Former Sumo Champion and CSU Lineman Hidetora Hanada Signs WWE NIL Deal

The WWE's 'Next In Line' program offers Hanada a pathway to professional wrestling alongside an internship tied to his college studies.

Hidetora Hanada, a Colorado State University defensive lineman and former sumo champion, has accepted a WWE NIL contract under its 'Next In Line' initiative.
Hanada attended the WWE Royal Rumble event in Indianapolis, where he experienced the production side of professional wrestling firsthand.
The deal includes an internship with WWE, allowing Hanada to gain practical experience as part of his coursework at CSU.
Before joining CSU football, Hanada achieved major success in sumo wrestling, including a gold medal at the 2022 World Games and an amateur yokozuna title in 2020.
WWE's NIL program, launched in 2021, aims to recruit elite athletes from various sports and has previously signed notable figures like Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson.