Hiromu Takahashi comments on ‘super positive’ NJPW departure
Hiromu Takahashi is departing NJPW, but there is no bad blood between him and the company.
It was announced last night that Takahashi is leaving NJPW and will have his final match for the promotion at the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. Tokyo Sports has published an article on the situation, writing that Takahashi’s NJPW contract expired at the end of January and he informed NJPW that he would not be renewing. The article includes comments from Takahashi, who described his departure as “super positive” and said he’s leaving to pursue a “new dream.”
“I want to deny the idea that I’m leaving because I’m dissatisfied (with New Japan). I think it’s natural for any working adult to have dissatisfaction with their company. That’s precisely why I don’t want people to think I left for such a simple reason.” Takahashi said. “I’m leaving with ambition. It’s a super positive departure.”
Takahashi’s next destination has not been revealed yet. Tokyo Sports speculates that his “new dream” could be heading overseas to WWE or AEW, though the article also mentions the possibility of Takahashi becoming a freelancer like his mentor Tetsuya Naito. Naito, BUSHI, and EVIL — former stablemates of Takahashi in Los Ingobernables de Japon — are all no longer with NJPW. At the moment, Naito & BUSHI are the GHC Tag Team Champions in Pro Wrestling NOAH.
“This departure was not influenced by the comings and goings of wrestlers he was close to, like Naito or EVIL. It was solely the result of Hiromu personally pursuing a new dream as a wrestler,” Tokyo Sports wrote. “Hiromu emphasized that his actions stemmed from deep internal conflict and careful consideration: ‘The age of 36, when Okada-san and Nakamura-san left, was something that really stuck with me. I wondered if 36 was a kind of line (for taking on new challenges).’ He emphasized this action came after much internal struggle and careful consideration.”
Takahashi is among the greatest junior heavyweight wrestlers in NJPW history. In their statement announcing his departure, NJPW wished Takahashi the best in the future and encouraged fans to show their support for him during the time he has left in the company. His last match at the New Beginning in Osaka will be Takahashi teaming with Taiji Ishimori against Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.