Top Star Officially GONE From NJPW (NJPW News)
5-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion set to leave New Japan after 16 years.
New Japan Pro Wrestling chiefs have formally announced via the company's official website that longstanding star and fan favourite (especially in terms of critical appeal) Hiromu Takahashi will leave the promotion following his match at The New Beginning in Osaka on 11 February. There, Takahashi is set to team with Taiji Ishimori vs. Jakob Austin Young and Francesco Akira.
Hiromu has been with NJPW for 16 years. He debuted back in 2010 on the group's 24 August show that year, and has gone on to be both a 5-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a 4-time 'Best Of Super Juniors' tournament winner. Takahashi has also won the IWGP Tag-Team Titles once with Tetsuya Naito, and is a former NEVER Openweight 6-Man Champ with both Bushi and Yota Tsuji.
New Japan's statement revealed that both parties had come to this decision "after careful consideration and discussions". However, they've apologised to fans for "the sudden nature of this announcement". It's certainly sudden - there isn't long to go until New Beginning in Osaka on 11 February.
Announcing Hiromu's departure approx one week out will come as a surprise to many.
Closing the announcement in a classy way, NJPW added: "New Japan Pro-Wrestling wishes Hiromu Takahashi the very best in his future activities and invites fans to show their support on his remaining appearances with NJPW".
It'll be interesting to see what comes next for Takahashi. He has worked 8 matches for AEW between 2023-2025, so there will always be links to Tony Khan's organisation now Hiromu's set to be a free agent.