Report: NJPW star rumored to be ‘looking for options’ outside company

Former IWGP Champion reveals 'back fracture' injury

According to a new report, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion may be considering options outside of New Japan Pro Wrestling.

On Sunday, Fightful Select reported that EVIL is believed to be exploring potential options in the near future. The report noted that AEW is not expected to be among those options, as Tony Khan is said to not be a fan of EVIL’s work.

The House of Torture leader lost the NEVER Openweight Championship at the Tokyo Dome during Wrestle Kingdom 20 on Sunday. EVIL was defeated by Olympic gold medalist judoka Aaron Wolf, who was making his in-ring debut.

The 38-year-old entered the NJPW Dojo system in 2011 and later went on excursion to Ring of Honor in 2014 and 2015 before returning under the EVIL persona in October 2015. He is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Intercontinental Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion with SANADA, and four-time NEVER Openweight Champion.

Exclusive access to podcasts and newsletters

Ian Carey
Ian Carey

Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.