WWE Signs Former NJPW Star EVIL

Published: 2 hours ago by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: 1 hour ago by Dave Adamson

Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.

WWE has reportedly signed former NJPW star and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL, who departed the Japan-based promotion this year.

With EVIL having confirmed that he was parting ways with NJPW when his contract expired in January of this year, it was also noted that he wasn’t expected to head to AEW, with Tony Khan not being a fan of the star’s work.

PWInsider has now reported that WWE have signed the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, with the expectation in Japan being that he will no longer be called EVIL when he makes his debut.

As noted in that report, EVIL held both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships at the same time, with his reign heralding a shift in NJPW towards “darker character work and controversial finishes.”

With WWE previously having failed to sign David Finlay, who would head to AEW, signing EVIL brings another Bullet Club member to the current active roster, alongside Cody Rhodes and Finn Balor.

Japanese Stars Shine On The WWE Roster

EVIL will be far from the only Japanese star to be signed to WWE, with Shinsuke Nakamura, Kairi Sane, IYO SKY, Asuka and Akira Tozawa all currently performing in the TKO-owned company.

While Tozawa has found his niche in light-hearted performances, with his in-ring ability underpinning such moments, the others have been a more serious focus of WWE storylines over previous years, something that is common with stars of any nationality, as creative seeks the right fit for the right name and time. As long as the portrayal isn’t cruel or insensitive, it’s something that fans and critics alike can appreciate, although there are occasionally hopes that the likes of Nakamura will get more out of what is on offer, given his particular talent.

It’d be quite the departure if, when he makes his WWE debut, EVIL were to be presented as a comic character, looking like the beast that he clearly is in the ring, with an intimidating presence that eventually accentuated his time in NJPW.

In addition to the two IWGP Championships, EVIL is a four-time NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion, but is also a capable tag team star. A six-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship run in his record, EVIL is also a two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, alongside Sanada.

While WWE may have lost David Finlay to AEW, there’s the chance for them to build a big star in the form of EVIL, as long as they play to his many strengths.