Sports · Football · 28 mins ago
WWE Reportedly Signs Sumo Champion and Former College Football Player Hidetora Hanada
WWE has reportedly signed Hidetora Hanada, whose career spans sumo wrestling and American football.
Born in Japan, Hanada began competing in sumo in high school and later won gold at the Junior World Sumo Championships in 2018 and 2019.
He also represented Japan at international competitions, including the 2022 World Games, where he won gold in the heavyweight division.
Hanada moved to the United States to play defensive line for Colorado State University and also tried to reach the NFL through its International Player Pathway program, but did not make a team.
A 2025 WWE NIL deal connected him with the company while he completed his college sports commitments.
After graduating in December 2025, he is moving into professional wrestling, bringing experience from two very different sports.
WWE has reportedly signed Japanese athlete Hidetora Hanada to an NXT contract.
Hanada, 24, competed in sumo and played college football for Colorado State.
He signed a WWE Name, Image, and Next in Line deal in February 2025.
Hanada won the Junior World Sumo Championships in 2018 and 2019.
He competed at the 2022 World Games in Alabama and later tried to reach the NFL.
- Who
- WWE and Hidetora Hanada, a Japanese sumo athlete and former college football player.
- What
- WWE has reportedly signed Hanada to an NXT contract.
- When
- Reported on October 28, 2026. The signing date is not stated.
- Where
- WWE is based in Stamford, Connecticut. Hanada played college football at Colorado State University.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hanada won the Junior World Sumo Championships in both years.
Hanada competed at the World Games in Alabama.
Hanada signed a WWE NIL deal.
Hanada visited WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
Hanada graduated from Colorado State University.
Reports said WWE had signed Hanada to an NXT contract.
- Age
- 24
- Reported contract
- WWE NXT
- College football team
- Colorado State Rams
- Junior World Sumo Championships
- Won in 2018 and 2019
- WWE NIL deal
- February 2025
- World Games
- Alabama, 2022
2 sources
Posts on X
WWE has signed Japanese sumo and football athlete Hidetora Hanada, 24, to an NXT contract. He played football for Colorado State and also competed in sumo at the 2022 World Games in Alabama as well as 2018 in Japan and 2019 in Taiwan. He transitioned into football in 2022.