Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL Reportedly Signs With WWE

WWE has reportedly signed an NJPW legend. This comes in the wake of reports claiming that the veteran wrestler is headed to the North American promotion and has been in talks with it.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider is reporting that numerous sources in Japan have confirmed that former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL, 39, has signed with World Wrestling Entertainment. The report notes that he is expected to work under a new name in WWE.

EVIL, real name Takaaki Watanabe, debuted in New Japan Pro-Wrestling in May 2011 as a Young Lion. After spending two years with the company, he embarked on a learning excursion in the United States of America.

In October 2015, EVIL returned to NJPW and aligned himself with the Los Ingobernables de Japon stable. Five years later, he would betray the faction to join the Bullet Club. He soon defeated Tetsuya Naito to become the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion. In 2021, he would form a subunit of the Bullet Club called HOUSE OF TORTURE, which he led until his departure in January 2026. His last match for the company took place at Road to The New Beginning on January 20.

EVIL’s resume in NJPW is mighty impressive. He is a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a one-time Intercontinental Champion, a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, a two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, and a six-time NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion. He is also a former winner of the New Japan Cup (2020) and the World Tag League (2017 and 2018).

Last month, the Wrestling Observer reported that WWE wants EVIL to start at NXT. It will be interesting to see if that happens.