Two of NJPW’s company’s most successful and established stars will leave next month. Tetsuya Naito and Bushi of the Los Ingobernables de Japón (LIJ) stable will depart NJPW on May 4th, with their final appearances coming at the 20th edition of Wrestling Dontaku.
Despite entering into negotiations, Naito and NJPW were unable to agree on a contract extension that suited both parties. As reported by Tokyo Sports, Naito’s current contract expired on January 31st, and negotiations were put on hold three times. That revelation in itself came as quite a surprise, considering Naito has been one of the company’s biggest draws for a number of years.
A five-time heavyweight champion in NJPW, Naito has led the popular LIJ stable since its inception in NJPW in 2015. The success of the stable under Naito’s leadership massively increased his popularity, aligning him with the promotion’s top-tier stars, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. His work with the stable saw him named Wrestler of the Year by Tokyo Sports in 2016 – a first for Naito.
NJPW confirmed Naito’s imminent departure on their website.
“In recent weeks, conversations have been ongoing between New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Tetsuya Naito regarding Naito’s future wrestling activities. As a result of those conversations, both parties have mutually agreed not to renew Naito’s contract with NJPW.
Both parties reached this decision after carefully considering it and had a long conversation. Naito’s contract ends on the best possible terms with NJPW, which joins fans in wishing Naito further success in any future endeavours.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling deeply apologises to NJPW and Naito fans for any concern this announcement may cause. Naito will make all of his scheduled appearances through the Dontaku series, concluding May 4 in Fukuoka, and looks forward to your ongoing support.”
Damaging Week for NJPW
Further shockwaves echoed through Japanese wrestling when NJPW announced that Bushi would also be departing the company. A member of the founding lineup, Bushi has also played an integral role in the success of LIJ in NJPW. With the company since 2012, Bushi has won several titles and tournaments with NJPW, including five NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships. He is also a one-time world champion in CMLL.
While Naito’s departure from NJPW seems to have been mutually agreed upon, Bushi’s exit appears to have been driven by the wrestler, not the promotion.
“At his own request and after careful consultation, NJPW has come to terms with the departure of BUSHI following currently scheduled appearances ending on May 4 in Fukuoka.
NJPW apologises for any concern or disappointment caused by this announcement, and joins fans in wishing BUSHI the very best in all of his future endeavours.”
These major departures follow Jeff Cobb’s sensational exit from NJPW earlier this week. Cobb vacated the IWGP Tag Titles upon his exit, and rumors of a WWE transfer refuse to go away. Cobb and Callum Newman’s reign lasted just nine days, having won the titles from Naito and his partner Hiromu Takahashi. It is unclear at this time whether Naito and Bushi have transfers to other promotions lined up.
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