Tony Khan ISN'T A Fan Of THIS NJPW Star... (AEW News)
Don't expect to see EVIL in AEW anytime soon.
While the biggest talking point about yesterday's Wrestle Kingdom 20 was the retirement of the legendary Hiroshi Tanahashi, one other particularly notable story was Aaron Wolf winning the NEVER Openweight Title in his debut match by defeating EVIL.
On the EVIL front, Fightful Select reports that rumblings within NJPW suggest the House of Torture man could be weighing up his options outside of the company. However, this report also notes that AEW would not be an option for EVIL, with Tony Khan having never been a fan of his work.
Of course, AEW has snapped up various New Japan talent over recent years, including Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Jay White, Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata, and Juice Robinson, while Konsuke Takeshita is in the unique position of having contracts with both promotions, in addition to a deal with DDT. By all accounts, though, EVIL is one NJPW name that the AEW President doesn't hold any interest in whatsoever.
Interestingly, EVIL has previously worked for Ring of Honor, but that was between 2014 and 2019, way before Tony Khan purchased the promotion. So, if the 38-year-old should indeed be looking to explore his options away from New Japan, particularly in the United States, it sounds as if AEW and ROH are completely off the table, leaving the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion with WWE and TNA as the biggest-name landing spots - should either company have any interest in EVIL, that is.
Away from the US, EVIL has worked a couple of Pro Wrestling NOAH matches over the years, plus has 16 CMLL contests to his name.