WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on the CW and Netflix internationally.
WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW
WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix (Internationally).
WWE’s recent push to recruit international talent may not be slowing down anytime soon, as another former New Japan Pro-Wrestling standout is reportedly expected to join the company.
According to a report from BodySlam, former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi is believed to be WWE-bound. Sources connected to the WWE Performance Center reportedly indicated that Takahashi could arrive in the company in the near future.
The report also noted that WWE may have a new ring name lined up for the longtime NJPW star: Nox Raijin.
Interestingly, that same name had previously been rumored for another recent WWE signing from Japan — former NJPW faction leader EVIL. However, WWE has since confirmed that EVIL will instead compete under the name Naraku, with the former Bullet Club member scheduled to appear on next week’s episode of NXT.
According to the report, WWE had originally planned to use the Nox Raijin name for EVIL before changing direction earlier this week and settling on Naraku instead.
Takahashi officially parted ways with NJPW earlier this year, ending a run that lasted more than 15 years with the promotion. During his time in New Japan, he became one of the company’s most recognizable junior heavyweight stars, capturing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship five times and building a reputation for his energetic personality and high-risk in-ring style.
Following news of his departure, both WWE and AEW were mentioned as possible landing spots for Takahashi. AEW fans are already familiar with him thanks to several appearances over the years, including a match against Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Championship at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
Outside of NJPW and AEW, Takahashi has also competed in promotions such as CMLL and Pro Wrestling NOAH in recent years, further expanding his international profile.
If the report proves accurate, Takahashi would become another major Japanese addition to WWE’s growing global talent roster and could bring even more depth to the company’s evolving NXT landscape.
WWE is officially moving forward with its latest international signing, as the man formerly known as EVIL is set to compete on “WWE NXT” under a completely new identity.
After making a surprise appearance on last week’s episode to confront NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has now been given a new name—Naraku. The rebrand was confirmed during this week’s show through a vignette hyping his in-ring debut for next Tuesday.
The promo didn’t waste time establishing direction either. Naraku directly addressed D’Angelo, making it clear that he’s coming after the NXT Championship. The segment closed with a simple but effective message: his debut is imminent.
Before arriving in WWE, Naraku built a dominant résumé in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he held multiple titles, including the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. His run in Japan came to an end earlier this year after dropping the NEVER Openweight Championship to Aaron Wolf at Wrestle Kingdom. He competed one final time the following night at New Year’s Dash!! before NJPW confirmed he would not be renewing his contract.
That departure sparked immediate speculation about his next move, with WWE quickly emerging as the likely destination. Still, his debut appearance last week came with a twist—he wasn’t identified by name, leaving fans guessing about how the company would present him.
Now, we have that answer.
The name “Naraku” carries a layered meaning. In Japanese, it translates to “abyss,” fitting his dark persona. It’s also a name familiar to anime fans from the “Inuyasha” series, though it remains to be seen if WWE leans into that connection. There’s also some curiosity about whether the name could be a subtle nod to wrestling veteran Joseph Park’s “Abyss” character, though that hasn’t been confirmed.
Interestingly, earlier reports suggested WWE might go with the name Nox Raijin, but those plans appear to have changed or the reports was false.
With a new identity and a title target already in sight, all eyes will be on next week’s NXT to see how Naraku’s first official outing unfolds—and whether he can immediately shake up the championship picture.
WWE NXT tonight on The CW and Netflix (internationally).
Former NJPW star EVIL officially arrived in WWE NXT last week, and a new backstage report may have revealed the identity he’ll be using going forward.
During last Tuesday’s episode of “WWE NXT,” Tony D’Angelo finally came face-to-face with the person behind the mysterious box that had been teasing his arrival. A hooded figure emerged through the smoke and lighting effects before stepping into the ring and confronting the reigning NXT Champion. The man handed D’Angelo a shirt featuring the same Japanese symbol that had appeared on the package before dramatically removing his hood.
The reveal confirmed that the longtime NJPW standout known as EVIL had made his WWE debut.
Commentary quickly acknowledged the significance of the moment, with Vic Joseph referencing EVIL’s past as a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. However, WWE stopped short of identifying him by a new ring name during the segment, leading to speculation about what he would be called in NXT.
That speculation intensified after a trademark filing surfaced on April 28 for the name “Nox Raijin.” According to a new report from Fightful Select, WWE internally lists the former NJPW star under his real name, Takaaki Watanabe, but the company is expected to use Nox Raijin as his official on-screen name moving forward.
