Back in 2024, WWE made a couple of intriguing signings that had fans speculating about the future of The Bloodline. The company brought in former NJPW star Hikuleo—brother of Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa—and former MLW standout Lance Anoa’i, a direct cousin of Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso. Given their family ties, it seemed like a natural fit for them to join the dominant faction. However, nearly a year later, neither man has appeared on WWE television, leading to growing questions about their status.
On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided an update on both Hikuleo and Anoa’i, but even he seemed uncertain about WWE’s plans. Meltzer did confirm that Hikuleo is under contract, despite some speculation to the contrary. However, the reason behind his absence remains a mystery.
“He’s been in Orlando forever,” Meltzer noted. “They just haven’t decided… I don’t know what the deal is. Maybe they’re waiting until he’s ready for the main roster and don’t want to put him in NXT early. I don’t know… but they have a reason.”
One thing Meltzer made clear is that WWE remains high on Hikuleo, and he hasn’t heard any negative reports about the 6’8″ powerhouse. That said, the same can’t be said for Lance Anoa’i. While Anoa’i was initially believed to be off TV due to an injury, Meltzer mentioned that there has been some criticism of his potential within the company, though he didn’t specify exactly what those concerns were.
With The Bloodline storyline continuing to evolve, it’s possible WWE is waiting for the right moment to introduce Hikuleo—or perhaps they have other plans entirely. As for Anoa’i, his WWE future seems a little more uncertain at this point. Either way, fans will have to keep watching to see if these two ever make their long-awaited debuts.
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