wrestling / News
WWE Reportedly Signs Sumo & Football Athlete Hidetora Hanada
October 27, 2026 | Posted by
Image Credit: WWE
WWE has reportedly signed a new international prospect in Japanese athlete Hidetora Hanada. PWInsider Elite reports (per WrestlePurists) that the company has signed Hanada to an NXT deal.
Hanada was born in Japan and played football for Colorado State, while also competing in sumo. He was part of the 2018 World Games in Japan, the 2019 Games in Taiwan, and the 2022 World Games in Alabama, transitioning into football in 2022. According to WrestlePurists, Handa had tried out for the NFL but failed to get picked up by a team.
Hanada, who is 6’1″ and 280 pounds, signed a WWE NIL deal in February of 2025. He visited WWE Headquarters as seen in a post on his Instagram from May of the same year before he graduated from college in December.
