Posts Tagged ‘Hikuleo’

Bloodline Expansion: Hikuleo Set to Extend Its Reach to WWE NXT

After an impressive run with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), former Strong Openweight Champion Hikuleo, who stands an imposing 6 feet 8 inches tall, signed with WWE in July 2024. At 33 years old, Hikuleo brings both size and experience to the roster, adding another talent with ties to the famed Anoa’i wrestling family. Fans have been eager to see how Hikuleo will be integrated into WWE, and new reports suggest that his journey will begin in NXT.

According to PWInsider Elite, Hikuleo has been added to WWE’s internal NXT roster, though the exact timing of his in-ring debut remains unclear. His last match was at NJPW’s Dominion event in June 2024, where he participated in a four-way elimination tag-team match.

Given Hikuleo’s strong familial connections, many speculated that he might bypass NXT entirely and debut directly on the main roster as part of the ongoing Bloodline storyline. As the brother of Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, Hikuleo is a natural fit for the group’s angle, which has seen Solo Sikoa’s faction clash with Roman Reigns. Both of Hikuleo’s brothers, as well as Jacob Fatu, skipped the NXT developmental process. However, it appears that won’t be the case for Hikuleo.

WWE seems to have different plans, opting for Hikuleo to further develop his skills in NXT before positioning him as a main roster talent. This strategic move comes at a pivotal time, as NXT is set to move to The CW next week. Hikuleo’s arrival, with his towering presence and Bloodline ties, is expected to provide a significant boost of star power to the developmental brand. His presence could help mark a new era for NXT on its new network.

With all this in mind, wrestling fans should stay on high alert for Hikuleo’s arrival in NXT sooner rather than later.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Hikuleo and The Bloodline.

Hikuleo: Everything You Need To Know On Reported WWE Signing

It has been reported that Hikuleo has signed with WWE after finishing his time with New Japan Pro Wrestling earlier this year, but what do you need to know about him?

Fightful Select broke the news that Hikuelo has signed with WWE and multiple sources have confirmed. The adoptive son of Tonga Fifita (aka Meng/Haku) Hikuelo is the brother of Tama Tonga and the adoptive brother of Tonga Loa and his arrival in WWE has been expected for some time now.

Early Career

Hikuelo’s wrestling journey began in 2016, when, after training in the Team 3D Academy in Florida, he became a student at the NJPW Dojo. The Hikuleo name comes from Hikule’o, a Tongan God, and he made his in-ring debut on November 12 in Auckland, New Zealand.

NJPW – The Bullet Club

After completing his training, Hikuleo joined the NJPW roster fill time in 2017 and joined the Bullet Club alongside his brothers and his cousin Bad Luck Fale. Unfortunately, an injury in March 2018 derailed his plans and he wouldn’t appear for NJPW until FFebruary 2019 at Honor Rising: Japan.

NJPW – Guerillas of Destiny

After his brothers were kicked out of the Bullet Club by Jay White, Hikuleo began a feud with the faction’s leader and lost to the Switchblade at the Mutiny show in April 2022. He would later align fully with GoD and defeated White in a ‘Loser Leaves Japan’ match in February 2023. Two months later, Hikuleo captured the Strong Opeweight Championship, his first title in New Japan, but lost the gold back to Kenta weeks later. At Wrestle Kingdom 18, Hikuleo and Phantasmo won the IWGP World Tag Titles but lost the gold

Outside New Japan

Hikuleo was in the crowd of AEW Fyter Fest Night 2 in July 2021 where he watched the IWGP U.S. title match between Jon Moxley and Lance Archer. After slapping the victorious Archer after the match, Hikuleo challenged him at Fight for the Fallen but was defeated. He returned to AEW in June 2022 to team with the Young Bucks and reDRagon to win a ten-man tag-team match.

In 2021, Hikuleo also appeared in Impact Wrestling and established himself as part of a U.S. branch of the Bullet Club alongside Chris Bey, and El Phantasmo. He and Bey would challenge for the Impact World Tag Team Titles at that year’s Bound for Glory and Turning Point events but failed to win the gold from the Good Brothers.

Now, Hikuleo’s journey has taken him to WWE where his brothers are already headlining SmackDown as part of the Bloodline. With Hikuleo by his side, Solo Sikoa could grow even more dominant on SmackDown which could certainly spell disaster for Cody Rhodes.

Update on Hikuleo’s NJPW Contract, Potential Jump to WWE

Hikuleo, the 6-foot-8 inch son of wrestling legend Haku, will soon finish up with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). The big man’s deal expires June according to Fightful, and we have reason to believe he’ll soon follow his brother Tama Tonga to WWE.

Hikuleo 33 years old and has been wrestling for NJPW since 2016. You may have also seen him in AEW and TNA. He and Tama negotiated with WWE in late 2023. This was around the time of Vince McMahon’s ill-fated return to the company’s board of directors, which halted a handful of potential signings.

