Real Reason Tama Tonga Is Leaving NJPW

Tama Tonga announced his decision to leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling literally minutes after winning the NEVER Openweight Championship for a fourth time at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4, with Tama departing the promotion after letting his contract expire.

After dropping the title to EVIL on January 24 as part of NJPW’s New Beginning tour Tama has officially left the company, with WWE believed to be interested in the former Bullet Club member. During a conversation on the NJPW Midnight Wrestle & Kingdom podcast, Tama revealed further why now is the right time for him to leave NJPW:

“You know, I came here for the G1 for one month and I went home and my kids grew up too fast. I missed their birthdays, I miss so many things and as I’m getting older, I don’t wanna miss my kids growing up. I love Japan, but I love my wife and my kids and I wanna be there. I wanna be a part of their life growing up,” said Tama Tonga.

A seven-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, Tama Tonga joined NJPW in 2010, and was a founding member of Bullet Club, establishing the villainous group alongside Karl Anderson, Prince Devitt, and Doc Gallows in May 2013. If Tama Tonga does eventually join WWE, it’ll be interesting to see if he resumes partnership with any of the three men.

H/T: POST Wrestling