Major NJPW Star Working As Free Agent

One of NJPW’s top stars is reportedly working without a contract.

As well as being the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Tetsuya Naito is one of New Japan’s biggest stars and currently one-half of the reigning IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions alongside Hiromu Takahashi.

At 43 years-old, El Ingobernable has done it all in the company, but now he has told Tokyo Sports he is hoping to slow things down. However, he has hit a conflict with New Japan over how many dates they want him to work. This has led to him holding up renewing his contract, which expired on January 31st.

“I understand that I am being treated as a valuable product, but wrestlers who have time off can do maintenance or even obtain qualifications for after retirement. But wrestlers who are constantly wrestling don’t have that kind of time, and their bodies gradually become worn down. I told them that the difference between the two is too drastic, but they basically didn’t accept it, and I have the same doubts this year, so I’m holding off… I can’t make the decision to fight for another year if I don’t have a clear mind about it.”

When it comes to a possible retirement, although he knows the end of his career is coming close, Naito isn’t sure what he will do after wrestling.

“I haven’t decided what I will do if I quit, but when I was younger, I thought I would retire at around 40. I strongly feel that my remaining time is limited, and rather than continuing to be dissatisfied, I feel like it might be better to just do things the way I want to.”

For now, he is still contemplating whether or not to sign on for another year with the company he has been with since 2004.

“I feel comfortable because I can say what I want to say. I haven’t decided whether I will sign or not, but if I think, okay, I’ll stay in the ring with New Japan for another year, I’ll sign, and if I have doubts, I won’t. So, I want to cherish how I feel at the time.”

While many fans believe the Tokyo Sports article is an April Fools’ joke due to Naito’s history of trolling, there has been no follow-up at the time of writing.

Former NJPW Star Chose AEW Over WWE

Former NJPW star Kevin Knight turned down WWE to sign with AEW after his decision to leave New Japan. Tony Khan announced that The Jet was All Elite following an impressive showing on the March 29th edition of Collision. It has since been reported that Knight was offered an “invited try-out” at the WWE Performance Centre before ultimately deciding against signing with the company.

H/T to POST Wrestling for the above translation.