 Naito in 2018 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1982-06-22)June 22, 1982 (age 43)[1] Adachi, Tokyo, Japan[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Tetsuya Naito Naito Naitoh |
| Billed height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1] |
| Billed weight | 102 kg (225 lb)[1] |
| Trained by | Animal Hamaguchi[1] Takada Dojo[1] NJPW Dojo[1] Hiroyoshi Tenzan[2] |
| Debut | May 27, 2006[1] |
Tetsuya Naito (内藤哲也,Naitō Tetsuya; born June 22, 1982) is a Japaneseprofessional wrestler. He is working as afreelancer. He is best known for his 21-year run inNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) from 2004 to 2025, and is largely regarded as one of the greatest and most popular wrestlers in the company's history, where he was a five-time world champion.
Naito began training for a professional wrestling career in 2000, initially underAnimal Hamaguchi before joining NJPW in 2004, where he underwent further training and progressively rose to main event status. Although NJPW aimed to establish him as a top star by 2014, his clean cutbabyface persona caused significant fan backlash, leading his planned main event match atWrestle Kingdom, NJPW's biggest event, to be demoted to the mid-card. This, and a stay in the Mexican stableLos Ingobernables through NJPW's partnership withConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), would lead Naito to reinvent himself as anantihero leading his own stable,Los Ingobernables de Japon. Despite its villainous tendencies, this newgimmick immediately led him to new heights of popularity, and he would win the company's top prize, theIWGP Heavyweight Championship,thrice, and its direct successor, theIWGP World Heavyweight Championship,twice, while finally main-eventing Wrestle Kingdom five separate times.
In NJPW, Naito is also the winner of the2013,2017 and2023 editions of theG1 Climax, NJPW's premier singles tournament, and of the2016New Japan Cup. Other accomplishments include being the first person to hold the IWGP Heavyweight andIntercontinental Championships at the same time, a feat he accomplished twice, and being together with partnerYujiro Takahashi asNo Limit the first team to have held both the company'sheavyweight andjunior heavyweight tag titles. He was awardedTokyo Sports'sMVP Award, the publication's highest honor, in 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2023.
Naito began training for a professional wrestling career in 2000, initially underAnimal Hamaguchi.[1]
In 2004 Naito won the "Takeda Dojo Submission" tournament, which landed him a contract withNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) to train in theirdojo.[1]
After a year in NJPW's Dojo on November 3, 2005, Naito passed a public audition held by NJPW inKorakuen Hall, graduating from the dojo and earning a spot on the promotion's roster.[1] After half a year of further training, Naito wrestled his debut match on May 27, 2006, losing toTakashi Uwano.[1] He picked up his first win on October 29 overMitsuhide Hirasawa.[1] In 2007, Naito participated in the2007 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, replacing a wrestler who was unable to compete due to injuries.[1] Tetsuya finished last in Block B, earning four points by defeatingGedo andEl Samurai, losing the other four matches in his block.
In February 2008, Naito formed a tag team with fellow rookieYujiro Takahashi calledNo Limit. In March, the two went to fifteen-minute time limit draws with formerIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship teams such asKoji Kanemoto andWataru Inoue, andMinoru andPrince Devitt, and Takahashi pinned veteranSuper Strong Machine in a trios match.[3] All of this led to a junior tag title challenge for the duo, facing Machine's Legend stablematesJyushin Thunder Liger andAkira, in which No Limit came up short when Akira pinned Naito.
