:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48635467/tziGMLiXJcyofFGKbnAfGr7cfn_2B4TKLLZpWdylI8ob5hDxYYYMsSwjQgBy73XXJgswsawYWwzAjzIVCR1BYx_2Bg__.0.0.jpg)
At a Monday, January 25 press conference in Tokyo, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and Shinsuke Nakamura officially announced they're parting ways.
The move has been rumored since hours after Wrestle Kingdom 10 went off the air. At that pay-per-view (PPV) Nakamura defeated AJ Styles, who debuted in WWE Sunday, January 24, to retain his IWGP Intercontinental title. That belt was stripped off him a little more than two weeks ago in anticipation of this move.
He did not mention WWE by name, but spoke of having been in a rut for a few years now, and the this being the time for him to take on a big challenge. Nakamura has viewed his role in NJPW as helping younger talent, and with that goal accomplished, he's on to something else.
Swagsuke will reportedly fly to the United States for final medical testing and orientation with WWE in early February. He has two farewell dates remaining with New Japan on January 29 and 30.