EVIL Reportedly Leaving NJPW for WWE – Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion EVIL is reportedly nearing the end of his time with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, with multiple reports indicating that he has given his notice and is expected to sign with WWE.
The news was first discussed by Bryan Alvarez on Wednesday’s Wrestling Observer Live. Alvarez stated that there is strong belief within the industry that EVIL is on his way out of NJPW and headed to WWE. He said, “By the way, EVIL might be on his way out of New Japan, and it is strongly rumored that he is on his way to WWE.” The Super J-Cast later backed up the report, noting that the House of Torture leader has indeed given notice to New Japan.
EVIL, who is 38 years old, most recently competed at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. At the Tokyo Dome, he lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Aaron Wolf. The match marked Wolf’s professional wrestling debut, with the 2020 Olympic judo gold medalist submitting EVIL via triangle choke to capture the title. The loss ended EVIL’s latest reign and now appears to have been his final major match with the promotion.
If confirmed, EVIL’s exit would close the book on a lengthy and highly successful NJPW career. After joining the company in 2011, he rose through the ranks and eventually established himself as one of New Japan’s top villains. His résumé includes reigns as IWGP Heavyweight Champion and IWGP Intercontinental Champion, along with two IWGP Tag Team Championship runs alongside Sanada. EVIL is also a record four-time NEVER Openweight Champion and a six-time NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion. In tournament competition, he won the 2020 New Japan Cup and captured the World Tag League twice, in 2017 and 2018, again with Sanada.
Additional movement within NJPW may also be on the horizon. On the Voices of Wrestling Flagship Plus show, it was reported that Hiromu Takahashi could also be nearing an exit from the company. The same report noted that Bullet Club War Dogs members Gabe Kidd and David Finlay are currently drawing interest from WWE, suggesting possible further changes to New Japan’s roster landscape.
With EVIL seemingly finished in NJPW, the promotion has already shifted focus in the NEVER Openweight Championship division. New Japan has announced that Aaron Wolf will defend the title against Ren Narita at The New Beginning in Osaka. The match will serve as Wolf’s first major defense since his Wrestle Kingdom victory.
EVIL Reportedly Leaving NJPW for WWE
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