Hikuleo

Tautuiaki Taula Koloamatangi, renowned in the wrestling world as Hikuleo, is an American professional wrestler of Tongan descent. As of October 2024, he is under a multi-year contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Before venturing into WWE, Hikuleo established a formidable presence in prominent wrestling circuits, including All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and, most prominently, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).

Hikuleo Early Life

Hikuleo was born and raised in Kissimmee, Florida. Inspired by his father's appearances on television, he dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler from a young age. Upon completing his studies at Osceola High School in his hometown, he enrolled at Webber International University in Florida, where he majored in sports management and played as a center for the Webber International Warriors basketball team. During his time there, he distinguished himself as a talented athlete, earning the title of the junior varsity men's basketball team's Most Valuable Player for the 2009-2010 season.

Hikuleo Professional Wrestling Career

New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW: 2016–2024)

Tautuiaki Taula Koloamatangi began training at Team 3D Academy with Bully Ray and Devon, before moving to Japan in 2016 to advance his skills at the NJPW dojo. He debuted as Hikule'o on November 12, 2016, at NJPW's On the Mat pay-per-view, losing to Henare in a dark match. After training as a Young Lion in 2017, he joined the active NJPW roster as "Leo Tonga," becoming a member of Bullet Club alongside his brothers Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga, as well as his cousin Bad Luck Fale, to replace the injured Kenny Omega. In January 2018, he achieved a major career milestone by debuting in the New Japan Rumble at Wrestle Kingdom 12 and just a month later, during NJPW’s New Beginning in Sapporo, he officially embraced his new moniker, “Hikuleo”.

In March 2018, Hikuleo suffered an ACL injury that required six months of recovery and training at the NJPW Dojo in Los Angeles. He returned to action at Honor Rising: Japan in February 2019 and made his first appearance in the 2019 New Japan Cup, where he was eliminated in the first round by Mikey Nicholls. Soon after, Hikuleo joined Revolution Pro Wrestling in Europe, where he lost to Dan Magee in his debut match. He took a year-long break from NJPW beginning in September 2019 and returned in September 2020 on NJPW Strong, defeating Brody King. In March 2021, he joined the New Japan Cup USA, advancing to the semi-finals before losing to eventual winner Tom Lawlor. Later that August, he was defeated by Juice Robinson at NJPW Resurgence.

Pursuit of championships amidst multiple feuds

At the 2021 No Surrender event, the Guerrillas of Destiny were ejected from the Bullet Club, which intensified Hikuleo's aggression toward the group's leader, Jay White, especially after White ousted his brothers. Hikuleo responded to White's "U.S. of Jay" open challenge at Mutiny in April 2022. Although he lost the match, he expressed his loyalty with a "too sweet" gesture. However, in a surprising turn of events, Hikuleo ultimately betrayed White and became a member of the Guerrillas of Destiny alongside Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. In early 2023, he participated in the New Japan Rambo at Wrestle Kingdom 17 but did not make it to the final four.

At the 2023 New Beginning in Osaka, Hikuleo made a major impact by defeating Jay White in a high-stakes "Loser Leaves Japan" match in February, forcing White out of Japan. In May, Hikuleo captured his first NJPW title, winning the Strong Openweight Championship by defeating Kenta; however, Kenta reclaimed the title just 18 days later. In July, Hikuleo made his debut in the G1 Climax tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to Tetsuya Naito. Then, in October, he teamed with El Phantasmo to claim the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, making history as the first NJPW wrestler to hold both the Strong Openweight singles and tag titles.

As per Cage Match, from November 25 to December 10, 2023, Hikuleo and El Phantasmo showcased their skills in the World Tag League. They reached the finals before losing to Bishamon. Their rivalry peaked at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4, 2024, where they defeated Bishamon to win the IWGP and retain the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships in a "Winner Takes All" match. However, they lost the IWGP titles to Chase Owens and Kenta on February 11, 2024, and later dropped the Strong Openweight titles to TMDK but reclaimed them in May. Hikuleo's final NJPW match alongside Phantasmo occurred at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka, where they lost the Strong Openweight Championships.

All Elite Wrestling (2022)

Hikuleo made his AEW debut at Fyter Fest in July 2021, where he observed the IWGP United States Championship match between Jon Moxley and Lance Archer. Following Archer's victory, Hikuleo confronted him, setting up their match at Fight for the Fallen, where he was joined by his father, King Haku, but ultimately lost to Archer. He later appeared on AEW Dark, defeating Thad Brown, and returned in June 2022 on Dynamite, teaming with the Undisputed Elite to win a ten-man tag match against the Jurassic Express, Christian Cage, Matt Hardy, and Darby Allin.

Impact Wrestling (2021–2022)

In August 2021, Hikuleo made his debut in Impact Wrestling, aligning with Chris Bey and El Phantasmo to establish a U.S. branch of Bullet Club. His first match alongside Bey resulted in a victory over FinJuice at Victory Road. They faced FinJuice again in October 2021 in a no-contest bout for the #1 contenders to the Impact World Tag Team Championship, which led to a three-way match at Bound for Glory, where The Good Brothers successfully retained their titles. At Turning Point 2021, Hikuleo and Bey were unable to defeat The Good Brothers once more. In August 2022, Hikuleo returned at Emergence, competing in a 12-man tag match but ultimately lost to Honor No More.

Hikuleo Family

The identities of Hikuleo's biological parents remain unknown. In 1991, he and his half-brother Alipate A. Leone (better known as Tama Tonga) were adopted by their maternal aunt, Dorothy Koloamatangi, and her husband, Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita, known to fans as Haku, who is also their uncle. This close-knit family connection makes Hikuleo both a cousin and adoptive brother to fellow wrestlers Tevita Fifita (Tanga Loa) and Vika Fifita. Additionally, he is the adopted cousin of Simi Taitoko Fale, known in the wrestling world as Bad Luck Fale.

Championship Won