In May 2008, Naito and Takahashi underwent a five-match series with some of New Japan's top tag teams, dubbed "No Limit Generation Smash", held in the variousZepp clubs across Japan. The teams includedJado and Gedo,Togi Makabe andToru Yano, Wataru Inoue and Koji Kanemoto,Shinsuke Nakamura andHirooki Goto, andYuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi. No Limit lost all five matches.[4] A special sixth match in the series took place in Zero1 on May 29, 2008, Naito and Takahashi defeated Zero1's Osamu Namiguchi and Shito Ueda.[5] In July, Naito and Takahashi participated in a single-elimination tournament to decide the new holder of the recently vacated IWGP Junior Heavyweight title. Naito lost to Takahashi in the first round of the tournament.[6] On October 13, 2008, atDestruction '08, Naito and Takahashi defeated Devitt and Minoru to win theIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. On January 4, 2009, atWrestle Kingdom III, theMotor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley andChris Sabin) defeated them to win the tag team title.[7]
Shortly after losing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Naito and Takahashi traveled to North America for a "developmental tour", something often done with young Japanese wrestlers to expose them to other styles of wrestling and help them develop into better wrestlers. No Limit worked mainly forTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), while also making an appearance for bothTeam 3D's wrestling academy andJersey All Pro Wrestling, although Naito was not able to wrestle in JAPW due to an injury and was replaced by the team's TNA allySheik Abdul Bashir.[8] Naito and Takahashi worked for TNA approximately two months, receiving another unsuccessful shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.[9] No Limit's final appearance for TNA was a handicap match on the May 14, 2009 episode ofImpact! againstKevin Nash, which the team lost.[10]
No Limit made their debut forConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) inMexico City, Mexico, on May 29, 2009, teaming withDos Caras Jr. to defeatHéctor Garza,La Sombra andVolador Jr. No Limit were presented as "Anti-Mexican"heels ("bad guys") and soon began teaming withOkumura under the team nameLa Ola Amarilla (Spanish for "The Yellow Wave"), in matches against Mexicans.
On July 10, 2009, No Limit teamed withBlack Warrior to defeat the team of Héctor Garza,Toscano andEl Sagrado, After the match Black Warrior made a challenge on behalf of Takahashi (as he does not speak Spanish) for a "hair vs. hair" match with Garza.[11] This led to all men being involved in a 15-man steel cageLuchas de Apuestas match atInfierno en el Ring that Naito won by pinning Toscano, forcing him to have his hair shaved off.[12] Following the match No Limit's focus was on Black Warrior, who had turned on them during the cage match. WhenJyushin Thunder Liger toured Mexico in September, 2009 he joined the "Anti-Mexico" faction, teaming with No Limit and Okumura to defeat Team Mexico (Último Guerrero,Atlantis, Black Warrior and Héctor Garza) at theCMLL 76th Anniversary Show on September 18, 2009.[13] The storyline feud between No Limit and Black Warrior reached its conclusion on October 16, 2009 as Black Warrior faced Takahashi in aLucha de Apuesta, hair vs. hair match that Takahashi won two falls to one, forcing Black Warrior to have his hair shaved off after the match.[14]
After the storyline with Black Warrior ended, No Limit began working with the team ofEl Texano Jr. andEl Terrible in a feud that led to aLucha de Apuesta hair vs. hair match between the two teams that was the main event of CMLL'sSin Salida show on December 4, 2009. After being successful throughout the summer and fall No Limit finally lost to Texano Jr. and Terrible atSin Salida and were both shaved completely bald after the match per Lucha Libre traditions.[15]
While Takahashi decided not to return to CMLL, Naito stated that he would like to work in Mexico between NJPW tours. Naito teamed up with Okumura and was expected to team up withTaichi, a NJPW rookie who would travel to Mexico to gain experience.[16]
On December 5, 2009, NJPW announced that Naito and Takahashi were returning to Japan as part of their annualJanuary 4 Tokyo Dome Show,Wrestle Kingdom IV.[17] At the event Naito and Takahashi defeatedTeam 3D (Brother Ray andBrother Devon) andBad Intentions (Giant Bernard andKarl Anderson) in a three-way hardcore match to win theIWGP Tag Team Championship.[18] No Limit had their first title defense on February 14, 2010, defeating El Texano Jr. and El Terrible to retain the title.[19] On April 4 atNew Dimension No Limit joined New Japan's top heel stableChaos, led by theIWGP Heavyweight ChampionShinsuke Nakamura.[20] On May 3, 2010, atWrestling Dontaku 2010 Naito and Takahashi lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship toYuji Nagata andWataru Inoue ofSeigigun in a three-way match, which also included Bad Intentions.[21]
