Tag: NJPW

Report: Former IWGP Champion EVIL Signs With WWE, Name Change Expected

WWE may be adding another internationally recognized name to its roster.

According to PWInsider, multiple sources have confirmed that former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL has officially signed with the company. The move comes after the 39-year-old star announced back in January that he would not be renewing his contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, signaling the end of a long run with the promotion.

EVIL, whose real name is Takaaki Watanabe, spent over a decade in NJPW after debuting in 2011. During that time, he built a decorated résumé and became a key figure in factions like Los Ingobernables de Japón and later Bullet Club. His resume includes a reign as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, along with runs as IWGP Intercontinental Champion, NEVER Openweight Champion, and multiple tag team title victories. He also found success in six-man competition, capturing the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Titles on several occasions.

For fans in the United States, EVIL isn’t entirely unfamiliar. He’s previously competed in Ring of Honor and made appearances in Jeff Jarrett’s now-defunct Global Force Wrestling, giving him some exposure outside of Japan prior to this reported WWE deal.

One notable change expected with this move is his in-ring identity. According to the report, WWE is not planning to use the “EVIL” name, meaning a rebrand is likely once he debuts on television.

There’s also a personal connection that has caught fans’ attention over the years. EVIL was previously reported to be engaged to current WWE star IYO SKY, though there’s no clear update on their relationship status as of now.

As with many international signings, the big question will be how WWE chooses to introduce him and position him within the roster. With his experience, championship pedigree, and faction background, he could bring a unique edge to whichever brand he lands on — especially if paired with the right presentation out of the gate.

For now, all eyes will be on when and where this reported signing officially comes to light on WWE programming.

NJPW Wrestling Redzone 4/25/2026 (Card)

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has announced the full lineup for this weekend’s NJPW Wrestling Redzone. The upcoming show is being held at the Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in Hiroshima, Japan.

  • IWGP Tag Team Championships Match: Knockout Bros. (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (c) vs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI)
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Championships Match: Unbound Co. (Robbie X & Taiji Ishimori) (c) vs. TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles)
  • Unbound Co. (Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Gedo & Daiki Nagai) vs. The United Empire (Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay)
  • Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma vs. TMDK (Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson)
  • Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe vs. HOUSE OF TORTURE (Ren Narita, Don Fale, DOUKI & Dick Togo)
  • Taichi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Masatora Yasuda vs. The United Empire (HENARE, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira)
  • Shota Umino, Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato vs. The HOUSE OF TORTURE (Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
  • Tatsuya Matsumoto vs Taisei Nakahara

Report: AEW Catches WWE and TNA Off Guard with Forbidden Door Scheduling Move

AEW has stirred up plenty of buzz this week—and not just with fans. A new report suggests that both WWE and TNA Wrestling were left in the dark when Tony Khan’s company made a major announcement regarding Forbidden Door 2026.

It was revealed on Wednesday that this year’s Forbidden Door event will take place on June 28 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The twist? That date just so happens to clash directly with TNA’s Slammiversary, which is set for the same night in Boston, Massachusetts.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, neither WWE nor TNA had any prior warning about AEW’s plans. Both promotions reportedly learned about the scheduling decision at the same time as the public, making the move feel like a surprise shot across the bow.

For TNA, the timing is especially significant. Slammiversary is widely considered one of the promotion’s biggest shows of the year, second only to its flagship events. Naturally, running head-to-head with AEW—particularly on a card as loaded as Forbidden Door—is far from ideal.

Some may have expected WWE to step in and bolster TNA’s lineup in response, especially given their growing working relationship. However, the report indicates WWE was just as blindsided and had no involvement in the decision or any immediate counter-strategy.

Meanwhile, AEW is aiming to make this year’s Forbidden Door the biggest yet. The 2026 edition won’t just feature talent from AEW and NJPW—it’s also set to include stars from CMLL and STARDOM, turning the event into a massive multi-promotional showcase.

Whether intentional or not, AEW has thrown a major wrinkle into the summer wrestling calendar—and all eyes will be on how the competition responds.

NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026 Results (4/4/26)

NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026 took place earlier today from the Ryōgoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

  • Pre-Show: Masatora Yasuda & KUSHIDA def. Taisei Nakahara & Tatsuya Matsumoto
  • T.M.D.K. (Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson) def. Master Wato & Togi Makabe
  • Unbound Company (Robbie X, Taiji Ishimori & Shingo Takagi) def. United Empire (Jakob Austin Young, Francesco Akira & Jake Lee)
  • Toru Yano, YOH, Tiger Mask & Aaron Wolf def. HOUSE OF TORTURE (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO, DOUKI & Don Fale)
  • United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Will Ospreay) def. El Desperado, Taichi & Yuya Uemura
  • NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships: YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Oleg Boltin (c) def. HOUSE OF TORTURE (Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita)
  • NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Shota Umino (15-minute Time Limit Draw)
  • IWGP Tag Team Championships: Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (c) def. T.M.D.K. (Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)
  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman def. Yota Tsuji (c)

Tomohiro Ishii Pulled From 2026 New Japan Cup Due To Neck Injury

Just days before the 2026 New Japan Cup gets underway, New Japan Pro Wrestling has confirmed that Tomohiro Ishii will no longer be part of the tournament field.

