NJPW Reveals Jake Lee Was Sidelined Since 2024 Due To Patella Tendon Tear, Spinal Stenosis & Herniated Lumbar Disc

It was constant pain for Lee.

Shortly into Jake Lee’s run with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, he went down with an injury. Lee suffered the injury in September 2024 and did not return to in-ring action until January 2026 at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

NJPW released a video piece that was centered around Lee, and in the opening, it was mentioned that Lee recovered from a patella tendon tear, spinal stenosis, and a herniated lumbar disc. Lee opened up about the pain he was in.

“I was in pain 24 hours a day. Hurt to stand, hurt to sit, hurt to lay down. I slept maybe a few minutes a day. Five, 10 minutes, just passing out, and then the pain would wake me up. Absolute hell.”

Lee returned as a member of United Empire. He had been a part of War Dogs. He explained why he left the group.

“They became too strong. If I went back to them, what would I do? What becomes of that? A nice cozy little spot. They have a big name for Jake Lee to ride on. That seemed off to me.”

Following up on that, Lee was asked why he joined United Empire.

“This shaken empire. More than that, now that it has lost its sun, what is it that NJPW seeks? Safety? Stability? Or something more chaotic? I don’t know. But it’s clear that it’s in want of something, and that United Empire presents the most possibility. They’re trying to rebuild, and a flourishing United Empire needs a court jester. I can be just that. They lost an essential part of themselves. So what can they create with what’s left? If I do all that — I should — then the United Empire will naturally form itself. So first of all, it’s all about me. It’s about reestablishing the market value of this product called Jake Lee. I had my vacation in hell, so through that, what can I create? What can I make with what I have left? This title match is like a proof of that existence. If I get that belt, then I made the right choices, and maybe after that, it becomes something of influence to United Empire, or NJPW, or all of pro wrestling. Likely that is the case.”

On February 11th at NJPW The New Beginning, Lee is going to challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

If the quotes in this article are used, please credit the original source with an H/T to Fightful for the transcriptions.