Tetsuya Naito finished up with NJPW at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku on May 4th, competing in his last scheduled match with the promotion.
Naito had been working as a freelancer since his contract expired on January 31st. It was announced on April 16th that he would be departing the company as the two sides mutually agreed to not renew his contract.
Speaking to Thom Fain of Monthly Puroresu, Naito was asked if he had heard from Kenny Omega or The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) since his NJPW departure.
"Kenny, Matt, Nick – unfortunately I don’t have their contact information, and I never contacted them myself. I haven’t been in touch with anyone at AEW at all, unfortunately. Aren’t they surprised at the news of Naito becoming a freelancer?" questioned Naito.
Omega previously said he was surprised at the news of Naito leaving NJPW.
Asked if he thought his chapters with Omega and Kazuchika Okada were coming to an end, Naito replied, "Hmm. That’s difficult. Jay White; Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada. It was so much fun getting to wrestle them, and I’d like to get in the ring with them again someday."
White, Ospreay, Omega, and Okada are all signed to AEW.
Naito is set to undergo eye surgery and treatment on his knee.
