Backstage Update on WWE’s Plans for EVIL

As previously reported, former NJPW star and IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL is believed to have signed with WWE. An update from BodySlam+ has more details on his status.

According to the update, EVIL is expected to debut in WWE “imminently.” The report doesn’t indicate if the 39-year-old wrestler will be part of NXT or the main WWE roster. An earlier report from PWInsider said that EVIL was internally listed on the “Misc.” roster, which is where legends and injured wrestlers are placed.

EVIL departed from NJPW earlier this year. He wrestled this last match there at Road to the New Beginning 2026 show in January, where the House of Torture lost a tag team bout to Aaron Wolf, Master Wato, Toru Yano, and YOH.

During his time in NJPW, the wrestler became a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a one-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and a six-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion.