WWE SmackDown kicked off with General Manager Nick Aldis announcing to the San Jose crowd that the heated grudge match between Drew McIntyre and the “Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu will have higher stakes this Friday night. For all the marbles, Fatu and McIntyre will try to outlast one another for a shot at becoming the number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship, held by the “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes. Jacob Fatu being injured was all but a rumor until tonight happened.
Last week on SmackDown, Fatu made it crystal clear that he wants next against Rhodes, before getting battered by McIntyre, which led to this match. Drew, on the other hand, is still extremely bitter about not regaining the Undisputed WWE Title at Wrestlepalooza, blaming everyone else but him, which Fatu called out, thus starting this whole rivalry.
In the main event of the evening, Fatu’s music would hit, but there was no Jacob to be found. Backstage, we see a battered Fatu, bloodied around the mouth. This series of events led to an impromptu Undisputed WWE Championship Match between Cody Rhodes and would-be challenger Drew McIntyre. The segment would end WWE SmackDown in San Jose.
This pivot all but confirms Jacob Fatu’s injury, which was reported by Bodyslam.net, that will keep the “Samoan Werewolf” out of action until 2026. As the article mentioned, the injury was sustained through a non-wrestling means. We hope for a speedy recovery for Jacob Fatu and await an official statement from the promotion.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on the WWE SmackDown, Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, Drew McIntyre, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments), and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).
