Tetsuya Naito Never Thought Hiromu Takahashi Would Leave NJPW, Heard Takahashi Has ‘Other Options’

Naito weighs in on the news about his former L.I.J. stablemate.

For many years, Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi were connected via the Los Ingobernables de Japon stable in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The incarnation that consisted of Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi, and EVIL is noteworthy, as over the last year, all five members have either left NJPW or are away from the promotion.

The latest to step away is Takahashi. He is finishing up with NJPW on February 11th at The New Beginning in Osaka.

Naito weighed in on Takahashi’s pending exit during a chat with Tokyo Sports. He stated that he never thought Takahashi would leave and heard that the multi-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has options on the table. Naito added that he has not told Takahashi what his next move should be.

“He was deeply committed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling. I never imagined him leaving… Well, maybe that was the case with me too. I had heard that other options were emerging for him, but I didn’t say anything like, ‘You should do this.’ Honestly, my feeling is that he took a step forward. I want to support that step he took.”

Naito began to ponder why so many talents are leaving NJPW. He mentioned that it sticks out to him that talents who seem to have been dedicated to the promotion are also leaving. He fears that if the root of that is not discovered, more departures will continue to happen.

“If you achieve your goal to some extent, you will move on to the next stage… It may be a natural progression, but is that really the only reason why various wrestlers are leaving this ring? I want New Japan Pro-Wrestling to seriously consider that. Unless we investigate what caused this situation where so many wrestlers, especially those with such dedication, are leaving, I fear even more departures next year and the year after.”

Fightful Select reported that EVIL has been in discussions with WWE. As for Takahashi, while explaining his exit, he stated that there are ‘big dreams’ he wants to achieve.

SANADA took a break from NJPW after New Year Dash. Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI are freelancers and are the current GHC Tag Team Champions of Pro Wrestling NOAH.