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Hiromu Takahashi Exits NJPW: Where Will He Land?

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Jordan Osborne | Last updated Feb 3, 2026 7:51 AM ET

Hiromu Takahashi has become the latest major talent to exit NJPW. The five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has been associated with the company for 16 years, having debuted as a Young Lion in 2010. His extensive list of NJPW honors also includes the IWGP tag team titles, NEVER Openweight six-man tag belts, and the 2024 World Tag League.

Following Takahashi’s departure, NJPW issued an official statement on their website:

“Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. After careful consideration and discussions with NJPW management, Hiromu Takahashi, who has been a long-standing member of the NJPW roster, will leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

We apologise to fans for the sudden nature of this announcement. Hiromu’s final scheduled appearance with NJPW will be at New Beginning in Osaka on February 11.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling wishes Hiromu Takahashi the very best in his future activities and invites fans to show their support on his remaining appearances with NJPW.”

Takahashi’s exit continues a woeful start to 2026 for NJPW. Having already retired the legendary Hiroshi Tanahashi, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL confirmed his exit last week. This followed on from SANADA’s confirmation of an indefinite hiatus at the beginning of January.

After an acclaimed excursion with CMLL, underpinned by a memorable feud with Dragon Lee, Takahashi returned to NJPW in 2016. He would join the LIJ stable under the wing of Tetsuya Naito, starting his journey to top-tier status in the company. He has been a cornerstone of the company’s junior heavyweight division ever since.

Where Next for Hiromu Takahashi?

With an incredible character in Takahashi’s ‘Time Bomb’ persona, he’s proven that he can fit in almost anywhere. But NOAH might prove an attractive prospect off the bat. His Los Ingobernables stablemates Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI are freelancing for NOAH and currently hold the brand’s tag team titles under a new moniker: Los Tranquilos de Japon. So a reunion could be on the cards.

But AEW and WWE remain big temptations. At 36, Takahashi is facing a do-or-die dilemma when it comes to his future. He still has the opportunity to make a splash in the western market, but this may be his final chance.

EVIL’s relentless links to WWE and the company’s reported desires to expand into the Japanese market might encourage Takahashi. WWE has hosted house shows in Japan for the past two years, but its representation remains relatively small. Shinsuke Nakamura and Akira Tozawa are the only Japanese wrestlers representing WWE’s men’s roster.

An electric character with an appetite for chaos, Takahashi could be the signing that kickstarts an exciting new Japanese era in WWE. As an accomplished junior heavyweight, the Time Bomb could be utilised in feuds with WWE’s finest high-flyers. However, the company’s recent acquisition of AAA could enable Takahashi to thrive in the Mexican brand as well. The likes of “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio, Penta, and old rival Dragon Lee have all enjoyed matches in AAA in 2025. And Takahashi would fit right in.

Hiromu Takahashi helped his high school alma mater in Hachioji mark their centennial anniversary with a special closed event for 1250 students Tuesday!#njpw pic.twitter.com/5sakZYN9WB

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 15, 2026