Lance Anoa'i Receiving WWE Criticism: "He May Not Make It" (WWE News)

Lance Anoa'i has received criticism behind the scenes in WWE, with some feeling that he "may not make it" in the market-leading promotion.

Dave Meltzer reported as much on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, adding that he hadn't heard anything negative about Hikuleo, who is in a similar situation to Anoa'i in that he has been signed to WWE for several months but hasn't been used yet.

WWE inked Anoa'i to a contract in the Summer of 2024 but was injured soon after. On 8 March, Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp stated that Lance was "expected out until about now." On Hikuleo, Sapp reported this week that although the big man has been signed to WWE for months, "he wasn't factored into creative plans upon him being signed."

Anoa'i is the son of Samu of the Wild Samoans and Headshrinkers. At 34, he has been an active wrestler since 2010, with his most notable work taking place on the US independent scene and for Major League Wrestling. He has also made several cameos for WWE over the years, most recently on 27 May 2019, when he wrestled Shane McMahon on Raw as part of a wider angle involving Roman Reigns.

Hikuleo, meanwhile, has even closer familial ties in WWE, being the half-brother of current Bloodline member Tama Tonga and adopted brother of Tonga Loa. He last wrestled in June 2024, dropping the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Titles to close his run with New Japan.

Both wrestlers have understandably been linked with WWE's ongoing Bloodline saga. Currently, however, it doesn't sound like either is particularly close to making it to television.