Tetsuya Naito is technically working as a freelancer as he continues to compete for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Tokyo Sports reports Naito's contract with NJPW ended on January 31st. The report notes that NJPW is Naito's number one priority and a fourth round of negotiations are expected to take place soon.
"I haven't decided what I'll do if I quit, but when I was younger I thought 'maybe I'll retire at around 40', and it's true that I can't do things now that I was able to do a few years ago because of my physical decline. I really feel that the time I have left is limited, and rather than continuing with some weird dissatisfaction, I feel like it might be better to just do things the way I want to," Naito told Tokyo Sports. "I'm feeling at ease because I'm saying what I want to say. I haven't decided whether to sign or not, but if I feel like, 'OK, I'll be in the New Japan ring for another year,' I'll sign, but if I have doubts I won't, so I want to cherish how I feel at the time. In short, Tranquilo... don't try to mediate."
Naito is one-half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions alongside Hirumo Takahashi.
Naito & Takahashi are scheduled to defend the titles against Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman at NJPW Sakura Genesis on April 5.
