Well, folks, we have a new player entering the WWE ring, and it’s not just any player—it’s a whole new level of wrestling royalty. Hold onto your championship belts because Cody Rhodes is about to have one more reason to watch his back on Friday nights.
In a jaw-dropping turn of events that no one saw coming (except everyone who reads wrestling news), former NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Hikuleo has officially signed with WWE. Yes, you heard that right! The Bloodline is expanding faster than your waistline during the holidays. Move over, Solo Sikoa; there’s a new bloodline brother in town, and he’s ready to shake things up on SmackDown.
Reports from Bodyslam in June hinted that Hikuleo was wrapping up his New Japan Pro-Wrestling career, and now Fightful Select has confirmed with WWE sources that the deal is done. Hikuleo, known for his towering presence and unbeatable tag team skills, is expected to join forces with his brother, Tama Tonga, and their adopted sibling, Tanga Loa. These three previously wreaked havoc in NJPW as the Guerrillas of Destiny stable, and now they’re set to bring that same chaos to WWE.
But don’t pack your bags for SmackDown just yet—there’s no confirmed start date for Hikuleo. WWE seems to enjoy making us wait, just like they did with Jacob Fatu, who was signed for months before finally making his debut. Word on the street is that WWE has had their eyes on Hikuleo since January 2023, but an informal hiring freeze extended his NJPW tenure by another year.
Hikuleo’s resume is no joke. In addition to his STRONG Openweight Champion title, he’s also a former STRONG Openweight Tag Team Champion and IWGP Tag Team Champion alongside El Phantasmo. Oh, and did we mention he’s the adopted son of former WWE star Haku? That’s right, folks; wrestling greatness runs deep in this family.
Cody Rhodes, you might want to invest in some rearview mirrors because the Bloodline just got a whole lot stronger.