Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
Taishin Nagao
Taishin Nagao was a young, rising star for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Nagao was trained at the All Japan Dojo with a background in Judo and ice hockey. He made his professional debut in October of 2024. He went on to have a series of singles matches against Yuma Aoyagi, Suwama, Ren Ayabe and Kento Miyahara. While relatively small in stature, Nagao had great technical skills and in ring charisma. His final match took place on May 18th 2025, when he defeated Shota Kofuji . Just thirteen days later, Nagao was struck by a tour bus on May 31st. Nagao had suffered abdominal compression resulting in traumatic shock and was place in ICU in critical condition.
Sadly, Taishin Nagao’s conditioned never improved and he passed away on September 7th. All Japan sent out a press release announcing his death…
We regret to inform you that our rostered wrestler, Taishin Nagao, who was involved in an incident with a tour bus on May 31 and had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit for traumatic shock caused by abdominal compression, passed away today, September 7, at the hospital where he had been admitted. He was 21.
Regarding the cause of death, his remains are with the police for investigation. We will share an update as soon as details are confirmed.
We sincerely apologize for the sudden nature of this news and for any concern or inconvenience it may cause to all involved.
We also wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the support and encouragement you have shown to Taishin Nagao to date, and we share this notice with the utmost respect.
We offer our deepest condolences and pray for his peaceful rest.
Further information will be announced after consultation with his parents.
September 7, 2025
All Japan Pro Wrestling Co., Ltd.
The incident is still under investigation by police. Taishin Nagao was just 21 years old at the time of his death. He died a mere 6 days before his 22nd birthday.
To read more Grappling with Tragedy stories, click here.
James
This was tragic. He was just getting started. It’s a shame that his career, and now his life, was cut short by this unfortunate accident. Now I’ll wonder what if the accident never happened? I believe he would have been one of newer stars that would help elevate AJPW. He showed a lot of heart.
David Fullam
Thank you for clarifying this. Too many reports made it sound like he was hit by the bus close to the day he died, not many months before. A true shame. May he rest in peace.