WWE Has Their Eye On Signing Longtime NJPW Star

WWE’s relationship with NJPW seems to have improved under the new regime, with WWE even allowing Karl Anderson to wrestle at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. New Japan is synonymous with producing some of the most spectacular talents in the world of professional wrestling.

Hence, it should come as no surprise that a company as big as WWE wouldn’t be interested in signing any Japanese talent, especially under the new regime. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select is now reporting that WWE is reportedly interested in a longtime NJPW name, Hikuleo.

Fightful Select has learned that higher ups within WWE have expressed interest internally in Hikuleo. Fightful has told that has been the word for “months,” and we actually had heard that even prior to the Wrestle Kingdom show.

The news is pertinent, as Hikuleo is booked in a “loser leaves Japan” match against “Switchblade” Jay White in the immediate future. It’s important to note that we haven’t been told if contact has been made between the two sides or when Hikuleo’s NJPW contract is up. However, we’ve been told that much like with Finn Balor helping bring in Dragon Lee, intermediaries have been used to express interest to the talent themselves in many cases.

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The 31-year old Hikuleo stands 6’8″ and has wrestled for over six years after getting training at Team 3D Academy, the NJPW Dojo and Fale Dojo. He’s made appearances for IMPACT Wrestling and All Elite Wreslting along the way as well. He’s the brother of Tama Tonga, and the nephew of Haku, who adopted him as a son very early on in life.

We’ve not been given any indication that the Loser Leaves Japan match is related to this.

We’ll have to see if WWE lands Haku’s nephew with a deal. It would be another signee in a long line of Samoans. Then again, with Vince McMahon coming back, you never know what will happen next in that company. Stay tuned to Ringside News as we keep you updated on this story as it develops.

What’s your take on this situation? Sound off in the comments!