Tag: EVIL

  • EVIL Puts NXT Locker Room On Notice After Debut

    EVIL Puts NXT Locker Room On Notice After Debut

    EVIL has made his WWE debut during the April 28 episode of NXT, confronting NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo in a segment that introduced the former NJPW star to WWE audiences.

    EVIL handed D’Angelo a scroll with Kanji written on it before he exited the ring. Tavion Heights and Will Kroos then attacked D’Angelo following the confrontation.

    The wrestler kept his reaction brief on social media, posting a simple message following his first appearance on WWE television.

    He wrote:

    “I’ve Arrived.”

    WWE has not used EVIL’s name on television yet and there is a possibility that his name could be changed.

    EVIL’s Background

    The wrestler is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the second-ever NJPW Triple Crown winner. Since 2021, he led Bullet Club’s sub-unit known as the House Of Torture.

    In January 2026, EVIL announced he would not renew his contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling and planned to explore opportunities elsewhere. His arrival in WWE NXT marks the next chapter of his career.

  • Update On EVIL WWE Debut Ahead of NXT (4/28)

    Update On EVIL WWE Debut Ahead of NXT (4/28)

    EVIL is expected to make his WWE debut imminently after signing with the company. The former New Japan Pro Wrestling star officially ended his tenure with NJPW in January 2026 and is now set to join the WWE roster.

    EVIL built a formidable legacy during his time in Japan. He formed the notorious House of Torture faction in NJPW and won multiple championships throughout his career.

    The powerhouse wrestler is now seeking a fresh start on a global stage. His presence is expected to make an immediate impact on the WWE locker room.

    Latest Update

    As per Bodyslam, sources indicate the 39-year-old wrestler known as the “King of Darkness” will debut very shortly. The move is viewed as a significant acquisition for WWE.

    PWInsider has reported that EVIL has not been assigned to any brand and is currently sitting in an unusual internal category.

    “Former IWGP Champion EVIL has not been officially assigned to any WWE brand and is listed internally on the company’s ‘Misc.’ roster, which is also where legends and injured talents reside internally.”

    Possible Debut on NXT?

    There has been speculation about how EVIL might be introduced to WWE. The discussions quickly picked up steam after last week’s episode of NXT. During the show, Tony D’Angelo received a mysterious box which was marked with the Japanese kanji for “war.”

    The eagle-eyed fans have immediately picked up on it and connected it with EVIL’s possible debut on this week’s edition of NXT.

  • EVIL’s Internal WWE Status Revealed

    EVIL’s Internal WWE Status Revealed

    EVIL has signed with WWE, but the company has not yet figured out what to do with him.

    Following confirmation that the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion had signed with WWE after his January departure from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, a new update from PWInsider reveals that EVIL has not been assigned to any brand and is currently sitting in an unusual internal category.

    “Former IWGP Champion EVIL has not been officially assigned to any WWE brand and is listed internally on the company’s ‘Misc.’ roster, which is also where legends and injured talents reside internally,” PWInsider reports.

    The holding category suggests WWE has not yet finalized creative plans for introducing him, even though the signing itself has already been confirmed by multiple overseas sources. PWInsider also notes that WWE has not publicly acknowledged his arrival, keeping his status quiet despite the news having circulated.

    The situation is further complicated by the expectation that EVIL will not be using his current ring name once he appears on WWE programming. As PWInsider previously noted, sources in Japan believe a name change is coming, which would point toward a full character repackage whenever his debut ultimately arrives.

    Whether WWE introduces him through NXT to rebuild his character or rolls him directly onto Raw or SmackDown under a new identity has not been determined. For now, his spot on the Misc. roster suggests the company is still working through that decision.

  • WWE Signs Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL

    WWE Signs Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL

    According to PWInsider.com, WWE has signed former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL. 

    The signing ends months of speculation about where the 39-year-old would land following his departure from New Japan Pro Wrestling in January. PWInsider describes the deal as signed and sealed with WWE.

    EVIL made a name for himself in NJPW in 2020 after executing one of the more shocking betrayals in recent Japanese wrestling history. Originally a member of the beloved Los Ingobernables de Japón faction, EVIL turned on the group and aligned himself with Bullet Club. Shortly after the turn, he defeated Tetsuya Naito to become a double champion, simultaneously holding both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships. 

    Before his NJPW run, EVIL debuted in professional wrestling in 2011 and spent time in the United States with Ring of Honor as well as appearances for Global Force Wrestling.

    PWInsider also notes that the expectation in Japan is that EVIL will not keep his current ring name upon arriving in WWE. What his new character and presentation will look like has not been revealed.

  • Wrestling News: Mysterio Injured, Balor Attacks Punk, EVIL to WWE, Zayn Gets Title Shot

    Here\’s your Wrestling News Briefing for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, covering the biggest stories from WWE, AEW, and the world of professional wrestling over the past few days.

