Hiromu Takahashi has said farewell but not goodbye to NJPW.
At today’s New Beginning show, Unbound Co. (Hiromu Takahashi and Taiji Ishimori) defeated The United Empire (Francesco Akira and Jakob Austin Young).
On Hiromu’s wrist tape he has written “See You Later, NJPW”. Once the match was done, Hiromu joined the Japanese broadcast team on commentary.
Hiromu’s stablemate, IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji defeated challenger Jake Lee in the main event.
Before leaving the ring after celebrating his victory, Tsuji called Hiromu Takahashi into the ring with the rest of Unbound. Hiromu had made it known that he is leaving NJPW and tonight was his last NJPW match for some time.
“No matter what happens you have my heart and my support,” said Tsuji to Hiromu.
Unbound led the crowd in cheers for Hiromu.
Hiromu said he was “fired up” by Tsuji and maybe he should “speak his mind”.
Hiromu disagreed that he had accomplished it all as a junior heavyweight in NJPW. He wants to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as a junior heavyweight.
“Right now, I don’t think that I can and I hate myself for that. Just as I was thinking that, I thought of something else. I felt that I could leave here now with no regrets,” he said.
“I have one more belt that I want,” said Hiromu. “This isn’t goodbye. It is see you later until we meet again…More, more, more, more, more! Let’s enjoy life without regret and NJPW!”.
The rest of Unbound scooped up Hiromu and tossed him into the air.
Days ago, NJPW announced that Hiromu Takahashi was leaving the company.
“After careful consideration and discussions with NJPW management, Hiromu Takahashi, who has been a long standing member of the NJPW roster will leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling. We apologise to fans for the sudden nature of this announcement. Hiromu’s final scheduled appearance with NJPW will be at New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. New Japan Pro-Wrestling wishes Hiromu Takahashi the very best in his future activities and invites fans to show their support on his remaining appearances with NJPW,” the company said in a statement.
Speaking to Tokyo Sports, Hiromu said he thought long and hard about the decision.
“You might think it’s strange that I’m the one leaving but my dream hasn’t changed. To win the IWGP Heavyweight title as a junior and wrestle in primetime. Plus, I have another huge dream in my mind. The fact that I want to achieve that is a big factor “t’s a decision that I’ve thought about carefully. Even I have doubts. I’m sure I’ll have regrets but rather than not doing it, not taking action now and regretting it 10 or 20 years from now, I thought it would be better to take action now so that I could end my life without regrets, so I made the decision,” he said.
