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Hikuleo (wrestler)

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This article is about the professional wrestler. For the Tongan god, see Hikule'o.

Hikuleo
Hikuleo in 2023
Birth nameTautuiaki Taula Koloamatangi[1]
Born (1991-02-07) February 7, 1991 (age 33)[2]
Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.[3]
Alma materWebber International University[1]
FamilyTonga Fifita (uncle/adoptive father)
Tama Tonga (brother)
Tanga Loa (cousin/adoptive brother)
Bad Luck Fale (adoptive cousin)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
Billed height6 ft 8 in (203 cm)[2][4]
Billed weight264 lb (120 kg)[2][4]
Trained byFale Dojo[2][4]
NJPW Dojo[6]
Team 3D Academy[2][4]
DebutNovember 12, 2016[2][4]

Tautuiaki Taula Koloamatangi (born February 7, 1991) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE and is also known for his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), under the ring name Hikuleo, where he was a member of Bullet Club and Guerrillas of Destiny (GoD). In his time with NJPW, he was a former Strong Openweight Champion, a 2-time Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion, and a one time IWGP Tag Team Champion with partner El Phantasmo as part of a new incarnation of GoD. [2][4][7] He is the nephew and adopted son of professional wrestler Tonga Fifita.

Early life

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Koloamatangi and his elder brother Alipate were adopted by their maternal aunt, Dorothy Koloamatangi, and her husband Tonga Fifita, who brought them to the United States.[8][9] He was raised in Kissimmee, Florida, attending Osceola High School. He attended Florida's Webber International University, majoring in sport management and playing basketball as a center for the Webber International Warriors. He was named Webber International University's junior varsity men's basketball most valuable player for 2009–2010.[1][3]

Professional wrestling career

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New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2016–2024)

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Bullet Club (2016–2022)

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See also: Bullet Club

Koloamatangi was trained to wrestle by Bully Ray and Devon at the Team 3D Academy in Florida.[4] In 2016, he travelled to Japan, where he became a student at the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) dojo.[2][6] Koloamatangi, under the ring name Hikule'o (a reference to the Tongan god[10]), made his professional wrestling debut on November 12, 2016, in Auckland, New Zealand at NJPW's On the Mat Internet pay-per-view, losing to Henare.[2][11]

Koloamatangi continued his training throughout 2017, serving as a young lion. He rejoined the active NJPW roster in September 2017, taking part in the Destruction tour under the ring name "Leo Tonga".[12][13] He joined the gaijin heel stable Bullet Club alongside his brothers Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga and his cousin Bad Luck Fale, substituting for the injured Kenny Omega.[14] On January 4, 2018, Koloamatangi appeared at Wrestle Kingdom 12, the 27th annual January 4 Tokyo Dome Show (NJPW's annual flagship event), taking part in a New Japan Rumble.[15] At The New Beginning in Sapporo later that month, Koloamatangi changed his ring name to "Hikuleo".[5][16] In March 2018, Hikuleo sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament.[17]

After recuperating and spending six months training at the NJPW Dojo in Los Angeles, Hikuleo returned at Honor Rising: Japan in February 2019, accompanying his brothers to ringside. Hikuleo competed in the 2019 New Japan Cup for the first time in his career, in which he was eliminated in the first round by Mikey Nicholls. Following that, Hikuleo debuted in The European promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling for his excursion to gain more experience and training, losing to Dan Magee in his first match on June 29.[18] Hikuleo was absent from NJPW for a year from September 2019; he returned in September 2020 on the NJPW's United States show, NJPW Strong, defeating Brody King.[19] In March of the following year, Hikuleo competed in the New Japan Cup USA tournament, defeating Jordan Clearwater to qualify for the tournament.[20] In the first round, Hikuleo defeated Fred Rosser, but lost in the semi-final round to eventual tournament winner Tom Lawlor.[21][22] In August, Hikuleo was defeated by Juice Robinson at NJPW Resurgence.[23]

Guerillas of Destiny (2022–2024)

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See also: Guerrillas of Destiny