    Rey Mysterio Injured on WWE Raw

    WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio reportedly sustained an injury during his match against Austin Theory on Monday Night RAW. The injury seemingly occurred late in the match, with Mysterio clutching his shoulder after taking Theory\’s stomp finisher.

    While he finished the bout, Mysterio was noticeably absent from the post-match beatdown by The Vision. Medical personnel attended to Mysterio at ringside, and the referee reportedly signaled an \”X,\” indicating a legitimate injury. The severity of the injury remains unknown, casting doubt on Mysterio\’s participation in this Saturday\’s Royal Rumble.

    Finn Balor Costs CM Punk World Title, Unleashes Assault

    The main event of Monday Night RAW saw CM Punk defend his World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles. However, the match ended in disqualification after Finn Balor interfered, attacking Punk and costing him the match.

    Balor, furious over being denied a spot in the Royal Rumble by Adam Pearce, unleashed a vicious assault on Punk, delivering multiple Coup de Grace finishers. The attack throws Punk\’s title reign into further chaos heading into the Royal Rumble.

    EVIL Officially Departing NJPW, Expected to Join WWE

    New Japan Pro Wrestling has officially announced that EVIL will be leaving the promotion when his contract expires at the end of January. Reports indicate that the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is WWE-bound.

    EVIL, who debuted in NJPW in 2011, captured numerous titles during his time there, including the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and multiple tag team championships. While neither EVIL nor WWE has confirmed the signing, sources say Tony Khan is not a fan, and AEW is not an option.

    Sami Zayn Earns Royal Rumble Title Shot

    Sami Zayn emerged victorious from a Fatal 4-Way match on WWE Saturday Night\’s Main Event, earning the right to challenge Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. The match, held in Zayn\’s hometown of Montreal, saw him defeat Randy Orton, Damian Priest, and Trick Williams in a hard-fought contest. The closing moments featured Priest hitting Zayn with the Razor\’s Edge, but Zayn recovered to deliver a Helluva Kick for the win. McIntyre attempted a post-match attack, but Zayn was ready and fought him off, standing tall to close the show.

    Stephanie Vaquer Returns, Confronts Raquel Rodriguez

    WWE Women\’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer made a surprise return at Saturday Night\’s Main Event, interfering in the WWE Women\’s Tag Team Championship match between Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY and Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez. Vaquer, who had been sidelined with a walking boot following an attack by Raquel Rodriguez, appeared without the boot and confronted Rodriguez, who was attempting to interfere in the match. Vaquer fought off Rodriguez, allowing Ripley and SKY to retain their titles. A Women\’s World Championship Philadelphia Street Fight between Vaquer and Rodriguez has been announced for the February 2nd RAW.

    Alpha Academy Earns Tag Title Opportunity

    Alpha Academy, comprised of Otis and Akira Tozawa, emerged victorious in a four-way tag team match on RAW to become the number one contenders for the WWE World Tag Team Championships. They defeated The New Day, American Made (The Creed Brothers), and Los Americanos to earn their shot at The Usos. Tozawa pinned Julius Creed after a senton bomb to secure the victory.

    Killer Kelly Confirms TNA Departure

    Killer Kelly has confirmed her departure from TNA Wrestling after her contract expired. While TNA offered a short-term extension, Kelly chose to move on. She expressed gratitude for her time in TNA and is looking forward to her next move. She was backstage at the January 14th AEW Dynamite in support of her fiancé, Myron Reed, who recently joined AEW.

    Paul Wight Joins AEW Collision Commentary Team

    Paul Wight (formerly known as The Big Show in WWE) made his return to the commentary desk on this week\’s AEW Collision, joining Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. Wight is no stranger to commentary, having previously worked on AEW Dark: Elevation. He hasn\’t competed for AEW since November 2023 and recently underwent minor back surgery.

    Quick Hits

    • Bron Breakker Reinstated: Adam Pearce lifted Bron Breakker\’s suspension and added him to the Royal Rumble match, along with the rest of The Vision (Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, Austin Theory).
    • Oba Femi Enters Royal Rumble: NXT standout Oba Femi has been officially announced as a participant in the Men\’s Royal Rumble match.
    • Je\’Von Evans Cleared: Je\’Von Evans declared himself fit and will compete in the Royal Rumble after an injury scare last week.
    • Royal Rumble Theme Song: Triple H announced that Linkin Park\’s \”Heavy Is The Crown\” is the official theme song for the 2026 Royal Rumble.
    • Ricochet vs. Jack Perry Set: AEW National Champion Ricochet will defend his title against Jack Perry on the February 4th Dynamite/Collision show in Las Vegas.
    • AEW\’s \”Brawling Birds\”: AEW has filed a trademark for the name \”Brawling Birds,\” potentially for the new tag team of Alex Windsor and Jamie Hayter.
    • MJF Heads to HOG: AEW World Champion MJF will appear at House of Glory\’s \”No Turning Back\” event next month in Long Island.
    • Becky Wants Toni: Becky Lynch expressed her desire to wrestle AEW\’s Toni Storm, naming her as a dream opponent.
    • WWE 2K26 Monday Night Wars Edition: WWE and 2K announced the \”Monday Night War\” edition cover for WWE 2K26, featuring stars from WWE and WCW. Pre-orders open January 30th.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for continuing coverage of these stories.

