Add as a preferred source on Google Tonga Loa could be close to beginning a new chapter in pro wrestling, just a few months after leaving WWE.
Over the last several hours, word began making the rounds on social media that Loa is in advanced talks to sign with AEW. As of now, however, the potential deal has not been confirmed by the major backstage reporting outlets, so the situation should still be treated as a rumor.
What is known is that Loa has not been part of WWE since May. At the time, JC Mateo, also of MFT, left the company as well. The last SmackDown appearance for both men came on April 24.
🚨 REPORT: Tonga Loa is reportedly in advanced talks to join AEW.
— ᴢ ᴀ ɪ ʙ ɪ (@_xaibii) July 1, 2026
So that's apparently why he's been missing from WWE TV.
If this deal goes through, it'll be interesting to see how AEW uses him because his WWE run never really got going. pic.twitter.com/X4Fc92rBPa
Loa returned to WWE in May 2024 at Backlash France, helping Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton. Shortly after that, he began working alongside Tama in The Bloodline, capturing the WWE Tag Team Championship. The reign lasted 84 days, ending with a loss to the Motor City Machine Guns in October of that year.
Before that, Loa had a long run in Japan, where he formed Guerrillas of Destiny with Tama Tonga. The team won the IWGP Tag Team Championship seven times and also captured the ROH World Tag Team Championship.
Should a move to AEW be confirmed, Loa would be joining a company with a strong historical connection to Bullet Club and NJPW names. It remains unclear, however, whether Tony Khan would use him on his own or in some kind of project tied to the tag team division.