For the past several weeks, Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns have been battling for Reigns’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Throughout the feud, Fatu has been especially violent, using the Tongan Death Grip on Reigns and the Usos. They fought at Backlash, where Reigns retained his championship. However, Fatu attacked him afterward, extending their feud. On the May 18, 2026 episode of Monday Night Raw, the two met again with a surprise ending.
Fatu suggested Tribal Combat, a vicious match type where everything is legal with no count-outs or disqualifications. Jey, Jimmy and Raw General Manager Adam Pearce tried to reason with Reigns about why the match is a bad idea. But he accepted the offer, with the two now battling in Tribal Combat one week from Sunday at Clash in Italy.
Reigns has experience in the match type, but Fatu’s destructive nature could help him be victorious in the match. Whatever happens, the match will be one to watch for everyone.
Reigns Has Already Been Through Tribal Combat Twice
When Jey, Jimmy, and Pearce tried to talk Reigns out of Tribal Combat, they weren’t doing it because of what Fatu had done. They did it because they know how much the match affects his body.
He’s participated in two Tribal Combats in his WWE career. The first match was at SummerSlam in 2023, where he defeated Jey for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He participated in another one in the Raw on Netflix premiere in 2025, defeating Solo Sikoa for the Ula Fala that is held in high regard by the Samoan culture.
He’s been in two Tribal Combat matches, and he’s won them both. Perhaps that’s why he was so willing to accept the match. It may be extremely hard on him, but he knows how to win the match as well. However, on the other side of the ring is a man who has no fear of beating people up. He’ll have to use his athleticism and strength to retain his championship.
The Match is Exactly What Fatu Wanted
Leading up to their match at Backlash, Reigns gave Fatu a clear message. He wasn’t going to give him a title shot because of familial relations and because he wasn’t ready for the responsibility of carrying the title. In response, he gave him the Tongan Death Grip and a fight at Backlash. Afterward, he attacked him and provoked him in the following weeks. Reigns was scared, publicly questioning why he was even allowed to compete in WWE.
There was no other ending to their confrontation other than declaring a Tribal Combat match. Everyone knows what he can do inside and outside the ring. He isn’t afraid of Reigns and is willing to put his body on the line to win another title potentially. Reigns might think he has him scared and backed into a corner.
But that’s when he does his best work as a professional wrestler. Fatu thrives on pressure and tense situations, which is why he could have the advantage in Tribal Combat.
Who Will Win This Much-Anticipated Match?
There is a really strong case for both men to win the Tribal Combat match at Clash in Italy. Reigns clearly has the edge with experience in this match type. He’s competed against Jey and Sikoa, and he’s walked out victorious both times. He knows how much being a champion means to both him and his family, so winning is the only option. But Fatu also has a distinct advantage heading into the match.
For the past month, he has been berated by Reigns while also losing to him at Backlash. He made the match out of anger, but it wasn’t unintentional. The one way to get back at Reigns for everything he’s said and done is to face him in Tribal Combat, where everything is legal.
If it were just a regular match, he probably would’ve been disqualified at some point. But in Tribal Combat, nothing is off limits. No matter what happens, Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns will have another amazing match with each other.
