WWE has reportedly signed another athlete with an unusual sporting background. Hidetora Hanada has taken the next step in his athletic career after competing in two very different sports.

Hanada has taken an unusual path to WWE. His athletic career includes international sumo competitions, American college football, and an attempt to make it to the NFL.

WWE reportedly signs Hidetora Hanada following his 2025 NIL deal

According to PWInsider, WWE has signed Hanada, who played college football for Colorado State University while continuing to compete in sumo wrestling. His signing comes into effect after he spent time building a relationship with WWE through its Name, Image, and Next in Line (NIL) program.

Hanada first connected with WWE in 2025. He signed an NIL deal with the company in February that year. That gave him a chance to explore pro wrestling while completing his college sports commitments.

In May 2025, Hanada visited WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. He even shared the visit on social media after previously taking part in a WWE tryout.

His college career ended in December 2025 when he graduated from Colorado State University. With his football commitments behind him, Hanada has now reportedly signed with WWE and is ready to begin a new chapter in sports entertainment.

WWE has increasingly recruited athletes from outside pro wrestling lately. Hanada’s experience in both sumo wrestling and American football makes him an interesting addition. He has also competed internationally.

Born in Japan, Hanada started competing in sumo during high school. He won gold medals at the Junior World Sumo Championships in both 2018 and 2019. He also won the All-Japan Championship during his freshman year at university.

Hidetora Hanada went on to represent Japan at the 2018 World Championships in his home country and the 2019 competition in Taiwan. He later competed at the 2022 World Games in Alabama, where he won gold in the heavyweight division.

Hanada left Japan to pursue American football in the United States. He joined Colorado State University and played defensive line for the Rams. He also tried to reach the NFL through the International Player Pathway program but did not secure a spot with a team.

The post WWE’s New Signing Has a Background Few Wrestlers Can Match — Report appeared first on Wrestlezone.