Hiromu Takahashi Reportedly Expected To Join WWE

Hiromu Takahashi looks to be WWE-bound.

On February 3, New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi would be leaving the promotion, with his final appearance set for New Beginning in Osaka on February 11, and following his departure rumours began to circulate that Takahashi could be WWE-bound, with a new update now emerging on his future.

BodySlam are now reporting that sources at the WWE Performance Center expect Hiromu Takahashi to join WWE, with another source noting that some believe he could take on the ‘Nox Raijin’ name that was originally intended for EVIL.

“Sources indicate to Bodyslam that word going around the Performance Center is Hiromu Takahashi is expected to end up in WWE. Another source indicated that some believe that Takahashi will be using the Nox Raijin name which was originally rumored to be EVIL’s name before they landed on NARAKU.”

-BodySlam

Hiromu Takahashi spent sixteen years with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and departed as a five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, a one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, and a record four-time Best of the Super Juniors tournament winner.

Hiromu Takahashi has plenty of history with fellow former New Japan Pro-Wrestling star and recent WWE arrival NARAKU, formerly known as EVIL. The pair spent a number of years aligned as members of Los Ingobernables de Japón before EVIL turned his back on the group by joining Bullet Club, leading to a rivalry between the former allies over both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships.

Last night’s episode of WWE NXT saw EVIL introduce himself as NARAKU, which came as a surprise to many following reports that WWE’s trademark filing for ‘Nox Raijin’ was intended for him. Following the reveal, reports now indicate that the company still have plans to use the name. You can read more about that here.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on the future of Hiromu Takahashi as soon as we hear more.