More and more talent are either leaving NJPW or exploring other options.
The company announced yesterday that Hiromu Takahashi has left 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, the former member of LIJ and five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion 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.
Today, Shane Haste (Formerly Shane Thorne and Slapjack) has announced his free agency as well.
I was prolly a little too cryptic with this post but “free agent” sounded too fancy pants for me 🧐
Maybe I should have gone with “funemployed” 😅 https://t.co/3OQQduejDx
— ‘Hysterical’ Shane Haste (@ShaneTMDK) February 1, 2026
In NJPW, Haste was part of the TMDK stable.
In the last few months the following names have left NJPW:
Hiromu Takahashi
Shane Haste
EVIL
Sanada (On indefinite leave)
Clark Connors
Others have made it known that their contacts are coming due soon and they are exploring their options outside of NJPW:
David Finlay
Drilla Moloney
Gabe Kidd
Retired
Hiroshi Tanahashi. Wrestled his last match at Wrestle Kingdom and is now the President of the company.
