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Hikuleo (wrestler)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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)Hikule'o[2][4]
Hikuleo[2][5]
Leo Tonga[4]
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 of Tongan descent. He is currently wrestling for the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and the American promotion Impact Wrestling under the ring name Hikuleo (ヒクレオ, Hikureo), he is a former Strong Openweight Champion and is a part of the Guerrillas of Destiny stable.[2][4][7]

Early life

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

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2016–present)

Bullet Club (2016–2022)

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–present)

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]

All Elite Wrestling (2021, 2022)

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 staring off with Archer, hinting at a future match between the two for the title.[42] 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.[43] Hikuleo appeared on the August 11, 2021 episode of AEW Dark, defeating Thad Brown.

Hikuleo returned to AEW on the June 1, 2022 episode of AEW 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.[44]

Impact Wrestling (2021–present)

In the summer of 2021, Hikuleo would begin to make appearances in another NJPW partner promotion in the U.S., Impact Wrestling. By fall, he would become listed as a member of the Impact roster,[45] and he, Chris Bey, and El Phantasmo established themselves as a U.S. based branch of Bullet Club in Impact Wrestling.[46] Hikuleo teamed with Bey in his Impact debut, defeating FinJuice at Victory Road.[47] 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.[48] At Turning Point in November, Bey and Hikuleo were once again unsuccessful in capturing the Impact World Tag Team Championships from The Good Brothers.[49]

Hikuleo returned to Impact programming in November at Emergence, teaming with Bullet Club stablemates to lose to Honor No More in a 12-man tag-team match.[50]

Personal life

A second generation professional wrestler, Koloamatangi is the nephew and adopted son of professional wrestler Haku and his wife Dorothy Koloamatangi. He has a half-brother, Tama Tonga, and is the cousin and adopted brother of Tanga Loa and Vika. He is also the adopted cousin of Bad Luck Fale.[8][9]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  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
  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 3 December 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.
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  18. ^ Dinsdale, John (27 June 2019). "Revolution Pro Wrestling's Ungovernable Card". VultureHound. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  19. ^ NJPW. "2020.09.04 FIGHTING SPIRIT UNLEASHED | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  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 2023-04-13.
  22. ^ "NJPW Strong results: New Japan Cup USA 2021 semifinals". Wrestling Observer. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  23. ^ Konuwa, Alfred. "NJPW Resurgence Results: Winners, News And Notes As Will Ospreay Returns, Is Medically Cleared". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  24. ^ "NJPW Strong results: Jay White vs. Hikuleo". Wrestling Observer. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  25. ^ "NJPW Windy City Riot live results: Jon Moxley vs. Will Ospreay". Wrestling Observer. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  26. ^ Berman, Ross (2022-05-15). "NJPW Capital Collision Results, New IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Crowned (5/14)". Wrestlezone. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  27. ^ "Hiromu Takahashi Off AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  28. ^ Powell, Jason (2022-06-26). "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 2023-04-13.
  29. ^ NJPW. "2022.09.25 BURNING SPIRIT | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  30. ^ Datta, Soumik (25 September 2022). "Bullet Club member betrays faction leader Jay White and aligns with 12-time champion". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  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". 11 February 2023.
  33. ^ Gibbons, Aidan (3 May 2023). "Multiple New Champions Crowned At NJPW Wrestling Dontaku". www.cultaholic.com. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  34. ^ Haulotte, Kellie (21 May 2023). "KENTA Wins The NJPW Strong Openweight Championship". www.wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  35. ^ "NJPW G1 Climax 33 Participants, Blocks & Full Schedule".
  36. ^ "New Japan's G1 Climax 33 quarterfinals are set". 9 August 2023.
  37. ^ "NJPW G1 Climax 33 night 17 live results: Quarterfinals". 10 August 2023.
  38. ^ "DESTRUCTION in RYOGOKU MON. OCTOBER. 9. 2023". njpw1972.com. NJPW. 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 2024-02-04.
  42. ^ Powell, Jason (2021-07-21). "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 2023-04-13.
  43. ^ Powell, Jason (2021-07-28). "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 2023-04-13.
  44. ^ Elizabeth, Claire (2022-06-01). "AEW Dynamite results, live blog (June 1, 2022): Double or Nothing fallout in L.A." Cageside Seats. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  45. ^ Hikuleo - Impact Wrestling.com
  46. ^ "El Phantasmo Coming to IMPACT, Moose's Warning, Eric Young Believes – IMPACT Wrestling". Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  47. ^ "IMPACT Wrestling Presents Victory Road Results Christian Cage vs Ace Austin | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  48. ^ Powell, Jason (2021-10-24). "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 2023-04-13.
  49. ^ "Turning Point 2021 Results – IMPACT Wrestling". Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  50. ^ "Emergence 2022 Full Results – IMPACT Wrestling". Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  51. ^ Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2022". profightdb.com. Retrieved December 7, 2022.

External links

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