Two more names will be leaving NJPW soon, including a 5-time World Champion.
As announced by New Japan on April 16th, Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI are set to leave the promotion next month. Regarding Naito, New Japan said the following, noting that his contract would not be renewed and the former World Champion will finish up in early May:
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
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.
Naito’s future was brought into question earlier in the month when a report from Tokyo Sports stated that he was without a contract and multiple rounds of negotiations had taken place. However, at that point fans were unsure as to how accurate this was as the report dropped on April 1st.
One of the biggest stars on the New Japan roster, Naito headlined Wrestle Kingdom multiple times and defeated SANADA in the main event of the 2024 show to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Naito is also the leader of the faction Los Ingobernables de Japon.
Shortly after the news broke about Naito, it was also announced that BUSHI would be leaving the company, also on May 4th:
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
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.
Also a part of the Los Ingobernables de Japon faction, BUSHI is a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
Latest NJPW Departures Confirmed
Naito and BUSHI have become the latest NJPW departures in the past week as it was also confirmed that Jeff Cobb will be exiting the promotion imminently. While not confirmed, multiple outlets have reported that Cobb will be on his way to WWE.
Following the announcement, New Japan President Hiroshi Tanahashi has issued a statement.