Following The Guerillas of Destiny's ejection from Bullet Club at No Surrender Hikuleo began to become more aggressive to stable leader Jay White, who was responsible for kicking out Hikuleo's brothers. This led to Hikuleo answering White's "U.S of Jay" open challenge at Mutiny in April 2022, however White defeated Hikuleo, who gave White the "too sweet" gesture post-match, confirming his loyalty to Bullet Club.[24] At Windy City Riot, Hikuleo teamed with his Bullet Club stablemates and Scott Norton, losing to United Empire.[25] Hikuleo teamed with White, to defeat Kazuchika Okada and Rocky Romero of Chaos at Capital Collision in May.[26] Hikuleo was scheduled to compete in an 8-man tag-team match at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door, teaming with Bullet Club stablemate El Phantasmo and one night only members The Young Bucks against Darby Allin, Sting and Los Ingobernables de Japon members, Hiromu Takahashi and Shingo Takagi, however it was announced that Takahashi wouldn't be able to compete at the event, due to suffering from a fever, so the match was made a six-man tag-team match, without Hikuleo.[27] Despite this, Hikuleo appeared at the event in the corner of Bullet Club. Despite interfering in the match, Bullet Club was defeated by Sting, Allin, and Takagi at the event.[28] In September, Hikuleo made his return to Japan at NJPW Burning Spirit teaming with Kenta and Taiji Ishimori to defeat Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma and Kushida.[29] Later in the Burning Spirit tour on September 25, Hikuleo betrayed Bullet Club by attacking Jay White and siding with Tama Tonga, turning face and joining the Guerillas of Destiny stable with his brothers Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa along with Jado.[30] On January 4, 2023, at Wrestle Kingdom 17, Hikuleo competed in the New Japan Rambo match, but failed to last till the final 4.[31]

After the event, Jay White challenged Hikuleo to a "Loser Leaves Japan Match", which took place in February at The New Beginning in Osaka, where Hikuleo defeated White, expelling him from Japan.[32] In May 2023, at Wrestling Dontaku, Hikuleo defeated Kenta to win the Strong Openweight Championship, his first championship in NJPW.[33] He would lose the title back to Kenta 18 days later, at Resurgence.[34] In July, Hikuleo entered his first G1 Climax tournament, where he would compete in the A Block.[35] Hikuleo finished his tournament campaign with 8 points, with a win over Shota Umino in the final match of the block, causing him to be the runner up in his block and thus advancing to the quarter-finals.[36] In the quarterfinal round, Hikuleo lost to eventual tournament winner Tetsuya Naito, eliminating him from the tournament.[37] On October 9 at Destruction in Ryogoku, Hikuleo and Phantasmo defeated Bullet Club War Dogs (Alex Coughlin and Gabe Kidd) to become the new champions and the first wrestler to hold the Strong Openweight and Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships.[38]

From November 25 until December 6, Hikuleo and Phantasmo took part in the 2023 World Tag League, where they won their block with a record of five wins and two losses, advancing to the semifinals of the tournament. On December 8, Hikuleo and Phantasmo defeated Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste in the semifinals and then were defeated by Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi, on December 10 in the finals of the World Tag League. Following the match, Bishamon challenged Hikuleo and Phantasmo to a match, for both IWGP and the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships in a Winner Takes All" match.[39] On January 4, 2024, at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Hikuleo and Phantasmo defeated Bishamon in a Winner takes all match to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship, where their Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship was also on the line.[40] On February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka, Hikuleo and Phantasmo lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to Bullet Club (Chase Owens and Kenta), ending their reign at 38 days.[41] On April 12 at Windy City Riot, Hikuleo and Phantasmo lost the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship to TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste) in a four corners match, before regaining them on May 11 at Resurgence.[42][43]

Hikuleo wrestled his final match for NJPW on June 9, 2024 with El Phantasmo at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, losing a match for the IWGP Tag Team and Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, with reports linking him to WWE in the future.[44]

All Elite Wrestling (2022)

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Hikuleo appeared in the crowd on Night 2 of Fyter Fest in July 2021, watching the IWGP United States Championship match between Jon Moxley and Lance Archer, thus making his All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut. After Archer's victory, Hikuleo entered the ring to have a stare-down with the victor, hinting at a future match between the two.[45] The match was scheduled for the following week at Fight for the Fallen, where Hikuleo, who was accompanied to the ring by his father King Haku, lost to Archer.[46] Hikuleo appeared on the August 11, 2021 episode of Dark, defeating Thad Brown.

