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4 clusters · 15 sources · 25 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 18 days ago

Haku manages Tongas to WWE Tag Team Championship

Overview

WWE Hall of Famer Haku has returned to professional wrestling in a managerial role for his sons, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga, also known as the MFTs. While Haku made his televised return on the July 31 episode of SmackDown, Talla Tonga later revealed that the appearance had been originally scheduled for July 24 but was delayed until the week of SummerSlam once travel arrangements were finalized.

Prior to their championship success, the duo secured a victory over Nathan Frazer and Axiom on the August 13 episode of WWE Main Event. This momentum carried into the August 14 episode of SmackDown at TD Garden in Boston, where the Tongas won a triple threat match against the champions, Damian Priest and R-Truth, and the War Raiders to capture the WWE Tag Team Championships.

Following the title change, Shinsuke Nakamura released a digital exclusive on August 15, 2026, warning that the Tongas' reign would be short-lived. Nakamura teased the arrival of a mystery partner, describing the ally as ‘experienced, vicious, deadly,’ ‘pure chaos,’ and a ‘ticking time bomb.’ Visual clues, including a silhouette and a colorful jacket, have fueled speculation that the newcomer may be former New Japan Pro Wrestling standout Hiromu Takahashi, whose nickname aligns with Nakamura’s ‘ticking time bomb’ description.

Entities

WWE · Tama Tonga · Talla Tonga · Haku · Hiromu Takahashi

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Shinsuke Nakamura promised a new partner would arrive to disrupt the reign of the new tag team champions.
[● 2 SOURCES] Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga won the WWE Tag Team Championships in a triple threat match.
[● 2 SOURCES] The triple threat match included Damian Priest, R-Truth, and the War Raiders.
[● 2 SOURCES] The description of the mystery partner as a 'ticking time bomb' suggests the newcomer is Hiromu Takahashi.
[● 2 SOURCES] Hiromu Takahashi completed his commitments with New Japan Pro Wrestling in February 2026.

Timeline

18 days ago

[SPORTS] 4 sources
Haku's WWE SmackDown return was delayed from July 24
WWE Hall of Famer Haku returned on SmackDown to manage his sons, Tama and Talla Tonga, following a delayed debut originally planned for July 24.
28 days ago

[SPORTS] 8 sources
Shinsuke Nakamura teases mystery partner to challenge new WWE Tag Team Champions
Shinsuke Nakamura has teased the arrival of a mystery partner to challenge new WWE Tag Team Champions Tama and Talla Tonga, with clues strongly suggesting the return of Hiromu Takahashi.
29 days ago

[SPORTS] 4 sources
Haku returns to WWE as manager for Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga
WWE legend Haku has returned as a manager for Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga, leading them to a recent victory on Main Event and a title opportunity on SmackDown.
about 1 month ago

[SPORTS] 3 sources
Haku Returns to WWE to Manage Sons Tama and Talla Tonga
Haku returns to WWE as manager of his sons Tama and Talla Tonga, who have just won both AAA and WWE Tag Team titles, prompting speculation about a larger storyline involving The Rock.

Sources

catch-arena.com · ewrestling.com · fightful.com · hindi.sportskeeda.com · ringsidenews.com · si.com · solowrestling.com · sportskeeda.com · tjrwrestling.net · wrestlezone.com · wrestlingInc.com · wrestlinginc.com · wrestlingnewsreport.com · wrestlingnewssource.com · WrestlingObserver.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history