Details On WWE’s Original Plans For EVIL’s New Naraku Name

EVIL is now Naraku, and a new report has details on the WWE NXT star’s originally planned ring name. As reported, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion reveals his ring name on last night’s episode of NXT in a vignette. WWE filed a trademark application for Naraku on Tuesday.

Of course, it was originally reported that Naraku’s planned ring name was going to be Nox Raijin, which WWE filed a trademark application for on April 28th. Bodyslam+ reports that according to a source, WWE had been working on vignettes and promotional material over the weekend featuring the Nox Raijin name.

The report notes that the decision to use Naraku came together on Monday. WWE usually files their trademark applications at least a matter of several days, which obviously didn’t happen here. WWE is reportedly instead going to use the name for Hiromu Takahashi.

Naraku will make his in-ring debut on next week’s episode of NXT. He posted to Twitter to comment on his new ring name, writing:

“From here on, I will be known as NARAKU.

Got it? Remember it well.”

From hereon, I will be known as NARAKU.

分かったか、よく覚えとけ#NARAKU#WWENXT https://t.co/GQVPerEYy0

— EVIL (@151012EVIL) May 6, 2026