While some WWE fans have been critical of the product in 2025, the year hasn’t been without its highlights, especially the rise of several superstars. While Bron Breakker, Dominik Mysterio, Tiffany Stratton, and Stephanie Vaquer all reached new heights, there was arguably no one who received a more significant elevation at the beginning of the new year than Jacob Fatu.
Roots and Early Beginnings
Born in San Francisco, California, Fatu is the son of Sam Fatu, who was known professionally in the WWE as The Tonga Kid and Tama. Both of his uncles, Rikishi and Umaga, also wrestled for the company.
The list of relatives also extends to active wrestlers, with cousins Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey), Solo Sikoa, and Nia Jax all on the main roster. The Rock is also a cousin, and all superstars are part of The Bloodline. His lineage has been an intricate part of the storylines in which Fatu has been involved.
The journey Fatu has taken to get to the WWE is one of the most intriguing aspects of the superstar. While serving time for armed robbery at the age of 18, Fatu witnessed his cousins, The Usos, debut on Monday Night Raw. Seeing them on a prison TV screen changed everything, inspiring him to follow in their footsteps and become a wrestler.
After his release, Fatu began training under his uncle, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, at the KnokX Pro Academy. He officially made his professional debut on the independent circuit in 2012. The most notable moments in his wrestling career outside of WWE were spent in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he was, and still is, the longest reigning MLW World Heavyweight Champion at 819 days.
It wasn’t just Fatu’s title dominance or in-ring leadership persona that WWE found most attractive, but his athletic ability despite being listed at 285 pounds.
The Werewolf Howls
Fatu made his highly anticipated WWE debut on June 21, 2024, during the main event on SmackDown, where he viciously attacked Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens, saving his cousin Solo Sikoa. He catapulted up the ladder, defeating DIY to win the Tag Team Championship alongside Tama Tonga.
Fatu’s biggest individual accomplishment to date came at this past WrestleMania, where he defeated LA Knight for the United States Championship, winning the first singles title in his career. But since that incredible victory, it feels like WWE has faltered in the way they have booked him.
At the Money in the Bank PLE, Fatu turned on Solo Sikoa, attacking him and costing him the briefcase in the Money in the Bank ladder match, making the transition from heel to face. Fatu lost the United States Championship to Sikoa at Night of Champions and failed to regain the title in a steel cage rematch at SummerSlam.
Since then, Fatu seemed to be relegated to mid-card status, wrestling only once more as part of a six-man tag team alongside Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso against Sikoa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga in August.
Despite the initial seeds of a feud with Drew McIntyre being planted, Fatu made his final appearance shortly before being sidelined in October for dental surgery. Our last glimpse of Fatu was of him following a backstage attack by an unknown assailant, covered in blood, with several teeth alongside him.
The Comeback
After missing the last two months, online speculation suggests Fatu will return early in 2026. Considering his dynamic character and popularity as a fan favourite, WWE will need to craft his return properly.
First things first, WWE needs to disclose the identity of Fatu’s attacker and have the storyline take no more than a couple of weeks, perhaps in a similar fashion to how they revealed Jade Cargill’s assailant to be Naomi at this year’s Elimination Chamber. Drew McIntyre has stated that he is not the attacker, and having a plotline with unexpected twists benefits everyone.
Having perhaps Randy Orton, who has had numerous feuds with members of The Bloodline since 2022, revealed as Fatu’s assailant would allow both superstars to be elevated as top cards. Orton hasn’t been seen in WWE since approximately the same time as Fatu, making a connection between the two more plausible. Whoever the culprit is, they need to be unmasked early on.
Although WWE flirted with Fatu as a face shortly before his hiatus, his persona as a mixed character leaning towards heel offers the most dynamic approach for him. Fans love the unpredictability of Fatu, and having him turn away from his family connections would offer fresh storyline opportunities, allowing him to showcase his intense “monster-like” character and in-ring athleticism.
WWE fans have come to expect “all gas, no brakes” from Fatu. He needs to explode onto the scene with a purpose, announcing his return by asserting his imposing nature.
Following the reveal of his attacker and an ensuing feud with whoever it is revealed to be, Fatu deserves to be fighting for a premier individual title, perhaps for the WWE Undisputed Championship against Cody Rhodes.
It’s been rumored that a third showdown will be taking place at WrestleMania 42 between Rhodes and Roman Reigns. Should this bout take place, a storyline exists for Fatu regardless of who emerges as the champion. Fatu has been eyeing taking down Rhodes for the title for some time, and having a “blood feud” between Reigns and Fatu for a belt would also be electric.
WWE has a golden opportunity to hard reset Jacob Fatu’s character upon his return in 2026, recapturing the dynamic energy that turned him into a fan favorite during his initial run. During that time, one of the industry’s icons had taken notice. In an interview earlier this year, The Undertaker praised Fatu’s undeniable magnetism:
“Jacob, he hasn’t even scratched the surface. I love watching Jacob. I mean, he’s got that thing. He’s got ‘it.’ When he’s on TV, you want to see what he’s doing. So again, he is another one who just scratched the surface of where he has the potential to go.”
The “Samoan Werewolf” must return to WWE as the same unpredictable, merciless powerhouse he once was when he first stormed onto the scene. If handled correctly, WWE can position Fatu as the breakout star of the future. 2026 is set to be the Year of the Werewolf.
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