After months of speculation, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL has reportedly signed with WWE. Several sources in Japan have confirmed that EVIL has agreed to a deal with WWE. The former HOUSE OF TORTURE leader is expected to work under a new moniker when he begins his tenure at the American promotion.
According to other sources, EVIL had been considering his options ahead of the expiry of his final contract in NJPW. WWE or other Japanese promotions always looked the likely destination, with EVIL being seen backstage at some WWE events earlier this year. AEW was never considered a possible landing spot for EVIL, even with his strong interest in the American market.
Rumors have run more and more rampant since the April 21, 2026, episode of WWE NXT. NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo received a mysterious box with the Japanese symbol on top, as NXT General Manager Robert Stone was talking about his next challenger. Keanu Carver arrived and said to the Champion he hadn’t sent him that box, but the symbol on it meant “War.”
.@KeanuCarverWWE with a little advice for NXT Champion @TonyDangeloWWE 😮@MrStoneWWE pic.twitter.com/oezDRm3X1I
— WWE (@WWE) April 22, 2026
Who is EVIL?
The Japanese veteran has been a prominent figure in NJPW since debuting as a Young Lion in 2011. At various points during his tenure, EVIL has been aligned with many of the promotion’s major stables. These include Los Ingobernables de Japon, the Bullet Club, and HOUSE OF TORTURE. EVIL led the latter of these groups from 2021 to his departure in January 2026.
EVIL’s rise to the top tier of NJPW came in the summer of 2020. After turning on Tetsuya Naito and the Los Ingobernables stable, he defeated his former teammate at Dominion the following day. The victory delivered a phenomenal double title win, capturing both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental championships.
Along the way, EVIL has racked up an incredible amount of titles. In addition to his sole Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles, he is also a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, a two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, and a six-time NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion. He also won the 2020 New Japan Cup, beating Kazuchika Okada in the final. He is also a back-to-back World Tag League winner, achieving this in 2017 and 2018 with Sanada.
