Tag: Lance Anoa’i

What’s Going On with Hikuleo and Lance Anoa’i in WWE?

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.

Another Member Of Samoan Dynasty Signs With WWE – Lance Anoa’i

Per a new report, another member of the legendary Samoan Dynasty has signed with WWE.

According to Fightful Select, former MLW Tag Team Champion Lance Anoa’i signed with WWE over the summer, though he’s currently sidelined with an injury. As such, WWE has not made any imminent creative plans for Lance for the “WWE NXT” brand nor its main roster. While there is no word on the exact timeline for Lance’s recovery, Fightful claims that he will not be cleared to compete for “a while.”

On Thursday morning, a photo surfaced (courtesy of MuscleManMalcolm on X) of Lance standing in a “We Are NXT” shirt as he was surrounded by other up-and-coming talents of WWE’s Performance Center. At the age of 32, Lance, also the son of Samu, brings forth 14 years worth of in-ring experience, including appearances in Major League Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and WWE itself. Lance’s previous WWE work began in 2014, when he and Rhett Titus lost to The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor) on “WWE SmackDown.” Elsewhere, Lance battled The Authors of Pain on “NXT” as well as Shane McMahon on “WWE Raw” in 2019.

In October 2023, Lance confirmed that he, alongside his tag partner Juicy Finau, received his release from MLW after requesting it. Lance and Finau previously served as the MLW Tag Team Champions before their reign ended at the hands of AKIRA and Rickey Shane Page in July 2023.

The Samoan Dynasty has produced some of WWE’s biggest stars, from High Chief Peter Maivia The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika), Rocky Johnson, Yokozuna, Rikish, The Rock and Roman Reigns to The Usos, Solo Sikoa and many others.

Roman Reigns’ unprecedented title reign and The Bloodline storyline have not only brought renewed mainstream attention to WWE but also elevated the entire roster. Adding yet another family member to this legacy could open doors for new storylines and alliances, especially if this new signee joins the ranks of The Bloodline in the future.