After losing the title, Naito began breaking out on his own, scoring pinfall victories over the reigning IWGP Heavyweight ChampionTogi Makabe, IWGP Tag Team Champion Karl Anderson and former IWGP Heavyweight ChampionManabu Nakanishi and wrestling four-time IWGP Heavyweight ChampionHiroshi Tanahashi to a 30-minute time limit draw during the2010 G1 Climax tournament, while also having another strong showing against Tanahashi in a losing effort atDestruction '10 on October 11.[22][23][24][25][26] On October 24 No Limit entered the2010 G1 Tag League.[27] After three wins and two losses, they finished first in their block and advanced to the semifinals.[28] On November 7, after defeating Nakanishi andStrong Man in the semifinals, No Limit was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Nagata and Inoue.[29] On December 11, 2010, No Limit picked up a major win by defeating theTNA World Tag Team Champions, The Motor City Machine Guns, in a non–title match.[30] On January 4, 2011, atWrestle Kingdom V, Naito unsuccessfully challengedJeff Hardy for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship.[31][32] On May 3, No Limit failed in their attempt to regain the IWGP Tag Team Championship from Bad Intentions. After the match, Takahashi walked out on Naito.[33][34]
In May 2011 Naito took part in New Japan's first tour of the United States, theInvasion Tour 2011. On May 13 inRahway, New Jersey, he entered the tournament to determine the first everIWGP Intercontinental Champion, defeating local worker Josh Daniels in his first round match.[35] The following day inNew York City, Naito was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinal stage byMVP.[36] Upon their return to Japan, Takahashi turned on Naito on May 26, effectively dissolving No Limit and turning Naitoface.[37]
On June 18 atDominion 6.18, Takahashi defeated Naito in the first match between the former members of No Limit.[38] On June 28, Naito returned to CMLL for a one-month stint.[39] Upon his return to Japan, Naito faced Takahashi during the first day of the2011 G1 Climax, with Takahashi once again emerging victorious.[40] Naito then went on to win six out of his eight remaining matches, including picking up big wins over Giant Bernard,Yoshihiro Takayama and IWGP Heavyweight ChampionHiroshi Tanahashi, to win his block and advance to the finals of the 2011 G1 Climax. However, in the end, Naito failed to win the tournament as he was defeated in the finals byShinsuke Nakamura.[41] On September 19, Naito defeated Takahashi in the third singles match between the two, after which he made an official challenge towards Tanahashi and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.[42] On October 10 atDestruction '11, Naito failed in his attempt to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Tanahashi.[43]
On January 4, 2012, atWrestle Kingdom VI, Naito facedAll Japan Pro Wrestling'sKeiji Muto in a losing effort.[44] From late 2011 to early 2012, Naito was involved in a feud with Nakamura, which built to a singles match on February 12 atThe New Beginning, where Naito was victorious and in the process became the number one contender to new IWGP Heavyweight ChampionKazuchika Okada.[45] Naito received his title opportunity on March 4 in the main event of New Japan's 40th anniversary event, but was defeated by Okada.[46] During the next months, Naito began having problems with Tanahashi, after he was chosen over Naito as the next challenger for Okada.[47][48] In August, Naito took part in the2012 G1 Climax tournament, during which he picked up a big win over Okada.[49] However, a loss toHirooki Goto on the final day of the tournament meant that Okada managed to overtake him in the standings, causing him to get eliminated from the tournament.[50] Despite suffering a legitimate knee injury during the tournament, Naito continued wrestling regularly afterwards.[51] On October 8 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Naito was defeated byYujiro Takahashi, when the referee ended the match due to Takahashi punishing Naito's injured knee. Following the match, Naito was stretchered out of the arena.[52] Naito underwent reconstructive knee surgery on October 16 and was expected to miss eight months of in-ring action.[53]
