WWE fans had plenty to celebrate on May 18, 2026, when former Women’s World Champion IYO SKY announced on social media that she had married fellow WWE superstar Naraku — formerly known as EVIL in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The announcement melted the internet, and for good reason.
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IYO SKY The Announcement That Broke Wrestling Twitter
IYO SKY (real name: Masami Odate) shared the news via her X (formerly Twitter) handle, posting a wedding photo alongside a heartfelt statement in Japanese. Translated by Fightful, the couple wrote:
“We began our professional wrestling careers in Japan, each seeing different landscapes and ‘skies,’ but starting this early summer, we feel a deep sense of connection and joy at becoming colleagues and comrades as we take on the same stage — WWE.”
The message was equal parts romantic and deeply personal, acknowledging the loneliness of building a career abroad and the strength that comes from sharing the journey with a partner.
Who Is Naraku (Formerly EVIL)?
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Takaaki Watanabe |
| Ring Name | Naraku (fka EVIL) |
| Former Promotion | NJPW |
| NJPW Titles Held | IWGP Heavyweight Championship (among others) |
| US Appearances | Ring of Honor (2014–15), Global Force Wrestling |
| WWE Debut | May 12, 2026 — NXT |
| First WWE Match | Defeated Lince Dorado on NXT |
Like many international signings, Watanabe debuted under a new persona — Naraku — upon joining WWE. His NXT debut was on the May 12 edition, just days before the wedding announcement, making the timing all the more significant.
Why They Chose to Go Public Now?
The couple had long kept their relationship private, with occasional reports of engagement and even rumoured separation floating around online. So why go public now?
IYO SKY explained it clearly in an interview with Model Press:
“We haven’t actually registered our marriage yet… Now that we’re both members of WWE and are colleagues in the ring, or rather, in the same company, I thought it would be great if everyone could find out that we’ve become husband and wife.”
Naraku added that he had only just started his WWE journey, while IYO — the senior of the two in the company — spoke candidly about how isolating the life of a foreign wrestler in America can be:
“It’s really, really tough to be on the front lines against the world in a foreign country… I’m so happy that my husband and I are in an environment where we can support each other.”
WWE’s First Japanese Married Couple
This milestone isn’t just personal — it’s historic. IYO SKY and Naraku are the first Japanese married couple to be active WWE superstars simultaneously, a fact that has added extra weight to an already emotional announcement.
IYO Sky is no stranger to WWE storylines and championship reigns, having held the Women’s World Championship. Naraku is just getting started, but with his NJPW pedigree — including multiple heavyweight title reigns — his ceiling in WWE is sky-high.
The wrestling world is watching this power couple closely, and if their careers are anything like their love story, the best chapters are still ahead.
FAQs
Q: Who is IYO SKY married to?
IYO SKY (real name Masami Odate) is married to WWE’s Naraku, formerly known as EVIL in NJPW, real name Takaaki Watanabe — announced publicly on May 18, 2026.
Q: Have IYO SKY and Naraku officially registered their marriage?
As of the announcement, the couple had not yet officially registered their marriage, but they chose to go public due to both now being active WWE superstars in the same company.
