Takaaki Watanabe

Born: 1987-01-26

Birthplace: Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Biography

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.