.5 58.6 58.7 58.8 Sanada, Seiya . *Puroresu Spirit*. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25.
59. ↑ 全日初参戦の藤波が真田に飛龍殺法伝授  (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2013-01-25). Retrieved on 2016-04-17.
60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Cagematch`
61. ↑ *ja:『G1 Climax 26』メンバー＆ブロック分けが決定！ノアから丸藤、中嶋が参戦！ケニー、タマ、Sanada、Evil、Yoshi-Hashiが初出場!!【G126】* (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling* (2016-06-27). Retrieved on 2016-06-27.
62. ↑ Prowrestle theme music list . *RMLabel*. Retrieved on 2016-07-12.
63. ↑ Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2014 . *The Internet Wrestling Database*. Retrieved on 2014-12-02.