Summary

EVIL now has a WWE ring name, and his first match under it is already on the schedule. A vignette on the May 5 episode of NXT revealed that the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion will wrestle as Naraku, with his in-ring debut set for the May 12 edition of the show.

That follows EVIL's first WWE appearance on the April 28 episode, when he confronted NXT Champion Tony D'Angelo. Wrestling Remembers previously covered Aaron Wolf reacting to EVIL's WWE debut and possible name change, and Tuesday's segment confirmed the identity WWE will use going forward.

Naraku's first NXT step

The announcement gives WWE a clear next beat for the rollout. Rather than leaving EVIL's arrival as a one-week surprise, NXT has now attached a name and a date to his first match.

Naraku last wrestled in January during New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Road to the New Beginning tour. That run ended before his exit from the company, making the May 12 NXT appearance his first announced match since wrapping up in Japan.

What Naraku means for Tony D'Angelo

Tony D'Angelo was the first champion placed in Naraku's path, so the May 12 debut matters beyond a simple rebrand. Even without a match opponent named in the report, NXT is presenting Naraku as someone tied quickly to the title scene.

For NXT, that raises the stakes around D'Angelo's immediate program. If Naraku's debut continues the direction set by the April 28 confrontation, the brand could be positioning a former top NJPW name as a fast-moving threat near the championship picture.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.