A new name — and a new presence — is set to step into the ring on the May 12 episode of WWE NXT, as Naraku’s in-ring debut has now been officially confirmed.
The reveal follows a series of recent appearances that hinted at something bigger on the horizon.
Now, the wait has a date — and it may come with consequences for the top of the NXT card.
Naraku targets WWE NXT championship ahead of official in-ring debut
Naraku, formerly known as EVIL, made his first impression on the April 28 episode of NXT. He made an impression when he confronted Tony D’Angelo. The encounter immediately positioned him as a potential challenger, setting the tone before he had even wrestled a match.
On the May 5 episode, a vignette confirmed both his new ring name and his next step. Speaking in the segment, Naraku reflected on his accolades and laid out his intentions moving forward. He stated that he had defeated many opponents in Japan and captured championships, but added that “a warrior’s spirit is never satisfied.”
He then turned his attention directly to NXT. Naraku called it a land of opportunity and signaled that a clash with D’Angelo for the NXT Championship is part of his plans. The message was clear — he isn’t here to warm up, he’s here to move up.
The name change itself marks a shift from earlier reports, which suggested a different identity might be used. Instead, WWE has opted for Naraku, a name often translated as “hell,” giving his character a darker edge from the outset.
Naraku last competed in January during New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Road to the New Beginning tour before wrapping up with the company. His arrival in NXT comes at a time when the brand is seeing fresh challengers emerge around the title picture.
With his debut now locked in, all eyes turn to May 12.
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