Tetsuya Naito is officially done with his NJPW contractand now all eyes are on where the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion could end up next. While some fans are hoping to see him walk through the Forbidden Door into AEW, that move may not be as likely as people think.
As previously reported, Tokyo Sports April 1 report that Naito had been working without a contract and has been exploring his options. Naturally, speculation ramped up once the news became public. But according to sources close to the situation, AEW may not be in the cardsat least not in a full-time capacity.
One place weve been told repeatedly that it would be a surprise if he ended up in is AEW, Fightful noted. They added that it was reiterated that anything is possible and it was nothing on a personal level, just that the higher-ups in the company had not had interest in him outside of occasional appearances.
Naito, who was once seen as a cornerstone of New Japan Pro Wrestling, has been dealing with wear and tear from a grueling career. Injuries in recent years have affected his in-ring performance, leading some to question whether hed take on a lighter schedule or focus on legacy matches going forward.
Still, nothing is off the tableand in the world of pro wrestling, things can change quickly. AEW has a history of pulling off surprise debuts, especially involving international stars with deep fanbases. If Naito does make the jump, it would be a major momentbut for now, its far from a sure thing.
Do you think AEW should take a chance on Tetsuya Naitoor is it smarter to pass? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
