Hikuleo confirms WWE talks, expands on Jay White feud, ACL injury, Bullet Club (Patreon)

Fightful Select caught up with NJPW’s Hikuleo before his upcoming tag team match at NJPW STRONG’s Lone Star Shootout in Dallas, Texas, on November 10th. The NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Champion discussed numerous topics with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp.

Hikuleo spoke about his tag team partner, El Phantasmo [ELP]. He said he was surprised when he found out the two would be paired together, even though the two teamed before in RevPro.

Hikuleo added anytime he goes out with ELP,  he does not remember what happened later. Hikuleo says he waits until the end of the tour before going out. Hikuleo said the ELP you see on TV and social media is the same person behind the scenes. and that they are polar opposites but mesh well in the ring together.

He talked about when he tore his ACL. Hikuleo said it took a mental toll on him. Hikuelo said this was his second ACL tear. He told us that his brothers, Rocky Romero and New Japan,  supported him. He trained with Shibata at the LA Dojo to prepare for his return.

Hikuleo says he loved working with Jay White. He says White guided him during the last six months of White’s tenure in Japan. Hikuleo said he learned so much from White.

The former NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion said the Loser Leaves Japan match at New Year’s Dash was interesting because the rumors of outside interest that Fightful reported added more value to the match. Hikuleo did confirm Fightful’s report that there was talk about him possibly going to the WWE.  He did confirm that there were talks with WWE, and he said they weighed their options about potentially leaving NJPW. However, he feels like they are supposed to be where they are. When he saw the rumors of WWE interest online, he was checking his phone to make sure he hadn't told anyone he shouldn't have told. Sapp indicated to Hikuleo that WWE sources actually informed him. 

Hikuleo said he loved working with IMPACT. He said there was no stress in the locker room and no politics he ever saw. He told us he would love to return and work with them again but would love to work with other companies in the United States.

Regarding working singles matches, Hikuleo says he is focused on his tag team career right now. He has a goal to go after the IWGP Tag Team Championship. He believes singles will always be there when the time comes. He spoke about the Guerillas of Destiny [GOD]. Hikuleo says that Tama Tonga was the heart and soul of Bullet Club. He believes there will always be history between GOD and Bullet Club.

Hikuleo spoke about the 10-man Tag Team Match he had in AEW, where he teamed with The Undisputed Elite [The Young Bucks and ReDragon]. Hikuleo said he had a great time. He said working with Matt Hardy and Christian Cage was a “wow” moment. He mentioned growing up watching Hardy and Christian.

Hikuleo says working at NJPW STRONG with no fans during the pandemic was tough. He said it felt different but still had the New Japan spirit.

Hikuleo and his tag team partner, ELP, will defend their NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship titles against West Coast Wrecking on Saturday at NJPW STRONG’s Lonestar Shootout.