Hiromu Takahashi is reportedly becoming a topic of discussion within WWE following the NXT arrival of his former Los Ingobernables de Japon stablemate EVIL, now performing under the name Naraku.

According to Bodyslam, there is growing belief within the WWE Performance Center that Takahashi could eventually join WWE. The report also stated that some within the company believe Takahashi may end up using the ring name “Nox Raijin,” which had originally been linked to Naraku before WWE changed direction.

Hiromu Takahashi WWE rumors

The situation surrounding the Nox Raijin name has become more interesting following recent developments on WWE NXT.

Earlier reports indicated that WWE intended to rename EVIL as Nox Raijin after filing a trademark for the name on April 28. However, WWE instead revealed during this week’s NXT episode that EVIL would compete under the name Naraku.

Sean Ross Sapp previously reported that WWE internal documents were still referring to EVIL as Nox Raijin as recently as May 3, suggesting the change to Naraku happened very late in the process.

That has now led to speculation that the Nox Raijin trademark may have always been intended for another performer, with Takahashi emerging as a possible candidate.

Takahashi spent 16 years with New Japan Pro-Wrestling after debuting in 2010 and became one of the company’s top junior heavyweight stars. During his NJPW career, he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship five times and set a record by winning the Best of the Super Juniors tournament 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. He additionally appeared for Ring of Honor, AEW, and Pro Wrestling Noah throughout his career before departing NJPW in 2026.

Takahashi and Naraku were longtime allies in Los Ingobernables de Japon before EVIL turned on the faction in 2020 to join Bullet Club. Because of that history, a potential reunion — or confrontation — between the two in WWE could add another layer to Naraku’s developing storyline in NXT.

Naraku is currently targeting Tony D’Angelo and the NXT Championship following his recent television debut.

At this stage, there is no confirmation that Takahashi has signed with WWE, but his name being discussed internally and the lingering mystery around the Nox Raijin trademark have added fuel to the speculation.

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