Hiromu Takahashi Set To Leave NJPW As Contract Expires, Future Options Emerge – New Japan Pro-Wrestling is preparing for another major roster change, as the company officially confirmed that former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi will be departing the promotion in the coming days.
NJPW announced the news on its official website, stating that following discussions and careful consideration, Takahashi will leave the company once his contract expires. The promotion apologized for the sudden timing of the announcement and expressed gratitude for Takahashi’s contributions, wishing him success in the future.
“The Time Bomb” is still scheduled for several remaining NJPW appearances. He is currently touring with the roster on the Road To The New Beginning tour, which wraps up with The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. At that event, Takahashi will wrestle his final NJPW match, teaming with his Unbound Co. stablemate Taiji Ishimori to face United Empire’s Jakob Austin Young and Francesco Akira. Takahashi will officially become a free agent immediately after the event concludes.
Following the announcement, Takahashi spoke with Tokyo Sports and explained that his decision was not made lightly. While he reiterated his love for NJPW and his ambitions within the company, he revealed that another major dream has taken priority.
“It really hit me how much I was loved. I knew it, I was aware, but it made me realize just how much I was cherished. Honestly, it makes me happy. My dream hasn’t changed. As a junior, I want to hold the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and compete in prime time. Plus, another huge dream has taken root inside me. Wanting to achieve that is huge. It’s a well-thought-out decision, but I thought that if I didn’t act now, if I didn’t move now, and ended up regretting it 10 or 20 years down the line, then acting now would let me finish my life without regrets. That’s why I made this decision.”
Takahashi exits NJPW as one of the most accomplished junior heavyweights in company history. His résumé includes five IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship reigns, one IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship reign, one NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship reign, and a record-setting four Best of the Super Juniors tournament victories.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed Takahashi’s uncertain future, noting several possible destinations.
“Hiromu, we don’t know where he’s going. I’ve heard the Hiromu leaving stuff for I feel like two months at least, maybe longer. The rumor was always NOAH. I’ve heard people talk about maybe WWE. I could see him in AEW if he was available to AEW. I could see him going to WWE because there’s the money, but as far as WWE’s track record with Japanese junior heavyweights…”
Takahashi already has experience working with AEW through the NJPW partnership, having appeared at three Forbidden Door events between 2023 and 2025, including a TNT Championship challenge against Kyle Fletcher in 2025. While he has no prior WWE history, his free agency places him among the most intriguing names on the market. Takahashi could follow in the footsteps of EVIL, who is rumored to be joining the company in the coming weeks
Hiromu Takahashi Set To Leave NJPW As Contract Expires, Future Options Emerge
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