On May 3, 2013, Naito made an appearance at New Japan'sWrestling Dontaku 2013 event, announcing that he would be returning to the ring on June 22, while also naming theNEVER Openweight Championship, held byMasato Tanaka, as his goal.[54] On June 22 atDominion 6.22, Naito defeated Takahashi in his return match.[55] On July 20, Naito failed in his attempt to capture the NEVER Openweight Championship from Tanaka.[56][57] From August 1 to 11, Naito took part in the2013 G1 Climax.[58] Finishing with a record of five wins and four losses, Naito clinched the number one spot in his block and advanced to the finals after a win overKarl Anderson on the final day. In the finals, Naito defeated Tanahashi to win the 2013 G1 Climax and earn a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Naito, however, announced that he first wanted a rematch with Masato Tanaka for the NEVER Openweight Championship.[59] The following day, Naito was given acontract, which granted him a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2014, at the Tokyo Dome.[60] On September 29 atDestruction, Naito defeated Masato Tanaka to not only retain the contract, but to also win the NEVER Openweight Championship.[61] On October 14 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Naito successfully defended both the title and the contract against Takahashi.[62] On November 9 atPower Struggle, Naito defeated Masato Tanaka to retain the NEVER Openweight Championship and solidify his spot in the main event of the January 4 Tokyo Dome show.[63] Naito and reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Okada faced off on November 23 during the first day of the2013 World Tag League in a match, where Naito and Mexican wrestler La Sombra were defeated by Okada andYoshi-Hashi.[64] Naito and La Sombra finished the tournament on December 6 with a record of three wins and three losses, failing to advance from their block.[65] Following a disappointing fan reaction to a confrontation between Naito and Okada, New Japan announced that fans would get to vote whether they or Nakamura and Tanahashi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship would be the true main event of the Tokyo Dome show.[66][67] When the results were released on December 9, Naito and Okada had gotten only half the votes Nakamura and Tanahashi had gotten and, as a result, lost their main event spot for New Japan's biggest show of the year.[68][69] On January 4, 2014, atWrestle Kingdom 8, Naito failed in his title challenge against Okada.[70][71] The following day, Naito entered a new feud withTomohiro Ishii, who announced his intention of becoming the next NEVER Openweight Champion.[72] On February 11 atThe New Beginning in Osaka, Naito lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Ishii in his third title defense.[73]
From July 21 to August 8, Naito took part in the2014 G1 Climax, where he finished fifth in his block with a record of five wins and five losses.[74][75] On October 13 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Naito unsuccessfully challenged Okada, whom he had defeated during the G1 Climax, for his IWGP Heavyweight Championship number one contender's contract.[76][77] The following month, Naito reunited with La Sombra for the2014 World Tag League.[78] The team finished in the middle of their block with a record of four wins and three losses.[79] In May 2015, Naito took part in the NJPW/Ring of Honor (ROH) co-produced tour of United States and Canada, during which he unsuccessfully challengedJay Lethal for theROH World Television Championship atGlobal Wars '15.[80]
While the rest of NJPW workers returned to Japan, Naito remained in North America, returning to Mexico and CMLL for a tour,[81] during which he continued teaming with La Sombra as part of hisLos Ingobernables stable.[82][83] His tour culminated with him and La Sombra unsuccessfully challengingNegro Casas andShocker for theCMLL World Tag Team Championship on June 21.[84] Naito returned to NJPW the following week with a new look and persona,[85] while also announcing that he now representedLos Ingobernables also in NJPW.[86] From July 20 to August 14, Naito took part in the2015 G1 Climax.[87] Despite big early wins overA.J. Styles and eventual tournament winnerHiroshi Tanahashi,[88][89] Naito finished third in his block with a record of five wins and four losses and thus failed to advance to the finals.[90] On October 12 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Naito unsuccessfully challenged 2015 G1 Climax winner Tanahashi for his IWGP Heavyweight Championship contract. During the match, the returningTakaaki Watanabe was revealed as Naito's new partner, but his outside interference was stopped byHirooki Goto andKatsuyori Shibata.[91] Shortly afterwards, Naito and Watanabe, now dubbed "Evil", were joined byBushi to form theLos Ingobernables de Japón stable.[92] In December, Naito and Evil won their block in the2015 World Tag League with a record of five wins and one loss, advancing to the finals of the tournament.[93] On December 9, Naito and Evil were defeated in the finals by Togi Makabe andTomoaki Honma.[94]