NJPW announced on its official website that the “Stone Pitbull” has been sidelined with a neck injury, forcing him to withdraw from the 24-man tournament set to kick off on March 4. The promotion issued an apology to fans who were looking forward to seeing Ishii compete in this year’s Cup, especially given the high stakes involved.

The winner of the New Japan Cup will earn a shot at Yota Tsuji’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis on April 4. For Ishii, this year represented another opportunity to finally capture a tournament that has eluded him throughout his storied career. Despite several deep runs — including semifinal appearances in 2017 and 2019 — Ishii has never managed to win the Cup.

With Ishii out, NJPW has tabbed a veteran replacement: former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Satoshi Kojima. Kojima will step directly into Ishii’s position in the bracket. Since Ishii had previously received one of eight random byes into the second round, Kojima will now face the winner of the first-round bout between Taichi and Ren Narita.

As of now, NJPW has not clarified how or when Ishii sustained the neck injury. His most recent match took place on February 27 at The New Beginning USA, where he dropped the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship to Boltin Oleg. There were no reported issues coming out of that match, but given the physical nature of the contest, it stands as the most likely point where the injury may have occurred.

Interestingly, Ishii also appeared on the February 28 episode of AEW Collision against Andrade El Idolo. However, that match was taped on February 25 — prior to his loss to Oleg — meaning it would not have been affected by the injury in question.

This latest setback comes shortly after what initially appeared to be another scare. During the February 18 episode of AEW Dynamite, Ishii looked to have suffered a potentially serious hamstring injury while teaming with Orange Cassidy against Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd. Fortunately, that issue turned out to be far less severe than initially feared.

Now, though, it’s a neck injury that has put Ishii on the shelf at a critical point in the calendar. With Sakura Genesis looming and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship picture set to shift following the Cup, Ishii’s absence is a significant blow to both the tournament and fans who were hoping 2026 might finally be his year.

We’ll continue to monitor Ishii’s status and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Hiromu Takahashi Set To Leave NJPW As Major Roster Changes Continue

New Japan Pro Wrestling is preparing for another significant shift, as the company has officially confirmed that longtime standout Hiromu Takahashi will be departing the promotion once his current contract expires.

NJPW announced the news on its official website earlier today, explaining that the decision came after discussions between both sides. Officials apologized to fans for the abrupt nature of the announcement and expressed gratitude for Takahashi’s contributions, wishing him success in whatever comes next.

While the news marks the beginning of the end of an era, Takahashi still has a handful of appearances left with the company. He is currently touring with the roster on The Road To The New Beginning, which wraps up on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka. That night will feature Takahashi’s final NJPW match, where he will team with fellow Unbound Co. member Taiji Ishimori against United Empire’s Jakob Austin Young and Francesco Akira. Once the bell rings for the final time, Takahashi will officially become a free agent.

Following the announcement, “The Time Bomb” spoke with Tokyo Sports in an exclusive interview, shedding light on his mindset and why now felt like the right moment to move on. Takahashi described the decision as something he had given serious thought to, noting that the outpouring of love from fans reinforced just how meaningful his NJPW run had been.

While he made it clear that his ambitions within wrestling haven’t changed — including his long-standing dream of eventually holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and competing at the very top of the card — Takahashi revealed that another personal dream has taken priority. He explained that waiting any longer could have led to regret later in life, making the timing of this decision crucial for him.

Takahashi exits NJPW with one of the most decorated résumés in junior heavyweight history. His accomplishments include five reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, a run as IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, a NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship reign, and a record-setting four Best of the Super Juniors tournament victories.

As NJPW continues to evolve, Takahashi’s departure leaves a massive hole in the junior division — and opens the door to endless speculation about where one of the most influential performers of his generation may land next.

Report: NJPW Standout EVIL Expected to Depart Company, Likely WWE-Bound

A major shakeup could be on the horizon for both New Japan Pro Wrestling and WWE, as longtime NJPW star EVIL is reportedly preparing to exit the promotion with expectations that he’s headed stateside.

According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, EVIL has likely already informed NJPW of his decision to move on once his contract situation is finalized. Alvarez added that, internally, WWE is widely believed to be his next destination. That report lines up with earlier information from Super J-Cast, which stated that the House of Torture leader had officially given notice to New Japan.

