Why WWE Booked EVIL On NXT Instead Of The Main Roster

After months of rumours and speculation, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL made his WWE debut on the April 28 episode of NXT from the WWE Performance Center.

EVIL - whose WWE name has not been revealed beyond him being described as a very evil wrestler - interrupted NXT Champion Tony D'Angelo on the show and handed him another Japanese symbol of war, just one week after Tony D was delivered a package containing the symbol. EVIL then left, having made his intentions to pursue the NXT Championship clear, although EVIL has competition as Tony D'Angelo was attacked by the returning Tavion Heights and then the debuting Will Kroos before the segment came to an end.

As he is already 39-years-old, having EVIL begin in NXT appeared to be a curious decision from WWE, but it has been revealed that it wasn't a WWE decision at all. Cory Hays of Bodyslam has instead reported that EVIL is beginning his WWE stint in NXT at his own request.

EVIL had spent his entire pro wrestling career in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, having wrestled for the company from 2011 until his contract expired at the end of January 2026. EVIL was a top star in New Japan at the time of his departure as the leader of House of Torture, and he was previously a member of Los Ingobernables de Japon and Bullet Club.

In addition to his IWGP Heavyweight Title reign, EVIL is a one-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion with SANADA, and six-time NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion.

Rumours of EVIL heading to WWE first emerged in January 2026 and it was confirmed on April 24 that he had put pen to paper on a contract with the company.