On January 4, 2016, atWrestle Kingdom 10, Naito was defeated by Goto, with whomLos Ingobernables de Japón had been feuding since the previous October.[95] Naito avenged the loss on March 12 by defeating Goto in the finals to win the2016 New Japan Cup.[96] On April 10 atInvasion Attack 2016, Naito defeated Kazuchika Okada with help from hisLos Ingobernables de Japón stablemates Bushi, Evil and the debutingSanada to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the first time.[97] Naito made his first successful title defense on May 3 atWrestling Dontaku 2016 against Tomohiro Ishii.[98] On June 19 atDominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall, Naito lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship back to Kazuchika Okada.[99] From July 22 to August 13, Naito took part in the2016 G1 Climax, where he finished second in his block with a record of six wins and three losses.[100] Naito finished tied with block winnerKenny Omega on points, but failed to advance to the finals due to losing to Omega in their head-to-head match on the final day.[101] On September 25 atDestruction in Kobe, Naito defeatedMichael Elgin to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the first time.[102] He made his first successful title defense on November 5 atPower Struggle against Jay Lethal.[103] Naito then took part in the2016 World Tag League, where he andLos Ingobernables member Rush finished with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals due to losing to block winnersTama Tonga andTanga Loa in their finalround-robin match.[104]
On December 14,Tokyo Sports named Naito the 2016 MVP in all of Japanese professional wrestling, marking the first time since 2010 that the award was not won by either Tanahashi or Okada. Naito won the award decidedly in the first round of voting, garnering 18 of 21 votes to beat Okada and Omega.[105] On January 4, 2017, atWrestle Kingdom 11, Naito successfully defended the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Tanahashi,[106] which he followed up with another successful title defense against Michael Elgin on February 11 atThe New Beginning in Osaka.[107] On April 29 at Wrestling Toyonokuni 2017, Naito retained the IWGP Intercontinental Championship againstJuice Robinson, after which he was challenged by Tanahashi.[108] Naito's reign ended on June 11 atDominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall, where he was defeated by Tanahashi.[109] On July 1 atG1 Special in USA, Naito took part in atournament to determine the inauguralIWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, but was eliminated in his first round match by Tomohiro Ishii.[110]
The following month, Naito won his block in the2017 G1 Climax with a record of seven wins and two losses, advancing to the finals of the tournament.[111] On August 13, Naito defeated Omega in the finals to win his second G1 Climax.[112] On October 9 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Naito defeated Tomohiro Ishii to ensure his spot in the main event ofWrestle Kingdom 12.[113] On December 14, Naito became the fifth wrestler to win consecutive MVP Awards fromTokyo Sports.[114] On January 4, 2018, Naito was defeated by Okada in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 12.[115] The following night, at New Year Dash!! 2018, Naito was attacked byChris Jericho.[116]
On April 29, 2018, atWrestling Hinokuni, Naito defeated IWGP Intercontinental ChampionMinoru Suzuki to win the title for a second time. After a 5-man tag match against Suzuki-gun atWrestling Dontaku, Naito was again attacked by Jericho, setting up their anticipated match atDominion. On June 9, 2018, at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, Jericho defeated Naito to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship ending Naito's reign at 41 days with 0 successful defenses.[117] The following month, Naito took part in the2018 G1 Climax, where he finished fourth in his block with a record of six wins and three losses.[118] AtDestruction in Beppu, Naito once again defeated Suzuki in a singles match.[119] AtPower Struggle, Naito first defeatedZack Sabre Jr., and then saved his stablemate Evil from an ambush by Jericho. Their rematch was set onWrestle Kingdom 13.
