WWE reportedly have interest in another NJPW talent.
Earlier this week, Fightful Select reported that WWE are interested in bringing NJPW’s Hikuleo into the company, a report that made Jay White’s ‘Loser Leaves Japan’ match challenge toward the 6″8 talent all the more interesting.
It now appears as though Hikuleo isn’t the only NJPW star that WWE are interested in signing, as Fightful Select are now reporting that there is also significant interest in bringing the current NEVER Openweight Champion Tama Tonga, with the belief being that the interest dates back to before the recent Wrestle Kingdom 17 event.
“Fightful Select has learned that WWE has internally expressed interest in Tama Tonga. While we’re told that the interest in possibly bringing in Tonga isn’t new, word travelled through the NJPW locker room ahead of Wrestle Kingdom 17 and made its way to Fightful.”
-Fightful
Interestingly, Tama Tonga competed against a current WWE Superstar at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4th, as he defeated former Bullet Club stablemate Karl Anderson to capture the NEVER Openweight Championship.
The 40-year-old received an offer to join WWE seven years ago, however, he ultimately decided to remain with NJPW in order to team with his brother Tanga Loa as the Guerrillas of Destiny, with the pair now finding themselves on the babyface side of the roster after they were turned on by Bullet Club.
Fightful’s report also highlights that Tama Tonga’s NJPW contract is believed to be up in the next few weeks according to sources within the company, and thus it may not be long before WWE have the opportunity to get their man.
“Subsequently, NJPW sources have claimed that Tama Tonga’s New Japan contract is up in a matter of weeks.”
-Fightful
Tonga has already established himself in America competing for the likes of NJPW Strong, IMPACT, and ROH, and is currently on arguably the best run of his career, and so it’d be interesting to see how WWE would plan on using him and his brother Hikuleo should they make a move to the company.
Tanga Loa, the pair’s cousin/adoptive brother, previously wrestled for the company as Camacho, and whilst there have yet to be any reports stating that there is interest in bringing him back, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see G.O.D. make the jump as a collective.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on WWE’s interest in Tama Tonga and Hikuleo as soon as we hear more.
