A time honored tradition for New Japan Pro Wrestling is to send their Young Lions (rookies) to other promotions to further their skill set. Ring Of Honor has served as a home base for many of these talents, notably SHO & YOH of Roponngi 3K and Hiromu Takahashi (then known as Kamitachi).
The latest Young Lion to work with Ring Of Honor is Hikuleo, a 6’8 tongan monster, who is part of the Fifita Wresting Dynasty, with his uncle being Tonga ‘Uli’uli Fifita, better known as Meng or Haku. Hikuleo is also related to Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa, who he teams with as part of Bullet Club. From what I’ve seen of his in-ring work, he’s got potential but just needs experience, he’s still very much a rookie.
‘A Waste Of Money’
As shared by Bullet Club member (and honorary Tongan) Chase Owens, the General Manager of Ring of Honor, Greg Gilleland called the rookie ‘A waste of money’ during a conversation Owens had with him trying to sort out an issue involving rooming. Disrespecting anyone related to Meng is a recipe for disaster, but disrespecting one of NJPW’s rookies is not a good look for a company who is on a consistent downward spiral. NJPW might be apprehensive to send talent to Ring of Honor for experience after comments like this being made public.
NJPW has been planning their expansion into the United States, and it’s a possibility that they might soon outgrow their need for a partnership with Ring Of Honor. They still have Revolution Pro Wrestling in the UK & CMLL in Mexico as hubs to send their young talents too for extra experience before they will be fully ingratiated into the NJPW roster. Fans are holding their breath for a partnership between NJPW & All Elite Wrestling, but that doesn’t seem like it will happen anytime soon.
NJPW talent are also not impressed with this. Will Ospreay also took to Twitter to say “Look Bullet Club, CHAOS, LIJ whatever faction that you belong to. History shows the Young Lion system works. Hikuleo maybe in different groups but he is a future star.”
Greg Gilleland
This is far from the first negative thing we’ve heard from Greg Gilleland as of late, with him being the main person being put on blast by former ROH employee Joey Mercury, as he is the person supposed to be in charge of ensuring the show is running properly, which it absolutely isn’t given all the negative news surrounding the once fan favorite promotion.
With the negative press piling up, we can only hope ROH will decide to replace Greg Gilleland with someone who treats talent with respect, provides proper security for events, and ensures there is medical staff on site for shows. The biggest news here is calling Hikuleo a waste of money when you just gave Matt Taven a six figure contract though.
