From MLW to WWE – how Jacob Fatu became wrestling's big name
Jacon Fatu (Image via WWE)
Jacob Fatu is one of the most exciting stars in
WWE
. He comes from the famous Anoa'i family, which includes Roman Reigns,
The Usos
, and Solo Sikoa. But before coming to WWE, Jacob had already built a strong name for himself.
He is known as 'The Samoan Werewolf' and has a very intense and powerful wrestling style.
His journey hasn't been simple. He faced tough times when he was younger, including time in jail. But wrestling changed his life. He trained hard, improved himself, and made a big mark in other wrestling companies before finally joining WWE.
The time when Jacob Fatu's WWE debut surprised everyone
Jacob Fatu
made his WWE debut on the June 21, 2024, episode of SmackDown. It was right after WWE came back from an event in Scotland. On that night, Fatu surprised everyone by attacking
Cody Rhodes
,
Randy Orton
, and
Kevin Owens
.
This shocking moment showed fans how dangerous and strong he is.
He joined
Solo Sikoa
's 'New Bloodline' group, along with Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. Fans loved Fatu's unique mix of strength, speed, and wild energy. He had his first match at Money in the Bank 2024 with Sikoa and Tonga. They beat Rhodes, Orton, and Owens in a six-man tag team match. Fatu helped get the win by pulling the referee back into the ring to count the pin.
Later, Fatu and Tonga won the WWE Tag Team Titles by defeating Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.
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Fatu hit a big moonsault to get the win. Although he later gave the title to Tonga Loa to focus on being Sikoa's enforcer, fans had already seen how skilled and tough he was.
FULL MATCH: Jacob Fatu attacks Cody Rhodes: SmackDown highlights, June 21, 2024
Fatu also started a solo rivalry with Braun Strowman and entered the 2025 Royal Rumble. He eliminated four stars, including Strowman. After beating him in a Last Man Standing match, Fatu earned a spot at WrestleMania 41, where he will face LA Knight for the United States Title.
His transition from
MLW
to WWE
Before WWE, Jacob Fatu was one of the top stars in Major League Wrestling (MLW). He joined MLW in 2019 and became World Heavyweight Champion, holding the title for 819 days. He led the powerful group Contra Unit and beat top wrestlers like LA Park and Davey Boy Smith Jr.
After losing the title in 2021, Fatu began wrestling on his own. In 2023, he won the National Openweight Championship and finished his time in MLW in early 2024.
He also had one match in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but could not travel much due to past legal issues.
In February 2024, his uncle
Rikishi
announced he was a free agent. After that, fans quickly heard rumors about him joining WWE. Due to travel issues, he stayed off TV for a while, but once WWE returned to the U.S., Fatu made his big debut.
All will be forgiven if Jacob Fatu says those special words to Solo Sikoa 😳 #SmackDown
Jacob Fatu's WWE journey has just begun, but he has already made a big impact. From surprise attacks to title wins, he is proving himself every week. At WrestleMania 41, he has a huge chance to show the world what he is truly made of.
Also Read:
WWE SmackDown preview and streaming details (06/13/25): Full match card, confirmed segments, how to watch, start timings, and more
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