Latest news with #JacobFatu
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Bron Breakker, Jacob Fatu And The 5 Next Faces Of WWE
Bron Breakker should benefit greatly from the absence of Seth Rollins. (Credit: Heather ... More McLaughlin/WWE via Getty Images) WWE is already strapping the proverbial rocket to Bron Breakker and Jacob Fatu, but they won't be alone. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t both Breakker and Fatu, along with Rhea Ripley, are being positioned as WWE's next top stars. In the case of Ripley, one could argue she's already there. She's a three-time women's world champion on the main roster and has been cemented as one of the biggest stars on Monday Night Raw over the past few years. While Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes have been the main two driving forces behind WWE's boom period over the past decade, Ripley is one of a handful of other stars who've been right beside them. Still, as John Cena nears retirement while Rhodes and Reigns continue to dip their toes into Hollywood, WWE is in a major transitional period right now. These stars are the closest thing WWE has to a next 'face of the company,' and it could happen sooner rather than later. Liv Morgan As is the case with Ripley, Liv Morgan is essentially already one of WWE's cornerstones, but she isn't always mentioned in that conversation. Morgan, a former three-time world champion herself, recently landed her first major movie role and reportedly wowed the filming crew with her performance. That's not a surprise given Morgan's roles in cinema-style storylines in WWE over the past several years, most notably her love triangle with Ripley and Dominik Mysterio. As Morgan has developed her acting chops during her decade in WWE, she's also developed into one of the most well-rounded performers in the entire company. In fact, Morgan has been the glue that's held WWE's women's division together during the long-term absences of stars like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. While Morgan's WWE resume isn't quite as impressive as those stars, she's still just 31 years old, already has a list of Hall of Fame-worthy accomplishments and is becoming a household name both in and out of the pro wrestling circles. Trick Williams A sign of strange times in pro wrestling, WWE NXT star Trick Williams is currently holding the TNA World Championship, a true testament to WWE's faith in him as a potential future face of the company. Indeed, there have long been reports that WWE views Williams, a former football player and standout athlete, as a WrestleMania main eventer in the making. Williams certainly has the look, the athletic pedigree and the charisma to get there, but WWE will never truly know what it has in Williams until he's officially promoted to Raw or SmackDown. The one thing that might hold Williams back is his in-ring skills, which aren't progressing quite as quickly as other rising stars in WWE. Yet, WWE fans have seen time and time again that stars dripping in charisma can make it to the top before their in-ring skills match their crowd connection or in-ring abilities. Williams could follow a similar path because if his wrestling skills catch up with everything else, he truly is a possible generational talent. Bron Breakker There's a reason why Bron Breakker has long been considered to be someone WWE can build its future around: he's the total package. Breakker has the look, the in-ring skills and the crowd connection that make him a virtual shoo-in to be a main eventer and world champion contender for the next decade-plus. The recent injury to Breakker's stablemate Seth Rollins, which has resulted in an even bigger spotlight on Breakker, is only going to expedite the process. Breakker is on track for a mega match involving Reigns at SummerSlam in just a couple of weeks, and that's a sign of things to come. Still just 27 years old, Breakker has developed into a human highlight reel over the past year, and he's only getting started. If he isn't headlining WrestleMania within the next year or two, someone in WWE creative will have dropped the ball. Stephanie Vaquer Stephanie Vaquer has been on WWE's main roster for a cup of coffee, but it's already clear that she's one of the biggest stars in the women's division. The former NXT standout is quickly generating some of the loudest crowd reactions in WWE, especially with her Devil's Kiss move, and in a matter of mere months, she's developed an incredible connection with WWE's fan base. Whatever 'it' is, Vaquer has it, and WWE fans are already recognizing it. Even with limited English, Vaquer is already improving in the promo department, too, which is the final piece of the puzzle to make her a five-tool player. Vaquer will challenge for a women's world title at next month's Clash in Paris event, demonstrating that she's already perhaps just a match away from reaching the mountaintop. With the right feud, Vaquer is all but guaranteed to solidify herself as a top act by next year's WrestleMania, if not sooner. Jacob Fatu Speaking of meteoric rises, Jacob Fatu, in the span of roughly one year, already ranks among WWE's biggest babyfaces. In fact, WWE recently began a massive marketing push for the Samoan star, who has that type of rapport with the crowd that is almost indescribable. Part of Fatu's virtually instantaneous success on SmackDown is that everything he does, from his promos to his in-ring work, feels incredibly authentic. Nothing Fatu does seems forced or fake, so it's been easy for WWE fans of all ages and backgrounds to be able to relate to him. Throw in a feud with Solo Sikoa's hated stable and some stellar highlight-filled matches, and all of the ingredients are there for Fatu to be a world champion sooner rather than later. Much like Reigns, he should headline a number of WrestleManias, win a handful of world titles and remain a prominent fixture in the main event scene for as long as he's in WWE.