Tetsuya Naito has now reached the end of his journey with New Japan Pro-Wrestling after spending nearly two decades building his name with the company.
This was officially announced through a press release by NJPW, which stated that both parties had decided together not to renew his contract. Interestingly, he won’t be going alone, as another member of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Bushi, is also preparing to leave.
NJPW has confirmed that Naito is expected to complete his ongoing matches with them before he finally leaves on May 4.
Once that date passes, he will be open to considering other opportunities in professional wrestling. The company didn’t give any hints about where he might go next, but made it clear that the parting was friendly.
Contract Talks and Future Possibilities
There’s more to this decision than meets the eye. Reports from Fightful Select revealed that Naito had been working without a valid contract for some time.
It was stated that he and NJPW had been having talks for a new agreement, but they eventually failed to reach a deal. This report also noted that several other wrestlers in the promotion are currently performing without formal contracts.
Jeff Cobb is another wrestler who might soon exit NJPW, and many believe he is heading to WWE. This is happening at a time when more top talents from NJPW, such as Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada, have already moved to AEW or WWE to try out new paths in their careers.
End of an Era for Naito and Bushi
For a wrestler like Naito, this moment is deeply emotional. Except for short runs in promotions like ROH, CMLL, and some independent shows, NJPW has been the place where he has always belonged.
As one of the founding members of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito not only helped shape the group’s identity but also earned widespread admiration as one of NJPW’s biggest stars. Bushi, although he wasn’t part of NJPW from the start, played a big role in keeping the group steady for over ten years.
The Next Chapter Awaits
What direction Naito will take next is yet to be revealed. But one thing remains clear, any ring he steps into next will have plenty of eyes watching closely. Wherever he ends up, his journey will keep drawing attention because of the legacy he has built from the ground up.
