Tetsuya Naito Yet To Renew NJPW Deal

An exclusive report by Tokyo Sports has revealed that Tetsuya Naito is yet to renew his deal with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and has been working as a freelancer since the end of January.

Talks have stalled between Naito and New Japan three times, with the five-time heavyweight champion currently holding tag gold alongside Los Ingobernables de Japon stablemate Hiromu Takahashi.

Naito, who spoke to Tokyo Sports himself, cited the number of matches wrestled as an issue, explaining:

"I understand that I am being treated as a valuable product, but wrestlers who have time off can do maintenance or even obtain qualifications for after retirement. But wrestlers who are constantly wrestling don’t have that kind of time, and their bodies gradually become worn down. I told them that the difference between the two is too drastic, but they basically didn’t accept it, and I have the same doubts this year, so I’m holding off.

"I haven’t decided what I will do if I quit, but when I was younger, I thought I would retire at around 40. I strongly feel that my remaining time is limited, and rather than continuing to be dissatisfied, I feel like it might be better to just do things the way I want to."

Tetsuya Naito has been a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2004 and he has been one of the promotion's top stars since 2015.

H/T to POST Wrestling.

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