Tetsuya Naito’s New Japan Pro-Wrestling career wasn’t always the smoothest ride. He started as a Young Lion in the mid-aughts, and rose to main event status by 2014. Fans initially rejected him in that role… until he returned from an excursion to Mexico the next year to lead the Japanese branch of Los Ingobernables. Fans embraced the “ungovernable” Naito, and he’s been around the top of the card ever since, holding NJPW’s top title five times since 2016.
That impressive run is ending soon, however. New Japan announced today (April 16) that Naito will be leaving the promotion early next month after the two sides were unable to come to terms on a contract extension. Word is the LIJ leader’s last deal expired on Jan. 31 and he’s appearing for the company as a freelancer since.
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.
A similar but less detailed announcement was made about Naito’s LIJ teammate BUSHI. The masked wrestler has been with New Japan since 2012, winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title once and holding the companies trios titles six times.
At his own request and after careful consultation, NJPW has come to terms with the departure of BUSHI following currently scheduled appearances ending on May 4 in Fukuoka.
NJPW apologises for any concern or disappointment caused by this announcement, and joins fans in wishing BUSHI the very best in all of his future endeavours.
Both men are in their early 40s, and the physical toll of a decades-long career has left Naito limited in what he can in the ring. We’ll see the future holds for both, and for New Japan as it prepares to lose another headliner.