Hiromu Takahashi’s name has reportedly begun circulating within World Wrestling Entertainment circles following the recent NXT debut of his former Los Ingobernables de Japon stablemate EVIL, now performing under the name Naraku.
According to BodySlam.net, there has been growing talk within the WWE Performance Center that Takahashi is expected to eventually join WWE. The report also noted that some internally believed Takahashi could potentially inherit the “Nox Raijin” ring name — the trademark originally intended for Naraku before WWE reportedly made a late creative change ahead of Tuesday night’s WWE NXT broadcast.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select previously reported that WWE internal documents were still referring to EVIL as “Nox Raijin” as recently as May 3, further supporting the idea that the switch to Naraku happened very late in the process.
The trademark for “Nox Raijin” was officially filed with the USPTO on April 28, leading to speculation that the name may have ultimately been repurposed for another incoming talent.
Takahashi recently departed New Japan Pro-Wrestling after a highly decorated 16-year run with the company. During that time, he became a five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and established himself as one of the most accomplished junior heavyweights of his era by winning the Best of the Super Juniors tournament a record four times in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Outside NJPW, Takahashi also competed in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre under the name Kamaitachi, where he captured the CMLL World Lightweight Championship. His career additionally included appearances for Ring of Honor, All Elite Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Noah.
Takahashi and Naraku shared a long history together as members of Los Ingobernables de Japon before EVIL’s shocking 2020 betrayal of the faction to join Bullet Club.
Should Takahashi ultimately arrive in WWE, a reunion — or possible rivalry — between the former LIJ allies could add another intriguing dimension to Naraku’s developing storyline within NXT, particularly his ongoing issues with Tony D’Angelo.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for more updates.
