The mystery surrounding EVIL’s WWE ring name has been solved.
According to Fightful Select, the trademark filed on April 28 for Nox Raijin is indeed for EVIL, confirming that the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion will compete under that name in WWE. The filing was made on the same day as his NXT debut, when he confronted NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo on the April 28 episode of NXT on The CW.
Fightful Select also reports that EVIL is currently listed on WWE’s internal roster under his real name, Takaaki Watanabe. Commentator Vic Joseph did not refer to him by name during the debut segment, instead using the word evil as a play on words rather than a direct character introduction.
The name Nox Raijin blends Latin and Japanese mythology. Nox is the Roman goddess of night while Raijin is the Japanese god of thunder and lightning, suggesting a character built around darkness and power.
EVIL spent 14 years with NJPW before his contract expired in January 2026. During that time, he rose to being a top star through factions including Los Ingobernables de Japon and Bullet Club, winning the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships simultaneously in 2020. He is the partner of WWE’s IYO SKY. Bodyslam had previously reported that his WWE debut was imminent, with EVIL having requested to begin his WWE run in NXT rather than being placed directly on the main roster.
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