Hikuleo Finally Makes WWE Debut

Hikuleo reportedly signed with WWE all the way back in July of 2024. Many assumed that he’d either surface on NXT, or else join his family members in the new-look Bloodline on the main roster. However, months went by and the former NJPW name was not heard from or seen across any form of WWE programming, or even live event for that matter. 

He was added to WWE’s internal roster, but a report emerged over recent months which noted that upon signing the former IWGP United States Champion, WWE didn’t have any creative plans to factor him into, leaving him on the bench. There were some rumblings last year about a potential name change, but again, nothing came of this. Finally, after nearly a year on the bench, Hikuleo made his WWE debut last night.

Prior to Friday Night SmackDown, WWE held a taping for Main Event, and Hikuleo arrived for his first match, competing under the same name. He would defeat Pretty Deadly’s Kit Wilson in singles action. He didn’t resurface later on in the night with anything involving The Bloodline, but his Main Event appearance could well be the start of a main roster run, bypassing NXT.

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