At the event, Naito defeated Jericho to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the third time.[120] At New Year Dash,Suzuki-gun attackedLos Ingobernables de Japón andTaichi challenged Naito to a match for the title. At The New Beginning in Sapporo, Naito retained his title.[121] Naito was announced to take part in2019 New Japan Cup and facedKota Ibushi in the first round, but lost. This led to a title match atG1 Supercard, where Naito was defeated by Ibushi. AtDominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, Naito regained the IWGP Intercontinental Championship from Ibushi.
Naito participated in the2019 G1 Climax, in which he finished second, with a 5–4 record, losing in the final match of the B block to the man who would go on to win the block,Jay White. Naito's loss to White led to a match between them atDestruction in Kobe, in which Naito lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in the night's main event. AtPower Struggle, Naito came out to confront Jay White and propose a match between them atWrestle Kingdom 14 for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, also expressing his desire to be the first man to hold both the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the same time. White proceeded to call out both IWGP Heavyweight ChampionKazuchika Okada, and G1 Climax 29 winnerKota Ibushi. During a heated argument; Ibushi, Naito, and White conveyed their wish to be the first "Dual Champion", while Okada said that he only cared about the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.[122] A vote was set up for fans, where they decided for a match for both championships at Wrestle Kingdom 14, which was dubbed the "Double Gold Dash".[123] During the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 4, 2020, Naito defeated White to win the Intercontinental Championship, before going on to defeat Okada the following night to win the Heavyweight Championship, becoming the first person to hold both championships simultaneously.[124][125] After the match, whilst attempting to close out the show with his signature roll-call, Naito was attacked byKenta.[126] A match between Naito and Kenta was set up forThe New Beginning in Osaka where both championships would be defended; Naito emerged as the victor.[127]
On July 11, Naito came down to the ring to celebrate Evil'sNew Japan Cup win but would instead be attacked by his stablemate. Evil was eventually joined by members ofBullet Club, establishing himself as a heel and defecting fromLos Ingobernables de Japón.[128][129] AtDominion in Osaka-jo Hall on July 12, Naito lost both championships to Evil, ending his reigns at 188 and 189 days respectively.[130] However, Naito would win back both titles atSummer Struggle in Jingu, making him a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a record six-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion.[131] From September to October, Naito competed in the2020 G1 Climax in the B Block, but did not win, and finished with 12 points (six wins and three losses).[132] AtPower Struggle on November 7, Naito defeated Evil once again to retain the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships.[133] During the first night ofWrestle Kingdom 15 on January 4, 2021, Naito lost the championships to Ibushi, thus ending both his reigns at 128 days and with one title defense.[134] AtCastle Attack on February 28, Naito faced Ibushi for the Intercontinental Championship, but was defeated.[135]
On July 11, 2021, atSummer Struggle in Sapporo, Naito teamed up withLos Ingobernables de Japón stablesmateSanada and defeatedDangerous Tekkers (Taichi andZack Sabre Jr.) to win theIWGP Tag Team Championship, marking Naito's first tag title reign sinceNo Limit held the title in 2010.[136] However, they lost the titles atWrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome back to Dangerous Tekkers, ending their reign at just 14 days.[137] Naito returned to singles competition in September, where he competed in theG1 Climax 30 tournament. However, in his opening match against Sabre, which he lost, Naito suffered a knee injury and was forced to forfeit the tournament.[138] Naito returned two months later, to team with Sanada once again in theWorld Tag League, the team finished with 16 points, but losses to Dangerous Tekkers and Evil and Yujiro Takahashi, who also finished with 16 points, stopped them advancing to the finals.[139] AtWrestle Kingdom 16, L.I.J. lost toUnited Empire in a six-man tag-team match on Night 1, however Naito defeatedJeff Cobb on Night 2.[140][141] On Night 3, L.I.J. defeatedPro Wrestling Noah'sKongo (Katsuhiko Nakajima,Manabu Soya,Tadasuke,Alejandro andKenoh).[142]
