Possible Reason For Why Hiroki Sumi Debuted At Greatest Royal Rumble

In the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio (via Wrestling Inc), Dave Meltzer spoke about a possible reason why Hiroki Sumi debuted at the Greatest Royal Rumble Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Sumi is a former sumo wrestler who competed as Hishofuji during his 12-year career. He entered the ring and had a staredown with Mark Henry but was quickly eliminated.

Meltzer said that when the prince of Saudi Arabia had a conversation with Vince McMahon, he spoke about wrestlers he wanted on the event. He mentioned Undertaker, Ultimate Warrior and Yokozuna, apparently not realizing the latter two have passed away. In Yokozuna’s case, he’s been dead for eighteen years. Warrior died in 2014.

While this hasn’t been confirmed, the rumor is that Sumi was added because McMahon wanted someone that looked like Yokozuna.