Hikuleo Says There’s A Lot He Can Still Do In Japan, Comments On Jay White Rumors

Hikuleo comments on the rumors about him and Jay White ahead of their Loser Leaves Japan Match.

Hikuleo comments on the rumors about him and Jay White ahead of their Loser Leaves Japan Match.

White and Hikuleo used to be stablemates in Bullet Club, but the powerhouse left the group in 2022. After White lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Kazuchika Okada at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, he blamed Hikuleo for the defeat. He then attacked Hikuleo at NJPW New Year Dash!! and challenged him to a Loser Leaves Japan Match. The two stars will clash at NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. Shortly after he threw down the gauntlet, Fightful Select reported that WWE was interested in Hikuleo, and White was set to leave NJPW.

Speaking with NJPW’s official website, Hikuleo somewhat addressed the rumors. He made it clear that staying in Japan is important to him because he still has a lot to learn. Hikuleo also emphasized that there’s still a lot he can achieve there.

“It goes back to me being early on in my career. I’ve still got so much to learn. I only just came back in the fall of 2022, and the amount of reps I can get, the discipline I can develop, the things that I can achieve in Japan? There’s still so much that I have to do, still,” Hikuleo said.

Hikuleo was also asked for his response to the rumors. He highlighted White’s value before he stated that he’s focused on winning the bout. Hikuleo stated that the victory could have a major impact on his career, as being able to say that he’s the one who forced White to leave Japan could take him to a new level.

“I know that Jay is valuable anywhere. It’s nice to know that I am too. But at the end of the day, this is about winning. At the end of that day in Osaka, one of us is leaving Japan, and people will remember tat for a long time to come. It’s destiny. When you think of what Jay White has achieved in the last five years, it puts us on entirely different levels, and I can instantly make my value skyrocket if I’m the guy that made Jay White leave Japan,” Hikuleo said.

White is set to face Eddie Kingston at NJPW Battle in the Valley. More information is available here.

Fightful will have coverage of The New Beginning in Osaka as it airs.

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