  • WWE Rumors: EVIL Signing, Chad Gable Return, Royal Rumble News

    The latest WWE rumors have the wrestling world buzzing. With Royal Rumble 2026 just days away and Saturday Night\’s Main Event headed to Montreal this weekend, we filter out the noise and catch you up to speed in this WWE rumors roundup for January 22, 2026.

    EVIL Expected to Leave NJPW for WWE

    One of the biggest WWE rumors today involves former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion EVIL, who has reportedly given his notice to New Japan Pro Wrestling. Multiple sources indicate WWE is his likely destination.

    Bryan Alvarez reported on Wrestling Observer Live that \”EVIL might be on his way out of New Japan, and it is strongly rumored that he will end up in WWE.\”

    EVIL, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Intercontinental Champion, and Tag Team Champion, has been a staple of NJPW\’s House of Torture faction. His potential move to WWE would mark another significant international acquisition for the company following its recent partnership with AAA.

    El Hijo Del Vikingo Under Direct WWE Contract

    According to PWInsider Elite, El Hijo Del Vikingo holds a unique contract situation compared to the rest of the AAA roster.

    While most AAA wrestlers remain signed to AAA following WWE\’s acquisition, Vikingo is reportedly under a direct WWE contract. This suggests WWE views the high-flying luchador as a priority talent with potential for their main programming.

    Chad Gable Return Pitched for January 26 Raw

    Chad Gable may be inching closer to his return to WWE television. There\’s a rumor that internal discussions have included pitches for Gable to make his comeback on the January 26 episode of WWE Raw in Toronto.

    Gable has been absent from WWE programming, and with Raw heading to Canada, the timing would make sense for his return. However, nothing has been officially confirmed.

    Chris Jericho SmackDown/SNME Appearance Debunked

    With WWE bringing both SmackDown and Saturday Night\’s Main Event to Montreal this weekend, speculation had ramped up about a potential Chris Jericho appearance. The Canadian legend has been the subject of WWE return rumors for months.

    However, reports indicate that Jericho will not be appearing at either show this weekend, putting those specific rumors to rest—at least for now.

    Injured Star Favorite to Win Royal Rumble

    Betting odds have revealed an interesting WWE rumor: an injured star is the favorite to win the Women\’s Royal Rumble match. While not officially named, speculation points to Charlotte Flair.

    The Royal Rumble has historically been a prime spot for surprise returns, and Flair making her comeback in Riyadh would certainly generate one of the biggest reactions of the night.

    Mystery Caller to Adam Pearce Storyline

    On this week\’s Raw, Adam Pearce received a mysterious phone call that left Paul Heyman pleased. The Wiseman teased that Pearce was speaking with \”someone powerful\” that even top WWE officials would not want to hear from.

    Logan Paul, speaking on his vlog, suggested it must be \”The Big Man\”—though he clarified it wasn\’t Triple H. Fan speculation and WWE rumors have run wild, with theories ranging from a returning legend to a new authority figure being introduced.

    Seth Rollins WrestleMania 42 Status Uncertain

    Seth Rollins provided an update on his recovery from shoulder surgery, with WWE rumors swirling about his WrestleMania timeline.

    \”I hope to be cleared by the time WrestleMania rolls around,\” Rollins told Men\’s Health, while describing his current rehab process as \”awful\” and \”way worse\” than previous knee injuries.

    With The Vision storyline continuing in his absence, speculation has grown about who might join Rollins in a potential faction upon his return to combat the group.

    Celebrity Royal Rumble Betting Odds

    Betting sites have released odds on potential celebrity appearances at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, adding fuel to WWE rumors about surprise entrants:

    • IShowSpeed: 30.77% implied chance of appearing
    • Jake Paul: Also listed among possibilities

    WWE has a history of including surprise celebrity entrants in Royal Rumble matches, and with the event taking place in Saudi Arabia, the company may look to maximize star power.

    Additional WWE Rumors and Notes

    • Finn Balor character change: Sam Roberts pitched a major character shift for Balor after crowds cheered him over CM Punk during their Belfast title match
    • Penta teases surprise with George Kittle: The WWE star hinted at a \”big surprise\” involving the NFL tight end, calling it \”very special\”
    • \”Royce Keys\” trademark filed: WWE filed a new trademark on January 20, sparking speculation about a potential new ring name for an upcoming talent
    • WWE LFG Season 3 changes: Backstage reports indicate planned changes for the new season, with Kevin Owens rumored but not confirmed as a mentor

    Which of these WWE rumors are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below.