Tama made a surprise debut on Friday’s WWE SmackDown, the first episode following last weekend’s WrestleMania 40 premium live event. In a shocking development, he attacked Jimmy Uso and joined forces with the new and improved Bloodline. Tama Tonga signing with WWE, these new details about Hikuleo and the buzz surrounding Jacob Fatu’s next move indicate we’re in for an exciting few months ahead.

Meanwhile, Hikuleo’s tag team partner El Phantasmo, may also be free to wrestle else. His NJPW contract was set to expire in January. He continues to wrestle for the company (including at Friday’s NJPW Windy City Riot event) but we’ve been unable to get confirmation that he’s currently working on anything beyond a per-appearance deal.

The New Beginning in Osaka Results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Shingo Takagi, Loser Leaves Japan Match

New Japan Pro Wrestling held its event The New Beginning in Osaka, on Feb. 11 at the Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan.

The event had the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada defend his title against Shingo Takagi. Okada’s match also marks the first title defense of his current reign. Another match on the card will have Jay White against Hikuleo in a Loser Leaves Japan match. Both wrestlers are rumored to be leaving NJPW, with the possibility of entering free agency.

The New Beginning in Osaka aired live on NJPW World. Fans can watch the event on video on demand by subscribing to NJPW World for $9.99.

If you would like more results for this week’s events in wrestling, please check back on our results section.

Highlights from The New Beginning In Osaka

Lio Rush Challenges Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

Hikuleo def. Jay White in Loser Leaves Japan Match

(C) Tama Tonga def. El Phantasmo- Never Openweight Championship match

(C) Kazuchika Okada def. Shingo Takagi- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match

The New Beginning In Osaka Results

  1. Aaron Henare & Great O Khan def. Oscar Loiwe & Toru Yano
  2. Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Sanada & Tetsuya Naito def. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask, Shota Unno & Tomoaki Homma
  3. Taiji Ishimori def. Master Wato
  4. Hiroshi Tanahashi def. KENTA
  5. Ren Narita, El Desperado & Minoru Suzuki def. (C) SHO, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL- Never Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship match
  6. Hikuleo def. Jay White- Loser Leaves Japan match
  7. (C) Tama Tonga def. El Phantasmo- Never Openweight Championship match
  8. (C) Kazuchika Okada def. Shingo Takagi- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match

Main Event For Saturday Debut Of NJPW Strong Announced

NJPW Strong is making the jump to Saturday nights and the Sept. 18 card has been revealed.

Strong had been airing every Friday night at 10 p.m. ET. Since AEW Rampage has taken that night and time slot, NJPW responded by moving the show to Saturday nights at 8 p.m. ET. The move takes effect on Sept. 18.

NJPW has announced that headlining the show will be a tables match between Juice Robinson and Hikuleo.

“Headlining this Saturday is a first for not just NJPW STRONG, but New Japan in general. A tables match will see Juice Robinson go up against Hikuleo, wherein the only way to win is to send your opponent through a table with an offensive maneuver.

Juice and Hikuleo’s issues stretch back one month to before Resurgence. There Hikuleo, upset at being snubbed in the Resurgence lineup, issued an open challenge that Robinson responded to. n ring at the LA Coliseum, Hikuleo’s power was undeniable as he set to work on Juice, but Robinson’s veteran instincts were enough for him to score a flash pinfall victory.

That wasn’t a loss Hikuleo took well, and a post-match chokeslam was delivered as a parting shot. Yet Hikuleo hasn’t let go of this issue with Juice, driving him through a table backstage on STRONG, and then following Robinson to IMPACT, where he joined Chris Bey in a devastating steel chair assault this week. Now the two meet in their most violent encounter yet; who will survive?”

Here’s a look at the Sept. 18 NJPW Strong card.

Juice Robinson vs. Hikuleo – Tables Match
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Karl Fredericks, and Clark Connors vs. Stray Dog Army
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Alex Coughlin

Impact Results (9/9): More Bullet Club Members Walk Through Forbidden Door

Impact Wrestling on September 9th featured the continued build to Victory Road and another Bullet Club member walking through the forbidden door. Much of this show also involved Christian Cage and Ace Austin putting together teams for a big multi-person tag match next week.

Impact 9/9 Quick Results:

  1. Rosemary defeated Tasha Steelz
  2. Bunkhouse Brawl
    Karl Anderson defeated Rich Swann
  3. David Finlay defeated Chris Bey
  4. Steve Maclin defeated Petey Williams
  5. Moose defeated Eddie Edwards

Tasha Steelz and Savannah Evans Steal KO Tag Title Belts

Decay’s Rosemary picked up a win in the night’s opening contest against Tasha Steelz. Things seemed even between the two but then Rosemary caught Steelz coming out of the corner with a spear and picked up the win.

As Decay was celebrating, Savannah Evans hit the ring and distracted Rosemary and Havok. This allowed Steelz to grab the Knockouts tag title belts as Evans attacked Decay. Steelz and Evans hurried away with the title belts with Decay in pursuit to end the segment.

