Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Officially Leaves NJPW (NJPW News)
NJPW announces that EVIL is leaving the company.
After plentiful rumblings that he could well be on his way out of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, it's been confirmed that EVIL's time with the King of Sports will be coming to an end later this week.
As announced by NJPW, EVIL will leave the company when his contract expires in a matter of days.
"Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
AdvertisementAfter careful consideration and discussions with NJPW management, EVIL, who has been a long standing member of the NJPW roster will leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling at the expiry of his contract at the end of January 2026.We apologise to fans for the sudden nature of this announcement. New Japan Pro-Wrestling wishes EVIL the very best in his future activities."
Rumours of EVIL's New Japan exit started at the turn of the year, with the House of Torture man said to be weighing up his options outside of the company. At that time, it was noted that Tony Khan is not a fan of the 39-year-old, whose birthday is actually today, which would seemingly rule out any move to AEW.
Added to that, last week saw an additional report that EVIL was amongst a group of NJPW talents who were potentially wrapping up their time with the promotion, with EVIL named alongside Gabe Kidd, David Finlay, and Hiromu Takahashi as stars who could be on their way out of New Japan. Likewise, EVIL, Kidd, and Finlay are all believed to have notable interest from WWE, with EVIL in particular believed to be WWE-bound.
The real-life Takaaki Watanabe debuted for New Japan Pro-Wrestling back in 2011, serving as a Young Lion under his real name. After being sent on a US excursion in late 2013 - including working extensively for Ring of Honor - Watanabe would return to NJPW in 2015 and align with Tetsuya Naito and Los Ingobernables de Japón, in turn being given the EVIL, King of Darkness, name by Naito.
In the years since then, EVIL has led the House of Torture, has been a part of Bullet Club, and is a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a one-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, a two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, a six-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, and a winner of the New Japan Cup.