WWE Reportedly Interested in Signing Legendary Former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion
Tetsuya Naito reveals he’s been working as a free agent since January 31 after his NJPW contract expired, with multiple negotiation delays over the past months.
The wrestling world has been buzzing after one of Japan’s biggest stars confirmed his current free agent status. Tetsuya Naito, who has been a cornerstone of NJPW for nearly two decades, has revealed that he’s been competing without a contract for the past several months.
According to an exclusive report from Tokyo Sports, Naito’s previous NJPW contract expired on January 31, and contract negotiations have stalled multiple times since then. This is particularly significant as Naito approaches the 20-year mark since joining NJPW after graduating from their dojo system in November 2005. The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has been synonymous with the promotion throughout his career, making this contract situation all the more surprising.
Naito addressed his current status directly, telling Tokyo Sports:
I understand that I am being treated as a valuable product, but wrestlers who have time off can do maintenance or even obtain qualifications for after retirement. But wrestlers who are constantly wrestling don’t have that kind of time, and their bodies gradually become worn down. I said that the difference is too drastic, but basically it was not accepted and the same questions are being asked again this year, so it feels like it’s on hold.
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With Naito’s immense talent and international recognition, this revelation will inevitably spark speculation about his future. While there’s been no indication that he plans to leave NJPW, his current free agent status presents an intriguing situation for wrestling fans to monitor as one of Japan’s most decorated performers navigates this unexpected career development.
