Real Reason Behind Tetsuya Naito’s Shock NJPW Exit

Tetsuya Naito is on his way out of New Japan Pro Wrestling and now the reason for his departure has seemingly been revealed.

As well as being the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Tetsuya Naito is one of New Japan’s biggest stars and until very recently was one-half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions alongside Hiromu Takahashi. Naito has held the top prize in New Japan Pro Wrestling four times and has headlined Wrestle Kingdom on four different occasions.

But now it seems Naito’s time in NJPW is over.

Tetsuya Naito Wanted More Money

NJPW has released a statement confirming that after talks with Tetsuya Naito, both parties have agreed to go their separate ways after the company’s current tour ends at Wrestling Dontaku on May 4:

Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

In recent weeks, conversations have been ongoing between New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Tetsuya Naito regarding Naito’s future wrestling activities. As a result of those conversations, both parties have mutually agreed not to renew Naito’s contract with NJPW.

Both parties have arrived at this decision after careful consideration and lengthy conversation. Naito’s contract ends on the best possible terms with NJPW, which joins fans in wishing Naito further success in any and all future endeavours.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling deeply apologises to NJPW and Naito fans for any concern this announcement may cause. Naito will make all of his scheduled appearances through the Dontaku series concluding May 4 in Fukuoka, and looks forward to your ongoing support.

The Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez confirmed on social media that money was at the heart of Naito’s decision not to re-sign with NJPW:

The impression I have gotten when it comes to Naito is simply that he wanted a lot more money than they were willing to pay him. Good chance this had been awhile in the making.

NJPW also confirmed another exit from the company as Naito’s stablemate in LIJ, Bushi, will also be leaving.