The reported name appears to fit the dark presentation EVIL became known for during his run in Japan. In Japanese mythology, Raijin is recognized as the god of thunder, lightning, and storms, while “Nox” is commonly associated with darkness or night. The combination lines up closely with the ominous character work EVIL used throughout his NJPW career.
Before departing NJPW earlier this year, EVIL spent roughly 14 years with the promotion and built an accomplished résumé. Along with capturing the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, he also held the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, NEVER Openweight Championship, and multiple IWGP Six-Man Tag Team Championships.
He was also the founder and leader of House of Torture, the controversial faction created after his shocking betrayal of Los Ingobernables de Japon several years ago.
With his WWE arrival now official, it appears only a matter of time before Nox Raijin begins making a major impact on the NXT roster.
WWE NXT gained another notable addition this week as former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL officially made his debut appearance on Tuesday night’s episode of the brand.
With several NXT stars recently moving to WWE’s main roster, the developmental show is beginning to introduce a fresh wave of talent, and EVIL may be one of the most intriguing names yet.
During the show, NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo addressed the crowd and declared himself the centerpiece of the brand. D’Angelo confidently stated that nobody in NXT was capable of knocking him off the top spot.
That confidence was quickly interrupted.
A cloud of fog and dramatic lighting filled the arena before EVIL made his entrance wearing a dark black robe. The former NJPW star slowly approached the ring and came face-to-face with D’Angelo in a tense staredown.
Rather than speaking, EVIL handed the champion a shirt featuring Japanese text before turning and leaving the ring. The mysterious presentation left both fans and commentators speculating about his intentions.
Commentator Vic Joseph acknowledged EVIL’s accomplishments in Japan during the segment, referring to him as a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. However, WWE stopped short of officially identifying him by the EVIL ring name, leaving some uncertainty surrounding what name he will ultimately use going forward in NXT.
Reports surfaced earlier this year that EVIL had signed with WWE following the expiration of his New Japan Pro-Wrestling contract. His final NJPW appearance took place on January 20 during the Road To The New Beginning tour, where he competed in an eight-man tag team match.
The segment also teased additional challengers for D’Angelo. Shortly after EVIL’s appearance, former No Quarter Catch Crew member Tavion Heights attacked the NXT Champion from behind. English wrestler Will Kroos then added to the chaos by landing a moonsault onto D’Angelo.
With several new threats emerging at once, Tony D’Angelo’s reign could soon become far more difficult — and EVIL’s arrival may end up being the biggest game changer of them all.
WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW.
After months of uncertainty surrounding the future of WWE NXT Premium Live Events, WWE has officially locked in a new broadcast partner—and it’s a move that could quietly reshape how fans access big shows moving forward.
Earlier this year, Peacock’s rights to NXT PLEs expired, leaving fans wondering where the brand’s marquee events would land next. That uncertainty became even more noticeable when NXT Stand & Deliver broke tradition by moving off WrestleMania weekend and streaming for free on WWE’s YouTube channel. It was an unusual move that hinted WWE was still figuring out its next step.
Now we have the answer.
WWE announced Tuesday that The CW Network—already home to weekly WWE NXT programming—has secured the rights to NXT Premium Live Events as part of a new multi-year agreement. While financial details weren’t revealed, the deal will see The CW air 20 NXT specials over the next several years.
The first event under the new agreement will be The Great American Bash, set to air later this summer. An exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the show will mark the official start of this new era.
The CW’s Brad Schwartz framed the move as a natural extension of the network’s relationship with NXT, which began in 2024 under a five-year deal. According to Schwartz, NXT has already proven to be a reliable draw on Tuesday nights, bringing in a consistent and engaged audience. Adding the brand’s biggest events to the lineup simply keeps everything under one roof for viewers.
The bigger story here, though, is accessibility. This marks the first time in WWE history that Premium Live Events—whether from NXT or the main roster—will air on traditional free television. For years, WWE’s biggest shows have lived behind paywalls, from the WWE Network to Peacock and now ESPN’s platforms. This deal breaks that mold in a significant way.
For fans, it means easier access to major NXT moments without needing a subscription. For WWE, it’s another strategic shift as the company continues experimenting with how and where it distributes content in a rapidly changing media landscape.
After a brief period of limbo, NXT’s PLE future is no longer in question—and it’s heading somewhere no WWE event has gone before: straight to free TV.
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