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Current WWE Champion Arrested During SmackDown After Apparent Car Crash
WWE Men's United States Champion Solo Sikoa was arrested during WWE SmackDown after an apparent car crash. The episode started with an accident just outside the arena which left Solo Sikoa and the rest of his faction in shock. SmackDown General Manager Adam Pearce was stunned with the entire incident and Tonga Loa even had an injury on his forehead. Solo Sikoa was quick to point the finger at Jacob Fatu and accused him of causing the accident. However, by the end of the night, it was Solo Sikoa who was arrested inside the arena after it emerged that he faked the entire accident. Sikoa will also be defending his WWE Men's United States title inside a steel cage against Jacob Fatu at SummerSlam. The first ever two-night WWE SummerSlam will take place on on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. A look at the updated WWE SummerSlam match card - John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE Women's Championship Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship Naomi (c) vs. IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria for the Women's Intercontinental Championship Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu for the Men's United States Championship in a Steel Cage Match The Judgment Day (c) vs. Allies of Convenience for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE SmackDown results (7/18/2025): A chaotic contract signing with John Cena and Cody Rhodes, Stephanie Vaquer wins, and more
Cody Rhodes and John Cena (Image via WWE) With SummerSlam a little over two weeks away, WWE is full steam ahead. And this means, this week's Friday Night SmackDown is basically a stepping stone for the upcoming Premium Live Event. From the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, the July 18 edition of SmackDown was already going to be an important one, as fans already knew of John Cena and Cody Rhodes coming together to sign their SummerSlam contract. Along with these two heavyweights, fans also got to feast on some exciting match cards, so let's get in with it already. The night started with a segment starring the MFTs, who had been in a car accident. SmackDown GM Adam Pearce and a few cops are seen talking to the stable where Solo Sikoa asks Pearce to get Jacob Fatu. But soon enough, the night moves towards its first fight when Charlotte Flair is seen backstage with Alexa Bliss , where the former tells the latter that she has gotten them a shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles at SummerSlam. Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez Charlotte Flair and Raquel Rodriguez face each other inside the ring while Alexa Bliss and Roxanne Perez are standing outside. Both women seem to have a similar standing in the game, with neither being able to gain an upper hand. Perez tries to launch a sneak attack, but Bliss is there to take care of that. Finally, just when Perez thought she could create a distraction, Bliss hits Rodriguez with one of her pompoms, and Flair uses this opportunity to roll her for a pin and win. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair (Image via WWE) Charlotte Flair wins via pinfall against Raquel Rodriguez. The backstage segment with the MFTs starts again, and the cops take Jacob Fatu with them in suspicion of the accident earlier. Things then turn to Carmelo Hayes and Damian Priest, who, "Earlier Today," we're seen having a confrontation before a fight is announced between them. Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest Carmelo Hayes started with a right hand into Damian Priest's back even before the bell rang, but Priest was not one to take it quietly. He retaliated with a big foot and the tone of the night was set. At the end, Priest slams Hayes face-first into the announce desk, and just as he was about to go for an Old School, Alistair Black shows up and trips Priest. Damian Priest wins against Carmelo Hayes by disqualification Jacob Fatu returns to SmackDown after SNME The MFTs are seen taking to the ring after the alleged car accident, where Solo Sikoa lays it on thick, blaming Jacob Fatu for what went down. But out of nowhere, Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu pop out from a police car, and everyone gets to know that Fatu had been cleared of all suspicion because of security footage. Fatu is inside the ring soon enough, and with Uso sneaking behind the MFTs, all hell breaks loose. Pearce is seen calling the cops when things get out of hand, and Sikoa is seen being led out by the cops for staging the earlier car crash. And the Steel Cage match between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu at SummerSlam is also officially announced. