Hidetora Hanada, a former sumo wrestler and college football player, has officially signed a developmental NXT contract with WWE. This is a massive pickup, folks, and it brings a totally fresh dynamic to the roster that’s going to make waves.
Hidetora Hanada: The New Beast on the Block
Seriously, this guy is intriguing. The 24-year-old Hanada, who was born in Japan, competed at a seriously high level in sumo during his teenage years. We’re talking gold in the openweight division at the 2018 and 2019 Junior World Sumo Championships, then another gold as a heavyweight at the 2022 World Games. That’s not just “good,” that’s elite.
Then, get this, he switched gears and played college football! He started playing in 2022, joined Colorado State in 2023, and hit the field as a defensive lineman for the Rams. He appeared in two games during the 2023 season and racked up three tackles. Now he’s back in combat sports territory, which is more his jam. Learning the intricacies of pro wrestling will be a challenge, sure, but from a sheer physicality standpoint, Hanada has exactly what WWE looks for in a Superstar. Imagine this guy throwing people around. It’s gonna be wild.
Stephanie Vaquer’s Illness Rocks the Women’s Division
Over in the women’s division, we got some tough news about Stephanie Vaquer. Her surprising absence from Monday night’s episode of Raw? Turns out she’s dealing with an illness and is reportedly out “indefinitely.” That’s a huge blow.
This comes right after a chaotic few weeks for Vaquer. She lost the Women’s World Championship in a Triple Threat match to Liv Morgan at Money in the Bank earlier this month. Then, on the Raw right after, she was seen on crutches, dealing with a legitimate ankle injury that, thankfully, wasn’t expected to keep her out for long. WWE even seemed to confirm that last week when she and Becky Lynch agreed to a No. 1 contender’s match. But this week, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce had to announce Vaquer wasn’t medically cleared to compete. Instead, Lynch challenged Morgan, who ultimately retained her title by disqualification thanks to The Judgment Day interfering. This whole situation leaves the Women’s World Championship scene in a state of flux, and we’re all just hoping Vaquer gets back healthy soon.
Bruce Prichard Stepping Back: What it Means for Creative
Behind the scenes, there’s also some big news with WWE Executive Director of Creative Writing and Talent, Bruce Prichard. The word is he might be transitioning into a new role soon. Reports say Prichard is expected to step down from his full-time gig after WrestleMania 43 next April, moving into a consultant role. This means he won’t have to be located in Stamford, Connecticut anymore.
The reason? Prichard apparently needs to undergo a “serious” surgery, and this new arrangement will let him work from home in a revised capacity. This 63-year-old has been a hugely influential voice behind the scenes in WWE for decades, first from the late 1980s until 2008, then returning in 2018. He’s worked closely with WWE head of creative Triple H ever since. For fans, he’s also known as Brother Love, a villainous character from back in the day. His move means a big shift in the creative team, and it’ll be interesting to see how things evolve after WrestleMania 43.
We’re all keeping an eye on Stephanie Vaquer’s health, hoping for a speedy return. For Bruce Prichard, WrestleMania 43 is the landmark date for his transition. And for Hidetora Hanada? We’re just hyped to see this former sumo and football beast hit NXT and start shaking things up. Get ready, because this is just getting started!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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