New Japan Pro Wrestling has made an official statement regarding Tetsuya Naito’s contractual situation with the organization. The announcement confirms that the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion will not be signing a new deal with the promotion where he has competed for many years.
Naito has been working without a contract since early April when his previous agreement expired, according to initial reports. The veteran performer will reportedly complete his remaining scheduled commitments with NJPW through early May before officially departing the company.
Industry sources from Fightful Select report that Naito is not expected to join All Elite Wrestling as his next destination, despite having appeared at the joint AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door events in both 2023 and 2024. At last year’s collaboration show, Naito defeated Jon Moxley to capture the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
The same report referenced Naito’s past position regarding WWE interest, noting that in 2018 he expressly stated his lack of interest in joining the American promotion. It was also mentioned that he previously declined a contract offer from WWE, suggesting this remains an unlikely landing spot.
Sources close to the situation have indicated the possibility of Naito eventually returning to NJPW at some point in the future, though no specific timeline has been provided for such a potential reunion.