Karl Anderson Needs Doc Gallows’ Help To Beat Rich Swann

Rich Swann was without his tag partner Willie Mack at ringside this week, and that was the difference here. Mack is on the shelf with an injury after The Good Brothers put him through a table recently. This meant that Swann had nobody in his corner for this Bunkhouse brawl against Karl Anderson. It would be the numbers advantage that would allow Anderson to pick up the win.

The finish of the match saw Swann go to the top rope, possibly to go for his Phoenix Splash while Anderson was on top of a table. Gallows got involved, however, and grabbed Swann’s leg. This allowed Anderson to recover and deliver a top rope Gun Stun to Swann onto a table (that didn’t break) for the win.

Bullet Club’s HIKULEO Walks Through The Forbidden Door

David Finlay picked up a measure of revenge on Bullet Club this week. He scored a pin on Chris Bey moments after Juice Robinson thwarted Bey’s attempt to use the ropes for leverage on a pin attempt of his own. The real action came after the match, however.

As FinJuice was celebrating their win, Bullet Club’s HIKULEO hit the ring and attacked. Bey and HIKULEO wrapped Juice’s injured knee in a chair and stomped on it. Bullet Club then celebrated in the ring to end the segment.

Gambling Scandal Costs Petey Williams Match Against Steve Maclin

Sadly, an underground gambling operation backstage in Impact has reared its ugly head. Backstage this week in Swinger’s Casino, TJP placed a bet on Steve Maclin in his match this week against Petey Williams. Then during the match, TJP led a conga line with Fallah Bah and No Way to the ring just as Williams was going for the Canadian Destroyer. This distracted Williams and allowed Maclin to hit his finisher for the win.

Moose Defeats Eddie Edwards With Help From W. Morrissey

Moose and W. Morrissey have aligned in Impact and have targeted Eddie Edwards and Sami Callihan. Edwards could have used Callihan’s help in this match as Morrissey’s interference on the outside allowed Moose to gain the advantage. He eventually put Edwards away with a spear. A melee after the match would eventually force Callihan to come to Edwards’ rescue, however.

Eddie Edwards and Sami Callihan’s Uneasy Alliance

After the match, a huge melee took place featuring the wrestlers scheduled for the 10-man tag match on next week’s show. Chris Sabin came out to make the save but was thwarted by Brian Myers and his “professionals.” Josh Alexander then came out to fight them off but he was then attacked by Ace Austin and Madman Fulton. Christian Cage then came out to take on Fulton and Austin. Edwards came in to help Cage with the numbers advantage but then Moose and Morrissey rejoined the fight and attacked him. This led to Alisha Edwards coming out with a kendo stick to try and help but was not overly effective at this. Morrissey was ready to pick her up for a choke slam when the lights went out. When the lights came back on, Sami Callihan was in the ring with two baseball bats. He gave one to Edwards and the two of them fought off the heels. Cage then played peace-broker between the two longtime rivals turned uneasy partners as the show came to a close.

Coming Up In Impact Wrestling

Much of this week’s episode featured Ace Austin and Christian Cage recruiting team members for a big multi-person tag match next week.

Next Week:

  • Ace Austin, Madman Fulton, Brian Myers, Moose & W. Morrissey vs Christian Cage, Josh Alexander, Chris Sabin, & TBA

Victory Road (September 18th)

  • Impact World Championship
    Christian Cage (c) vs Ace Austin
  • X-Division Championship
    Josh Alexander (c) vs Chris Sabin
  • Knockouts Tag Team Championships
    Decay (Rosemary & Havok) vs Tasha Steelz & Savannah Evans
  • Chris Bey & Hikuleo vs FinJuice (David Finlay & Juice Robinson)
  • Moose & W. Morrissey vs. Eddie Edwards & Sami Callihan

NJPW Resurgence Quick Results: New Champion Crowned

NJPW Resurgence is in the books.

Earlier tonight (Aug. 14), NJPW Resurgence emanated from The Torch at LA Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The main event saw IWGP United States Champion Lance Archer put his gold up for grabs against Hiroshi Tanahashi. In the co-headliner, Jay White defended the NEVER Openweight gold against David Finlay.

Resurgence also saw a surprise appearance from former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay. He revealed that he has been medically cleared to compete but he will not be participating in the G1 Climax due to issues with NJPW brass.

We also got an appearance from Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. The two confronted Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson after their match against Jon Moxley and Yuji Nagata. After a back-and-forth verbal exchange, the Good Brothers left the ring.

Here are quick results for NJPW Resurgence.

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Lance Archer – For IWGP United States Championship
  • Jay White (c) def. David Finlay
  • Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson def. Jon Moxley & Yuji Nagata
  • Tomohiro Ishii def. Moose
  • Juice Robinson def. Hikuleo
  • Lio Rush, Adrian Quest, Chris Dickinson, Fred Yehi & Yuya Uemura def. Tom Lawlor, JR
  • Kratos, Jorel Nelson, Royce Issacs & Danny Limelight
  • Ren Narita, Clark Connors & TJP def. Rocky Romero, Fred Rosser & Wheeler Yuta
  • Karl Fredericks def. Alex Coughlin