Photo of Takaaki Watanabe
Acting

Takaaki Watanabe

Profession
Acting
Born
January 26, 1987 · 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.

Known for

WWE NXT poster
WWE NXT
Series · 2010 · ★ 6.7
WWE Main Event poster
WWE Main Event
Series · 2012 · ★ 7.8
NJPW G1 Climax 33: Day 16 poster
NJPW G1 Climax 33: Day 16
Film · 2023
NJPW G1 Climax 33: Day 17 poster
NJPW G1 Climax 33: Day 17
Film · 2023
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 poster
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12
Film · 2018
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 poster
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13
Film · 2019
New Japan Pro Wrestling poster
New Japan Pro Wrestling
Series · 1972
Ring of Honor Wrestling poster
Ring of Honor Wrestling
Series · 2009
NXT The Great American Bash 2026 poster
NXT The Great American Bash 2026
Film · 2026
World Wonder Ring Stardom poster
World Wonder Ring Stardom
Series · 2011
NJPW Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall 2017 poster
NJPW Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall 2017
Film · 2017
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 5 poster
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 5
Film · 2019

Filmography