Hikuleo returned to AEW on the June 1, 2022 episode of Dynamite teaming with Undisputed Elite members The Young Bucks and reDRagon to defeat the Jurassic Express, Christian Cage, Matt Hardy and Darby Allin in a ten-man tag-team match.[47]

Impact Wrestling (2021–2022)

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In summer 2021, Hikuleo began making appearances in another NJPW partner promotion in the United States, Impact Wrestling. By autumn 2021, he was listed as a member of the Impact roster,[48] and he, Chris Bey, and El Phantasmo established themselves as a U.S. based branch of Bullet Club in Impact Wrestling.[49] Hikuleo teamed with Bey in his Impact debut, defeating FinJuice at Victory Road.[50] On the October 21st episode of Impact!, Hikuleo and Bey faced off in a #1 contendership match for the Impact World Tag Team Championship, but the match ended in a no contest. Therefore, at Bound for Glory, a three-way tag-team match was set up between the two teams and Tag Team Champions, The Good Brothers with the titles on the line. At the event, The Good Brothers retained the championships.[51] At Turning Point in November, Bey and Hikuleo were once again unsuccessful in capturing the Impact World Tag Team Championships from The Good Brothers.[52]

Hikuleo returned to Impact Wrestling in November at Emergence, teaming with Bullet Club stablemates to lose to Honor No More in a 12-man tag-team match.

Personal life

[edit]