The timing has only added to the speculation. EVIL recently lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Aaron Wolf at Wrestle Kingdom 20, a title change that immediately raised eyebrows and fueled rumors that his run with the company was nearing its end.

If this truly marks the conclusion of EVIL’s NJPW tenure, it closes the book on a highly decorated run. Since debuting with the promotion, EVIL rose from a popular tag team wrestler into a main event fixture, capturing both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. He’s also been a New Japan Cup winner, a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, and a consistent presence in the tag and six-man divisions as part of Bullet Club and later House of Torture.

While WWE has yet to confirm any signing, the idea of EVIL joining the company is already sparking conversation. His darker persona, physical style, and experience at the top level in Japan could make him an intriguing addition, whether on the main roster or elsewhere within WWE’s system.

For now, it’s a waiting game. But if EVIL’s NJPW chapter is indeed closing, the next phase of his career could put him on the biggest stage he’s ever performed on.

Report – WWE Interested In David Finlay

David Finlay’s future in New Japan Pro-Wrestling may be approaching a crossroads, as new reports suggest the BULLET CLUB War Dogs leader is at least on WWE’s radar.

According to recent chatter, Finlay’s NJPW contract is coming up relatively soon, and he’s been exploring what his next move could look like. It was noted a few weeks back that Finlay has interest in spending more time in the United States in 2026, which naturally has fueled speculation about potential opportunities outside of Japan.

That speculation picked up more steam thanks to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, which reported that Finlay has been discussed internally within WWE. While there have been no direct talks between the two sides and Finlay still has commitments to NJPW, the report indicates that WWE has interest, with NXT being floated as a possible landing spot if things ever progressed.

From NJPW’s side, the company would reportedly like to keep Finlay around. He’s been a fixture in the promotion since 2015 and has steadily built an impressive résumé. Finlay is a two-time IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, a former IWGP Tag Team Champion, and a former NEVER Openweight Champion. He also added a major accolade to his legacy by winning the 2025 New Japan Cup, further cementing his status as a top-level player.

On-screen, Finlay was active over the past weekend, competing at both Wrestle Kingdom 20 and New Year Dash!!. In both cases, he found himself on the losing end of multi-man tag matches, with United Empire getting the better of the BULLET CLUB War Dogs.

For now, there’s no indication that Finlay is leaving NJPW imminently, but the fact that WWE interest has already been noted will only add intrigue to his contract situation. With his combination of experience, size, and leadership presence, Finlay is the type of talent that multiple companies would understandably want to keep an eye on as his next career decision approaches.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 Results 1/4/2026 – Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Retirement Match

New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s biggest night of the year lived up to the hype and then some. Wrestle Kingdom 20 took over the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2026, and by the time the dust settled, NJPW had closed one legendary chapter while kicking the door wide open on its future.

The show will forever be remembered as the night Hiroshi Tanahashi wrestled his final match, but it was also packed with title changes, surprise moments, and major statements from the next generation.

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s legendary career came to an emotional close on Saturday night, but not before New Japan Pro-Wrestling delivered another historic Wrestle Kingdom from the Tokyo Dome. The January 4, 2026 event blended title changes, faction warfare, surprise appearances, and one final bow for “The Ace.”

Below is a full recap of Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Opening Match

Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda def. Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto

The young lions set the tone with a hard-fought opener. After a competitive back-and-forth featuring suplexes and power wrestling, Murashima sealed the victory by forcing Kato to submit to a Boston Crab, giving the Tokyo Dome crowd an early glimpse of NJPW’s future.

NJPW World Television Championship

El Phantasmo (c) def. Chris Brookes

Phantasmo retained his title after a spirited clash with Brookes. Despite Brookes repeatedly cutting off the champion’s momentum and coming close with a Brainbuster, Phantasmo rallied with CR2 and capped things off with a decisive Thunderkiss 86 to remain champion.

NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship Rambo

TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson) win the match

Chaos reigned in the multi-team Rambo, with War Dogs, House of Torture, Bishamon, Team 100, and the defending champions all colliding. In the closing stretch, Zack Sabre Jr. neutralized Oleg Boltin’s power game and scored the final pinfall, crowning TMDK as the new NEVER six-man champions.

IWGP Women’s & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship (Winner Takes All)

Syuri (IWGP Women’s Champion) def. Saya Kamitani (Strong Champion)

Two champions entered, but only one left with both belts. Kamitani pushed the pace and came within inches of victory multiple times, but Syuri’s technical precision proved decisive. A Fujiwara Armbar followed by Syu-Sekai sealed Syuri’s status as double champion.

