Hiromu Takahashi Revealed As Shinsuke Nakamura’s Mystery Partner In WWE Digital Exclusive

WWE has seemingly revealed the identity of Shinsuke Nakamura’s mystery partner, and the reveal points to another major international signing joining the SmackDown roster.

After making his first WWE appearance since May during a pre-recorded backstage segment last week, Nakamura promised that he had found an ally to help him take the fight to Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga, collectively known as The MFT’s.

Nakamura Sends Warning To New WWE Tag Team Champions

Friday night’s edition of SmackDown saw Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga capture the WWE Tag Team Championship, defeating Damian Priest, R-Truth, and AAA Tag Team Champions The War Raiders in a triple threat match.

Following the show, WWE released a digital exclusive featuring Nakamura addressing the new champions.

“Congratulations MFT’s. You are now the champions. Are you savoring the feeling, knowing it will be gone soon? Was the victory as sweet, knowing what’s coming next? Me, my partner, your destruction.”

As the promo continued, WWE showed brief glimpses of Nakamura’s mystery partner while teasing his arrival on SmackDown.

“My partner is what you all pretend to be. Experienced, vicious, deadly. He is chaos. He is a ticking time bomb. Take cover.”

Hiromu Takahashi Appears WWE-Bound

The phrase “Ticking Time Bomb” immediately caught the attention of New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans, as it has long been associated with Hiromu Takahashi.

Takahashi, one of NJPW’s most accomplished junior heavyweight stars, departed the promotion earlier this year after a 15-year run.

In February, NJPW officially announced his departure following discussions with company management.

During his career, Takahashi became one of the most recognizable stars in Japanese wrestling and competed for several major promotions, including:

• New Japan Pro-Wrestling
• AEW
• Ring of Honor
• CMLL
• Pro Wrestling NOAH

The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has been heavily linked to WWE since becoming a free agent, and Nakamura’s latest promo strongly suggests that he will soon arrive on SmackDown.

WWE Continues Adding Free Agents

Reports earlier this year indicated that Takahashi was among several notable free agents believed to be WWE-bound.

Since then, a number of those names have already debuted, including:

• Big Cass
• Baron Corbin
• Cruz Montana
• Zilla Fatu

If the tease proves accurate, Takahashi would become the latest high-profile addition to WWE’s growing roster.

When Will Takahashi Debut?

As of now, WWE has not officially announced a debut date for Takahashi.

However, with Nakamura openly teasing his arrival and positioning him as a key ally against the newly crowned WWE Tag Team Champions, it appears only a matter of time before the former NJPW star makes his first appearance on Friday Night SmackDown.

Should Takahashi arrive as expected, WWE fans could soon see one of Japan’s most decorated wrestlers join forces with Nakamura in a battle against The MFT’s and the WWE Tag Team Champions.