Naito was the first challenger for Okada's newly won IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated at NJPW New Years Golden Series[143] Naito competed in theNew Japan Cup in March, defeating the likes of Cobb andHiroshi Tanahashi to make it to the semi-finals.[144] In the semi-finals Naito defeated Okada to advance to the finals, where he was defeated by Sabre.[145] Naito received another World Championship match atWrestling Dontaku, but was once again defeated by Okada.[146] AlsoDominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall, Naito was announced to be a part of theG1 Climax 32 tournament in July, where he would compete in the C Block.[147] He finished with 8 points, defeating Sabre on the final block match day to advance to the semi-finals.[148] In the semi-finals, Naito lost to D Block winnerWill Ospreay ending his G1 campaign.[149] From November 22 until December 14, Naito and Sanada took part in the 2022 World Tag League finishing the tournament with a record of seven wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament.[150]
On January 4, 2023, Naito teamed with stablemates, Bushi and Sanada, losing to Tanahashi,Shota Umino andKeiji Muto, in Muto's final NJPW match ahead of his upcoming retirement.[151] On the second night of the event on January 21, L.I.J. competed in a series of matches, where L.I.J. members took on members of the Kongo stable of Pro Wrestling Noah. In the show's main event, Naito defeated Kongo's leader Kenoh, winning the L.I.J. vs. Kongo series 3–2 and the NJPW vs. Noah series 5–4. After the match, Naito was approached by Muto, who challenged him to be his final opponent in his retirement match atKeiji Muto Grand Final Pro-Wrestling "Last" Love, which Naito accepted.[152] A month later on February 21 at the event, Naito defeated Muto.[153]
In March, Naito participated in the 2023New Japan Cup. He defeatedEl Phantasmo andChase Owens in his first two matches.[154][155] After being knocked out in the quarterfinal bySanada on March 17, he was approached by Taichi, accompanied by the rest of his Just 4 Guys stable, as Sanada leftLos Ingobernables de Japón to join the stable, now namedJust 5 Guys.[156][157]
In July, Naito entered the annualG1 Climax tournament, where he was placed into the D Block.[158] Naito finished joint top of his block with 10 points, thus advancing him to the quarterfinal round.[159] In the quarterfinals, Naito defeatedHikuleo to advance in the tournament.[160] In the semi-final round, Naito defeatedWill Ospreay.[160] On August 13, Naito won the tournament, defeatingKazuchika Okada in the finals. This was his third G1 Climax victory, and earnt him a future IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match atWrestle Kingdom 18.[161] The following day, during a press conference, instead of receiving a briefcase containing a contract for a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom, Naito was automatically inserted into the main event at the Tokyo Dome, instead of defending is title shot, a tradition that was broke by Okada the previous year. This led to Naito, questioning the point of wrestling with no stakes, threatening to "lie down in five seconds", whileJeff Cobb rightfully asserted his claim to challenge Naito for his title match. This controversy resulted in Naito sarcastically handmaking a Tokyo Dome 'contract' and a 'briefcase' to put it in, which led to NJPW announcing that Naito would defend his contract atDestruction in Kobe. At the event, Naito successfully defended his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship number one contender's contract against Cobb.[162] The following month atDestruction in Ryōgoku, following a successful title defence against Evil, Naito confronted former teammate and IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Sanada who was now confirmed to be his Wrestle Kingdom opponent.[163]