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre Possibly for the shortest match of the night, Stephanie Vaquer faces Alba Fyre of the Secret Hervice with Piper Niven watching. They go after each other from the very beginning, but Vaquer is definitely the one with the upper hand here and soon goes for the Devil's Kiss, and then a package backbreaker. Though Fyre manages to give the slip the first time, the second time becomes too much, and Vaquer manages to get the three count after pinning her. Stephanie Vaquer wins via pinfall against Alba Fyre. Piper Niven, of course, comes after Vaquer, but the latter shoves her off. And though Niven tries to go after her again, Fyre stops her. Meanwhile, the Wyatt Sicks are seen trolling the Street Profits after their loss last week, right before a four-way tag team match is set to take center stage. Andrade and Rey Fenix vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Fraxiom vs. #DIY To determine the #1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship, #DIY's Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, Rey Fenix & Andrade tag team, Fraxiom's Nathan Frazer and Axiom, and Motor City Machine Guns' Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley take to the ring. MCMG and Fraxiom are at it when #DIY jumps them. This brings Andrade and Rey Fenix into the mix as well. It's chaos inside the ring, but what else can we expect? Lastly, fans see Andrade hitting Ciampa with The Message and taking the win. Andrade & Rey Fenix are the new #1 contenders to the WWE Tag titles defeating MCMG, Fraxiom, and #DIY. John Cena and Cody Rhodes' SummerSlam contract signing Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for. Adam Pearce brings Cody Rhodes to the stage who right away signs the SummerSlam contract. He then asks the crowd, "What do you want to talk about?' He talks to the crowd for a while before Pearce brings John Cena out. And it's not what anyone is expecting. Cena tells everyone that Hollywood has been draining these days, and so, he won't be at SummerSlam. Everyone is shocked, but Cena goes on to say that maybe they can have the rematch later, but he won't be signing the contract now, as he does not intend to show up at the New Jersey event. He goes to walk away, and that's when things take a turn. Fans see Rhodes charging up the ramp and attacking Cena from behind. It's a mess, as both men try to gain the edge over the other. Cena tries to use his championship belt as a weapon, but Rhodes is not having that and grabs it from his opponent, smashing Cena with it. He then climbs the top rope and does a Frog Splash, driving Cena through the announcer's table. He then grabs a pen and forces Cena to sign the SummerSlam contract. The night ends with Cody Rhodes holding on to the Undisputed Champion belt. Also Read: WWE SummerSlam 2025 just got bloodier as Solo Sikoa v Jacob Fatu 2.0 moves inside the Steel Cage Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Forbes
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
WWE SmackDown Full Results And Grades
John Cena and Cody Rhodes SummerSlam 2025 contract signing. WWE SmackDown advertised a contract signing between John Cena and Cody Rhodes ahead of their WWE Championship rematch at SummerSlam. SmackDown also advertised Jacob Fatu's return and Stephanie Vaquer in action. Last week's broadcast of SmackDown did 1.399 million viewers for July 11, 2025. WWE SmackDown Ratings And Viewership WWE SmackDown Results On July 18, 2025 WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales WWE SmackDown Highlights, Winners And Grades Charlotte Flair Def. Raquel Rodriguez SmackDown opened, not with the arrivals, but with a crime scene as there had been a car accident. San Antonio police were speaking with MFT as they were searching for answers. Backstage, Charlotte Flair begrudgingly asked her 'not-friend' Alexa Bliss to corner her against Raquel Rodriguez. The two will have a Women's Tag Team Championship match at SummerSlam. Roxanne Perez tried distracting Flair by jumping on the apron, but Flair barreled into Perez and sent her to the floor. Bliss took advantage of this distraction to hit Rodriguez with one of her pom-poms, helping Charlotte win. Backstage, San Antonio's finest wanted to speak with Jacob Fatu, a situation that he's familiar with. Damian Priest Def. Carmelo Hayes By DQ Carmelo Hayes came out of the brakes hot, but Damian Priest cut him off with a big boot before Priest even took his robe off. Carmelo Hayes shined throughout this match, like when he got the crowd riled up by (sarcastically) tuning up the band for Sweet Chin Music in homage to San Antonio's own Shawn Michaels. The more Joe Tessitore talked up the possibility of Carmelo scoring a 'signature upset,' the less I believed it was going to happen. A 'This is awesome' type match ended in disqualification when Aleister Black hit Damian Priest with the Black Mass two times. Carmelo backed down from Black as fans chanted 'You suck!' at Aleister. 