WWE fans in awe as 'freakish' star finally debuts after 12-month wait
WWE fans were stunned as a new face made a massive impression at Night of Champions 2025.
Former New Japan Pro Wrestling star Hikuleo – who was previously a member of Bullet Club and Guerrillas of Destiny – was reported to have signed with the company back in July 2024.
It's been a year since the towering star left NJPW, and 11 months since he was said to have inked his WWE deal.
Finally, he reappeared and made his debut during Saturday's Night of Champions event in Saudi Arabia just hours after a historic King of the Ring win for Cody Rhodes.
He had a defining role to play in the United States Title match which saw Jacob Fatu putting his gold on the line against Solo Sikoa.
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After Tonga Loa returned from a seven month injury layoff to turn the tide in Sikoa's favour, the former Bloodline enforcer had another trick up his sleeve with Hikuleo appearing to cost Fatu the title.
Taking to X after the match, WWE boss Triple H retweeted a photo of Solo celebrating with his allies and wrote: 'By any means necessary…#WWENOC'
It's been a long wait, but now he's joined his for GoD teammates – and real life cousin Loa and brother Tama Tonga – on the WWE main roster.
Commentators Michael Cole and Wade Barrett avoided saying Hikuleo's name, which suggests a change in moniker is on the horizon for the newcomer, who stands at 6ft 8ins.
However, Preston-born Barrett immediately hyped up the big man, branding him an 'absolute freak', while fans watching on Netflix were in awe of his size.
'Huge surprise with Hikuleo helping Solo! Great twist in the title match. #WWENOC,' raved @LaurenMill62673 on X.
'HIKULEO IS HUGE MY GOD,' shouted @ChefOsco, with plenty of fans stunned by his hulking frame.
'Hikuleo is him! Dude is massive af. #WWENOC,' added @ShinTails77.
He's a newcomer to WWE fans, having only recently appeared in so-called dark matches, which are off-air bouts for the live crowd.
In his first on June 13, he overcame Pretty Deadly's Kit Wilson, while last week he beat Ryan Matthias before SmackDown.
Before joining WWE, he made his name in New Japan, where he became Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion on two occasions with El Phantasmo, while the duo also won the IWPT Tag Team Titles.
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He's also a former Strong Openweight Champion, having wrestled in the United States for TNA and All Elite Wrestling. King of the Ring final : Cody Rhodes pinned Randy Orton
: Cody Rhodes pinned Randy Orton Street Fight : Rhea Ripley beat Raquel Rodriguez
: Rhea Ripley beat Raquel Rodriguez Sami Zayn pinned Karrion Kross
United States Title : Solo Sikoa defeated Jacob Fatu (c)
: Solo Sikoa defeated Jacob Fatu (c) Queen of the Ring: Jade Cargill beat Asuka
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