After a year under contract, Hikuleo has made his official in-ring debut for WWE. The former New Japan Pro-Wrestling talent competed in a match taped for the WWE Main Event program, which occurred prior to the June 13 episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Lexington, Kentucky.
For his first contest within the company, Hikuleo faced Kit Wilson of Pretty Deadly. This appearance marks his first match since officially signing with WWE in the summer of 2024. His debut had been anticipated for several months, with reports from June 13 indicating he was scheduled to be backstage for the SmackDown taping.
The timing of his debut aligns with significant shifts within The Bloodline storyline. His real-life brothers, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, are currently off television due to injury, and his introduction is speculated to be a reinforcement for Solo Sikoa’s faction. While his brothers were featured prominently on television upon their arrival, Hikuleo had remained off-screen, training at the WWE Performance Center.
Related content
At 6-foot-8, Hikuleo’s arrival presents a significant development. With direct family connections to one of the company’s most dominant groups, his first match serves as a notable entry point into the organization’s landscape. It has not been confirmed when he will appear on WWE’s primary television programming.
Hikuleo debuted before #SmackDown tonight.
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) June 13, 2025
(🎥: @IAmBalakay)
pic.twitter.com/x2dl6P8PrD
READ MORE: Solo Sikoa Sets Condition For Jacob Fatu’s Bloodline Return
