Shota Umino Signs New NJPW Deal

Several big names have exited NJPW over the last few years, but the promotion has managed to retain a notable name, with it being announced that 28-year-old Shota Umino has re-signed with the company for at least through 2026. 

Umino took to his social media to reveal that he had put pen to paper on a new deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling, stating that the company was his family. 

“I have signed a contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co., Ltd. for the 2026 fiscal year. My beloved family is “New Japan Pro-Wrestling” alone.”

Over the years, Umino has been positioned in a variety of spots across the card, with the highest he’s reached being an unsuccessful challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 19 against Zack Sabre Jr. Umino made his debut in the company back in 2017, remaining in NJPW since then. He recently teamed with Yuyu Uemura and Kaisei Takechi to challenge for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Titles at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in a multi-team Rambo match, coming up short.