Ex-World Champion’s Shock NJPW Departure Announced

NJPW is set to say goodbye to another major star as its roster continues to bleed talent.

WWE never stops in its hunt for the top talent in the wrestling world. The sports entertainment giant has previously been bruised by missing out on top NJPW stars such as Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada, who joined AEW instead.

But it seems now that another former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is on their way out of NJPW. While it’s never nice for fans to lose a major star from the company they support, in this case, NJPW fans might breathe a sigh of relief as this exit could spell the end of the hated House of Torture.

It had been suggested that WWE was interested in bringing EVIL in, and now it’s been confirmed that his future lies outside New Japan Pro Wrestling.

EVIL Leaving NJPW

NJPW released a statement on the company’s website, confirming that EVIL is leaving the promotion at the end of January:

After 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.

EVIL’s former tag team partner SANADA also said goodbye to NJPW recently, raising questions about his own future plans. The two stars were previously part of Los Ingobernables de Japon, led by Tetsuya Naito. Naito and fellow LIJ member BUSHI left NJPW in 2025. Whether a whole group reunion is part of bigger plans remains to be seen.