Eight-Man Tag Match

United Empire (Jake Lee, Andrade El Idolo, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) def. War Dogs & Hiromu Takahashi/Shingo Takagi

This fast-paced faction battle broke down into chaos. Takahashi briefly stole the spotlight before Jake Lee shut things down with the Facebreak Shot for the pinfall. Post-match surprises followed, as Jakob Austin Young aligned with United Empire, along with the returning Francesco Akira.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Contender Match

El Desperado def. Taiji Ishimori, SHO & Kosei Fujita

Alliances were temporary and chaos constant in this four-way. SHO attempted to evade danger but ultimately paid for it, as El Desperado capitalized with Pinche Loco to secure future title contention.

Event Announcements

NJPW officially announced “Death Vegas Invitacional” for April 16, 2026, in Las Vegas. Additional upcoming events include the New Japan Cup, Sakura Genesis, Wrestling Dontaku, Wrestling Red Zone (Hiroshima), and G1 Climax 36, including U.S. dates.

NEVER Openweight Championship

Aaron Wolf def. EVIL (c)

In a physical and interference-heavy bout, Wolf shed his judogi and embraced a gritty approach. Despite House of Torture’s involvement and EVIL’s trademark shortcuts, Wolf survived everything thrown at him. He ultimately rendered EVIL unconscious with a brutal submission to capture the NEVER Openweight Championship.

IWGP World Heavyweight & Global Heavyweight Championship

Yota Tsuji def. Konosuke Takeshita (c)

One of the night’s standout matches saw Tsuji outlast Takeshita in a grueling war. After surviving multiple Power Drives and near-falls, Tsuji locked in a deep Boston Crab, forcing Takeshita to tap out. Tsuji walked away as both IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and still Global Champion. Post-match, Jake Lee blindsided Tsuji, immediately establishing new tension.

Retirement Match

Kazuchika Okada def. Hiroshi Tanahashi

In the main event, Tanahashi’s final match delivered emotion, callbacks, and intensity. The longtime rivals pushed each other to the limit, with Tanahashi summoning flashes of his prime. Ultimately, Okada’s relentless Rainmakers proved too much, and Tanahashi was pinned in the center of the ring.

Post-Match Tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi

After the bell, Okada bowed to Tanahashi and simply said, “Thank you.” The ring filled with flowers and tributes from NJPW legends and former stars, including Jay White, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata, Keiji Muto, and Tatsumi Fujinami. Even former NJPW stars BUSHI and Tetsuya Naito appeared to pay their respect. Tanahashi closed the night with heartfelt words and his trademark air guitar, greeting fans as Wrestle Kingdom 20 faded to black.

Update On Andrade El Idolo’s WWE Non-Compete

Andrade El Idolo’s path back to the ring just became a lot clearer, and it opens the door for some major possibilities across the wrestling landscape.

According to recent reports, Andrade’s contractual ties to WWE officially ended on December 12, meaning he is now free to sign with any promotion he chooses. While his WWE departure dates back to September, the biggest hurdle was a reported year-long non-compete clause that could have kept him sidelined well into 2025. That obstacle, however, has now been removed.

Fightful Select reports that Rush played a key role behind the scenes by connecting Andrade with an attorney and representative who has an extensive working history with WWE. That assistance helped lead to an agreement that waived the non-compete entirely. Since Andrade had not been paid by WWE since his September release, both sides were able to reach terms allowing him to immediately explore opportunities elsewhere.

As a result, Andrade could soon appear in AEW once again. Andrade is now free to negotiate with any promotion, including AEW, CMLL, AAA, TNA, or others around the world. There were also visa-related complications after WWE’s sponsorship ended, but those issues are reportedly being addressed, and Andrade is said to be back in the United States.

On the AEW side, Tony Khan has remained openly optimistic. During the Worlds End media call earlier this week, Khan spoke highly of Andrade, noting mutual respect and interest between both parties. While Khan stopped short of confirming any immediate appearances, his comments only fueled speculation that Andrade’s AEW return could be closer than ever.

AEW has reportedly been cautious throughout the situation, especially following Andrade’s surprise appearance on AEW programming earlier this year, when he aligned with Don Callis and attacked Kenny Omega. Once WWE’s legal stance became clearer, AEW aimed to ensure the transition wouldn’t create further complications.

Adding even more intrigue, Andrade recently announced his return to NJPW, where he is scheduled to appear at Wrestle Kingdom 20 as part of the United Empire. That confirmation further supports the idea that his contractual limitations are now fully behind him.

With his non-compete waived, international bookings lined up, and AEW interest still very much alive, Andrade finds himself in one of the strongest positions of his career. Wherever he lands next, it’s clear that his name is once again a major player in the global wrestling conversation.