Takaaki Watanabe
Acting
Takaaki Watanabe is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Naraku. He is best known for his tenure in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) under the ring name EVIL, where he debuted as a Young Lion in 2011 and later became the leader of House of Torture. During his NJPW run, he captured the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships, won the New Japan Cup in 2020, and claimed back-to-back World Tag League victories in 2017 and 2018 with SANADA before leaving the promotion in January 2026. Watanabe debuted in WWE on the April 28, 2026 episode of NXT by confronting NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo before officially adopting the name Naraku. He later made his in-ring debut on May 12, defeating Lince Dorado.
Known for
Acting436
movieNJPW Best Bout Collection Vol 1.
2020
EVIL (archive footage)
movieROH & NJPW: War of the Worlds - Night 2
2015
Takaaki Watanabe
movieROH & NJPW: War of the Worlds - Night 1
2015
Takaaki Watanabe
movieSmash Wrestling Smashapalooza 2014
2014
Takaaki Watanabe
movieROH: Best In The World
2014
Takaaki Watanabe
movieSmash Rival Schools 2014
2014
Takaaki Watanabe
movieROH & NJPW: War of the Worlds
2014
Takaaki Watanabe
movieROH & NJPW: Global Wars
2014
Takaaki Watanabe
movieSmash Wrestling GOLD
2014
Watanabe
movieNJPW King of Pro-Wrestling 2013
2013
Takaaki Watanabe
movieNJPW 40th Anniversary Show
2012
Takaaki Watanabe
tvWWE NXT
2010
Naraku / EVIL
tvRing of Honor Wrestling
2009
Takaaki Watanabe
tvWWE Pay Per View
1985
Naraku