A second generation professional wrestler, Hikuleo is the nephew and adopted son of professional wrestler Tonga Fifita (known as Haku and Meng) and his wife Dorothy Koloamatangi. He has a half-brother, Alipate Leone who is also a professional wrestler known with the name Tama Tonga, and is the cousin and adopted brother of fellow professional wrestler Tevita (who is best known under the name Tanga Loa), and Vika Fifita. He is also the adopted cousin of Simi Taitoko ("Toks") Fale, who is also a professional wrestler best known under the name Bad Luck Fale.[8][9]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Taula Koloamatangi - 2012-13 Men's Basketball". WebberAthletics.com. Webber International University. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Hikuleo". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Taula Koloamatangi". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Philip Kreikenbohm. "Leo Tonga". Cagematch.net. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Robert McCauley (January 27, 2018). "NJPW 'The New Beginning in Sapporo' 1.28.18 preview & predictions". FightBoothPW.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Jay Reddick (April 21, 2017). "Guerrillas of Destiny, big in Japan, look for even more success". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  7. ^ "Hikuleo - Impact Wrestling.com". Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Tama Tonga (July 2, 2016). "Episode 3: Tanga Loa (part 1)". audioBoom (Podcast). MLW Radio Network. Event occurs at 12:32. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Lucas Wesley Snipes (December 27, 2016). "9 wrestlers you didn't know were adopted and 6 who adopted children of their own". TheSportster.com. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  10. ^ Julian Baldick (2013). Ancient Religions of the Austronesian World: From Australasia to Taiwan. I.B. Tauris. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-78076-366-8.
  11. ^ Dave Meltzer (November 12, 2016). "Update on availability of New Japan New Zealand iPPV". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  12. ^ Philip Kreikenbohm. "Leo Tonga – Matches – 2017". Cagematch.net. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  13. ^ Bryan Rose (September 5, 2017). "Kenny Omega injures knee, still set for Kobe Destruction show". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  14. ^ Sean Radican (September 6, 2017). "NJPW announces Omega to miss several dates with injury, latest MLW One Shot w/Ricochet and Strickland". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  15. ^ Ethan Renner (January 3, 2018). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 live results: Okada-Naito, Omega-Jericho". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  16. ^ John Powell (January 28, 2018). "Bullet Club implodes at New Beginning". Canoe.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  17. ^ Bryan Rose (March 8, 2018). "Kitamura, Hikuleo out of New Japan Cup tour due to injuries". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  18. ^ Dinsdale, John (June 27, 2019). "Revolution Pro Wrestling's Ungovernable Card". VultureHound. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  19. ^ NJPW. "2020.09.04 FIGHTING SPIRIT UNLEASHED | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  20. ^ "Road to STRONG STYLE EVOLVED – 2021/3/13".
  21. ^ "NJPW Strong Results (4/9): New Japan Cup USA First Round Action | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  22. ^ "NJPW Strong results: New Japan Cup USA 2021 semifinals". Wrestling Observer. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  23. ^ Konuwa, Alfred. "NJPW Resurgence Results: Winners, News And Notes As Will Ospreay Returns, Is Medically Cleared". Forbes. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  24. ^ "NJPW Strong results: Jay White vs. Hikuleo". Wrestling Observer. May 14, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  25. ^ "NJPW Windy City Riot live results: Jon Moxley vs. Will Ospreay". Wrestling Observer. April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  26. ^ Berman, Ross (May 15, 2022). "NJPW Capital Collision Results, New IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Crowned (5/14)". Wrestlezone. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  27. ^ "Hiromu Takahashi Off AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  28. ^ Powell, Jason (June 26, 2022). "AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the Interim AEW World Title, Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hangman Page vs. Adam Cole for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title, Thunder Rosa vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women's Title, Will Ospreay vs. Orange Cassidy for the IWGP U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  29. ^ NJPW. "2022.09.25 BURNING SPIRIT | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  30. ^ Datta, Soumik (September 25, 2022). "Bullet Club member betrays faction leader Jay White and aligns with 12-time champion". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  31. ^ "2023.01.04 WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 in TOKYO DOME | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING".
  32. ^ "NJPW the New Beginning in Osaka live results: Okada vs. Shingo". February 11, 2023.
  33. ^ Gibbons, Aidan (May 3, 2023). "Multiple New Champions Crowned At NJPW Wrestling Dontaku". www.cultaholic.com. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  34. ^ Haulotte, Kellie (May 21, 2023). "KENTA Wins The NJPW Strong Openweight Championship". www.wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  35. ^ "NJPW G1 Climax 33 Participants, Blocks & Full Schedule".
  36. ^ "New Japan's G1 Climax 33 quarterfinals are set". August 9, 2023.
  37. ^ "NJPW G1 Climax 33 night 17 live results: Quarterfinals". August 10, 2023.
  38. ^ "DESTRUCTION in RYOGOKU MON. OCTOBER. 9. 2023". njpw1972.com. NJPW. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  39. ^ Thompson, Andrew (December 10, 2023). "Bishamon wins 2023 NJPW World Tag League, offers El Phantasmo & Hikuleo title match at Wrestle Kingdom 18". POSTWrestling. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  40. ^ Powell, Jason (January 4, 2024). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 results: Powell's live review of Sanada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Hvt. Championship, Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson, Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  41. ^ "2024.02.11 THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  42. ^ Renner, Ethan (April 13, 2024). "NJPW Windy City Riot live results: Moxley vs. Naito IWGP title match". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  43. ^ Fritta, Chick (May 11, 2024). "NJPW Resurgence live results: Jon Moxley vs. Shota Umino IWGP World title match". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  44. ^ C., Steve (June 10, 2024). "Hikuleo Reportedly Expected to Join WWE Following Expiration of NJPW Contract". TPWW. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  45. ^ Barnett, Jake (July 21, 2021). "7/21 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Fyter Fest Night Two with Jon Moxley vs. Lance Archer in a Texas DeathMatch for the IWGP U.S. Championship, Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose for the AEW Women's Championship, Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Spears, Orange Cassidy vs. The Blade, Darby Allin vs. Wheeler Yuta". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  46. ^ Powell, Jason (July 28, 2021). "7/28 AEW Dynamite results: Powell's live review of Fight For The Fallen with "The Painmaker" Chris Jericho vs. Nick Gage in a No DQ match, Adam Page and Dark Order vs. The Elite in an elimination match, FTR vs. Santana and Ortiz, Lance Archer vs. Hikuleo for the IWPG U.S. Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  47. ^ Elizabeth, Claire (June 1, 2022). "AEW Dynamite results, live blog (June 1, 2022): Double or Nothing fallout in L.A." Cageside Seats. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  48. ^ Hikuleo - Impact Wrestling.com
  49. ^ "El Phantasmo Coming to IMPACT, Moose's Warning, Eric Young Believes – IMPACT Wrestling". Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  50. ^ "IMPACT Wrestling Presents Victory Road Results Christian Cage vs Ace Austin". www.fightful.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  51. ^ Powell, Jason (October 24, 2021). "10/23 Moore's Impact Wrestling Bound For Glory live review: Christian Cage vs. Josh Alexander for the Impact World Championship, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Mickie James for the Knockouts Title, Steve Maclin vs. Trey Miguel vs. El Phantasmo for the vacant X Division Title, Call Your Shot gauntlet". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  52. ^ "Turning Point 2021 Results – IMPACT Wrestling". Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  53. ^ Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2022". profightdb.com. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
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