NJPW Announces Departure Of Former IWGP World Champion

NJPW

New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced the shocking departure of former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito.

Earlier this week, NJPW announced the abrupt exit of Jeff Cobb following speculation of him joining WWE last month. Cobb also relinquished the IWGP Tag Team Championships that he had just won with his fellow United Empire stablemate Callum Newman at NJPW Sakura Genesis on April 5.

The team that United Empire defeated consisted of Los Ingobernables de Japon members Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito, who is now the latest star to leave the promotion.

On April 16, NJPW provided an update on the status for Tetsuya Naito, revealing that the former five-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is leaving the promotion following the upcoming Wrestling Dontaku shows on May 3 and 4. The press release reads:

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. 

That is not the only announcement made today as NJPW also announced the exit of Naito’s LIJ stablemate BUSHI from the company as well. The press release reads:

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. 

WrestleTalk will provide any further updates on Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI’s status when they become available.

Regarding Tetsuya Naito's future status with NJPWhttps://t.co/HPOpX7Ls8G pic.twitter.com/yTMTiIIvoO

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) April 16, 2025

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• Tetsuya Naito
• BUSHI
• NJPW

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