On January 4, 2024, at Wrestle Kingdom, Naito defeated Sanada in the main event to win his first IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and end Sanada's record 271-day reign.[164] After a brief interruption byHouse of Torture being fought off by Sanada, Naito managed to fulfill his childhood dream and closed the show with his signature roll-call, after being cut off by KENTA four years prior, with Sanada requesting a rematch between the two.[165] On night 2 ofThe New Beginning in Sapporo, Naito retained the title against Sanada in a rematch. AtSakura Genesis, Naito successfully defended his title against2024 New Japan Cup winner and stablemateYota Tsuji. After the match, he would be confronted byJon Moxley, who challenged Naito forWindy City Riot. At Windy City Riot, Naito lost the championship to Moxley, ending his reign at 99 days.[166] AtDominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, Naito defeated Callum Newman. Later in the show, Naito confronted Moxley and challenged him to a rematch for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship atForbidden Door, which Moxley accepted.[167] At Forbidden Door, Naito defeated Moxley to regain the championship.[168] From July 20 and August 12, Naito took part in the2024 G1 Climax finishing the tournament with a record of five wins and four losses, with a loss toGreat-O-Khan on the final day of the tournament caused him to miss advancing to the play-off match of the tournament narrowly.[169] On October 14 atKing of Pro-Wrestling, Naito lost the title to G1 Climax winnerZack Sabre Jr., ending his second reign at 106 days.[170]
For the2024 World Tag League, Naito teamed with fellow L.I.J memberHiromu Takahashi, where they were placed in B-Block. The duo finished at the top of their block with 10 points and went on to defeatBullet Club War Dogs'Gabe Kidd and Sanada in the grand finals. However, due to theIWGP Tag Team Championships being vacant at the time, Naito and Takahashi decided to face each other atWrestle Kingdom 19 in a singles match instead.[171] At Wrestle Kingdom 19, Naito defeated Takahashi.[172] The following night atWrestle Dynasty, Naito and Takahashi failed to win the tag titles in athree-way tag team match, which was won byThe Young Bucks.[173] On February 11 atThe New Beginning in Osaka, Naito and Takahashi defeated The Young Bucks to win the IWGP Tag Team Championships.[174] On April 4 atSakura Genesis, they lost the titles toCallum Newman andJeff Cobb.[175] On April 16, it was announced that Naito would not be renewing his contract and would be leaving NJPW after fulfilling his dates at theWrestling Dontaku series the next month.[176] Naito's final match as an NJPW talent took place atWrestling Dontaku: Night 2 on May 4 where he teamed with Bushi, Shingo Takagi, and Hiromu Takahashi to defeatShota Umino,Tomohiro Ishii and Just 4 Guys' Taichi and Taka Michinoku.[177][178]
On the June 24, 2023 episode ofAEW Collision, Naito made his debut forAll Elite Wrestling (AEW), after being revealed asDarby Allin andSting's mystery partner atForbidden Door against Le Suzuki Gods (Chris Jericho,Sammy Guevara andMinoru Suzuki).[179] At the event, Naito won the match for his team, scoring the pin on Suzuki, following assistance from Sting. Afterwards, Jericho attempted a post-match beatdown on Naito, referencing their recurring feud from 2018, but backed off once Sting made the save.[180]
On the June 26, 2024 episode ofAEW Dynamite, Naito returned to AEW, where he brawled with Jon Moxley ahead of their match at Forbidden Door.[181]
On July 25, 2025, Naito and Bushi made their first post-NJPW appearance atRevolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro)'s event Summer Sizzler asLos Tranquilos de Japon, where they defeated Kieron Lacey and Mark Trew.[182]
Naito is a fan of theHiroshima Toyo Carp baseball team and has throughout his career wrestled in red, which is the team's main color, and the team's fans have been known to sing his wrestling theme song as a chant for Hiroshima.[185] Having been born in Tokyo, Naito originally supported the localYomiuri Giants, but switched teams in the 1990s followingTatsunori Hara's retirement.[186] In 2017, Naito collaborated with Hiroshima Toyo Carp for a shirt.[187]
Naito's signature taunt, where he widens his eye with his thumb and index finger, is known as "Abre los Ojos" ("Open Your Eyes").[188] Naito came up with the taunt in 2009 during his Mexican excursion, where local fans hurled racially-charged taunts at him for his narrow eyes.[189] The taunt has since also been used by, among others, baseball playerShinnosuke Ogasawara andYuki Kashiwagi of idol groupAKB48.[190][191]
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naito (hair) | Toscano (hair) | Mexico City, Mexico | Infierno en el Ring (2009) | July 31, 2009 | [Note 1][12] |
| El Texano Jr. andEl Terrible (hair) | No Limit (Yujiro and Naito) (hair) | Mexico City, Mexico | Sin Salida | December 4, 2009 | [15] |
,Wrestlingdata,Internet Wrestling Database
