Hidetora Hanada signs WWE NXT contract after football and sumo career
Wrestling Inc • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 28, 2026, 9:56 PM
Last updated Oct 28, 2026
WWE has signed Hidetora Hanada, a 24-year-old former sumo wrestler and football player, to a developmental contract with NXT. Hanada, born in Wakayama, Japan, achieved success in sumo, winning multiple gold medals before transitioning to football at Colorado State University. After an injury sidelined him during his college career, Hanada returned to WWE, where he had previously been part of their NIL program. It remains unknown when he will make his official debut.
- •Hidetora Hanada signs a developmental contract with WWE NXT.
- •Hanada is a former sumo wrestling champion with gold medals.
- •He played football at Colorado State University before his injury.
- •WWE previously signed him to NIL while he was in college.
- •Debut date for Hanada in WWE remains unclear.
- 9:56 PMWrestling Inc — Former Sumo & Football Athlete Reportedly Signs WWE NXT Contract
"WWE has reportedly signed Hidetora Hanada, a former sumo wrestling star and collegiate football athlete and member of the WWE NIL program, to an NXT contract
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