Ex-NRL star Vidot set to wrestle in Japan

Former NRL star Daniel Vidot has been selected to compete in All Japan Pro Wrestling’s prestigious Champion Carnival tournament.

Brisbane-born Vidot, 35, will compete in the 18-man round-robin tournament for the first time having made his promotional debut in a tag team match on 29 March.

The former Samoa international and current USA team member, who wrestles as Xyon, walked away from a lucrative rugby career in 2017 before joining industry-leading WWE in 2018 and stayed with the company until 2024. 

Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday, the ex-Canberra Raiders ace said: “I’m very excited for the Champion Carnival 2025, I believe that this year’s edition will be the best in AJPW’s history.”

The former WWE NXT title challenger pinpointed who he sees as the biggest threats in the competition. 

The Champion Carnival 2025 entrants

“Hideki Suzuki, I’ve worked with him in WWE, there’s the Saito brothers (Jun and Rei). Of course there’s Kento, I’m very excited to step into the ring with all these warriors. Davey Boy Smith Jr. has a rich history in the sport, and I've looked up to him for a few years. We have unfinished business. If I can beat him, it would do wonders for me and boost my confidence. May the best man win.”

Vidot ventured to Japan in September to hone his skills in the squared circle and went to watch Samoa against Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.  

Daniel Vidot AKA Xyon with the Champion Carnival trophy on Wednesday

The tournament will start on Wednesday 9 April at Korakuen Hall and will air LIVE on AJPW's streaming service AJPW TV. AJPW's 6ft 2in, 17-stone newcomer starts his campaign on 12 April against Japanese brute Kuma Arashi in Fukuoka and faces his former mentor Hideki Suzuki on 29 April in Okayama.

Vidot will hope to be in the mix for the tournament semi-finals and final which will take place on 18 May at Ota City General Gymnasium.