WWE Made Last-Minute Change to EVIL’s Name Before NXT Reveal

WWE apparently made a sudden change to the former EVIL’s new identity just days before officially revealing it on NXT.

After weeks of speculation following his debut on the April 28 episode of WWE NXT, WWE finally unveiled the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion’s new ring name during the May 5 edition of the show: Naraku.

The vignette featured the former NJPW star once again making it clear he’s targeting the NXT Championship, while WWE officially presented “Naraku” as his new identity moving forward.

But according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, that may not have been the original plan at all. Sapp revealed that internal WWE materials were still using the previously trademarked “Nox Raijin” name as recently as just days before the reveal.

“There were internal materials for EVIL with the trademarked Nox Raijin name as recently as Sunday, so it seems like the name adjustment was recent.”

That’s notable because WWE had already filed a trademark for “Nox Raijin” on April 28, immediately fueling speculation that it would become the former EVIL’s permanent WWE name. Instead, the company pivoted to Naraku. And unlike Nox Raijin, the new name carries a direct thematic connection to the character WWE appears to be building.

“Naraku” translates to “hell” in Japanese, while the term also refers to the underground passageway beneath the stage in traditional Japanese theater — something that lines up closely with the darker presentation already attached to the former House of Torture leader.

By comparison, “Raijin” — the other name WWE trademarked — references the Japanese god of thunder and lightning. That means WWE seemingly shifted directions creatively very late in the process, despite already having trademarks and internal branding tied to Nox Raijin.

So, WWE clearly had a full repackaging planned for EVIL from the start, but the company appears to have changed course at the last second before officially introducing him to NXT audiences as Naraku.

Do you think Naraku is a stronger WWE identity than Nox Raijin, or should WWE have just kept the EVIL name altogether? Let us know your thoughts.