NJPW Icon EVIL Gets New Name In WWE

NJPW legend EVIL showed up on NXT last week. He has been given a new name in WWE.

EVIL was a part of the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster for the past several years. During his tenure in NJPW, EVIL achieved a lot of success. He is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, IWGP Intercontinental Champion, NEVER Openweight Champion, and IWGP Tag Team Champion.

After spending several years in the Japanese promotion, it was reported that he had left the company. The Japanese star interrupted Tony D’Angelo last week and handed the NXT Champion a symbolic cloth.

Tonight on NXT, EVIL appeared in a vignette, where he addressed his history in the business. At the end of the recorded promo, his new name was displayed: Naraku. The word roughly translates to ‘Abyss’ in Japanese.

This is the first time that his name has been revealed on WWE TV. It was also mentioned in the vignette that he will be making his long-awaited WWE debut next week.

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The competition for the WWE NXT Title is heating up

Tony D’Angelo won the NXT Title from Joe Hendry at Stand and Deliver 2026. However, it looks like he won’t be getting any rest soon as the compeition for his title is heating up.

Last week on the black and silver brand, EVIL practically warned D’Angelo that he has his eyes set on the NXT Title. After EVIL left the ring, Tavion Heights showed up and ambushed Tony from behind and laid him out.

However, the NXT Champion seemed excited at the possibility of facing new challengers when he spoke to Shawn Michaels later in the show.

Tony followed this up by attacking Tavion Heights and then demanded to face him on this week’s episode. It remains to be seen who will be the next to get a title shot against Tony D’Angelo.