WWE stars Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes have recently been confirmed for roles in the new Street Fighter movie, with another notable wrestler, Hirooki Goto, now reported to have joined the cast. Goto, a former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and a prominent figure in Japan’s New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), is believed to be playing the character E Honda in the film.
Hirooki Goto, who spent the majority of his career with NJPW capturing multiple titles, lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Title to Zack Sabre Jr. shortly before the casting news emerged. The timing suggests Goto may be taking some time off from wrestling, as production for the Street Fighter movie is scheduled to start in August.
Details of the Roles for WWE and NJPW Stars
Roman Reigns, often referenced as the “OTC,” has been cast to portray Akuma, a fierce and iconic figure in the Street Fighter franchise. Cody Rhodes secured the role of Guile, a central character known for his disciplined military background. Hirooki Goto’s involvement as E Honda adds an additional layer of authenticity to the cast, given his wrestling credentials and popularity in Japan.
Goto’s status after his recent title loss raised speculation about injury concerns or a storyline hiatus, but his move into acting indicates a strategic break from in-ring action. With filming beginning this summer, fans anticipate seeing these wrestling stars transition into their new characters on the big screen.
Roman Reigns’ WWE Return and SummerSlam Prospects
On WWE’s RAW episode following WrestleMania 41, Roman Reigns confronted Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins but was attacked by Bron Breakker, the newcomer who joined forces with Rollins. Since this incident, Reigns has not appeared on WWE television, but rumors suggest a possible return as early as SummerSlam 2025.
WWE analyst Sam Roberts expressed excitement about a potential showdown between Reigns and Breakker at SummerSlam, calling it a compelling way to reintroduce Reigns to competition. He also voiced interest in seeing a match between Seth Rollins and CM Punk during the event.
“I wouldn’t mind Bron Breakker vs. Roman Reigns at SummerSlam. I really wouldn’t. I think that’d be fun. You know, just something to get his feet wet. Just something to get things moving. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk, Roman Reigns vs. Bron Breakker. I wouldn’t mind that,” he said.
With Triple H currently overseeing WWE’s creative direction, the future storyline plans for Roman Reigns remain uncertain, keeping fans engaged and eager to see what developments lie ahead.
The Impact of These Casting Choices on Wrestling and Film
The inclusion of top wrestling talents like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and Hirooki Goto in the Street Fighter movie highlights an interesting blend of sports entertainment and action cinema. It showcases the crossover appeal of wrestlers as performers capable of transitioning into mainstream film roles, especially in action-oriented projects.
For the wrestling community, this marks a significant moment where established champions extend their brand beyond the ring, potentially attracting new audiences to both the Street Fighter franchise and professional wrestling. As production progresses, fans and industry watchers alike will anticipate how these roles elevate the profiles of Rhodes, Reigns, and Goto while adding excitement to the upcoming film’s release.