'I heard you're looking for me,' said Black. Solo Sikoa Appears Live There was massive heat for Solo Sikoa, who spent his promo accusing Jacob Fatu of being guilty of SmackDown's car accident shenanigans. 'Once a criminal, always a criminal,' said Solo. Fans also gave Solo the 'What' treatment. Mid-promo, Fatu was shown as being released by the 'Punk-ass police,' as Fatu called them. He was accompanied by Jimmy Uso, who also jumped MFT from behind. Fatu and Jimmy hit four super kicks and an assisted cross body to finally knock Talla Tonga off his feet. Fatu obliterated Solo, but was cut off by JC Mateo before he could pillmanize him. Fatu beat down the MFTs with a steel chair. This brought out Adam Pearce, who announced a US Title match between Fatu and Solo at SummerSlam. To add incarceration to injury, Solo Sikoa was arrested. Stephanie Vaquer Def. Alba Fyre Stephanie Vaquer hit the Devil's Kiss early in the match, even though Tessitore told Wade Barrett not to get his hopes up. She then finished off Alba Fyre with an SVB in what was essentially a squash match. Vaquer fought off the Secret Hervice after the match and posed as the announcers talked up her future championship match at Clash in Paris. Andrade And Rey Fenix Def. MCMG, DIY And Fraxiom Rey Fenix was fully covered like Rey Mysterio at Halloween Havoc '97. This was a party match with every team taking turns getting their stuff in. Very entertaining, but fans treated this as more of a comedown match as John Cena and Cody Rhodes were on deck. Coming out of commercial break, Rey Fenix singlehandedly got this crowd into this match with an insane Lucha Libre comeback. Gargano misfired on a superkick on Ciampa. This opened the door for Fenix to fly to the outside with The Message on Gargano. Andrade picked up the win. If this wasn't a one-match rehabilitation mission for Fenix in WWE, it was close. I consider this an upset as it earned Fenix and Andrade a Tag Team Title match in Johnny Gargano's hometown of Cleveland, OH. Cody Rhodes And John Cena Contract Signing Cody Rhodes was slightly booed, but he still said 'I appreciate the reception," unironically. He noted his father and brother were Texans, and got huge pops. Cody said he did not flinch in a variety of trying situations, including when the Final Boss tried to use politics to steal his soul. Fans went wild for John Cena, dressed in a San Antonio Spurs-influenced t-shirt. Cena is still playing a heel. Cena insisted he will not be at SummerSlam since he is filming a big movie for Netflix in New York City. Cena is 'Emotionally exhausted,' and the Netflix team felt that he should not continue to exhaust himself. Fans were furious. Cena thanked the fans and said he appreciated their understanding. They booed the heel out of him as he attempted to leave the arena. Heel commentator Wade Barrett celebrated when babyface Cody Rhodes chased down Cena and attacked him. Cena quickly took control of Cody red socks and attempted to hit Cody with the title. Cody absconded the title and pulled the trigger, hitting Cena in the head with it. Cody hit a flying splash through the table and forced Cena to sign the contract to a huge pop. 'Check the fine print, it's not just a match for the title at SummerSlam. It's a Street Fight!' said Cody.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE SummerSlam 2025 just got bloodier as Solo Sikoa v Jacob Fatu 2.0 moves inside the Steel Cage
Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa (Image via WWE) WWE 's next big event in the run, SummerSlam 2025, is what anyone can talk about. The two-night event scheduled for Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025, is the 38th edition of this annual event and the buzz around it is exciting to say the least. And now the latest update has gotten fans even more thrilled. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu will be facing each other again since Sikoa won the WWE United States Champion title belt from Fatu at the Night of Champions. And this time, things are going to be bloodier. Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam will be a Steel Cage match Jacob Fatu has broken away from Solo Sikoa's faction, which is now the MFT - My Family Tree. And of course, this has not gone well with Sikoa or his 'family members'. More so, since Fatu actually came up to help Jimmy Uso after Sikoa and the MFT beat him when Uso challenged the current WWE United States Champion for his title. Not one to shy away from a good fight, the company has now decided to have Fatu and Sikoa face each other again. According to WrestleVotes, SummerSlam 2025, which will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will see Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu enter a Steel Cage match titled "Blood vs Blood." After the Night of Champions match in June, and then a subsequent confrontation at the Saturday Night Main Event, SummerSlam will be the next big stage for an explosive fight between these two heavyweights. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo SummerSlam 2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling weekend So far, the two-night event has issued quite a few match cards. With a little over two weeks left for the next big thing at WWE , already seven matches have been announced. From the John Cena and Cody Rhodes rematch to Becky Lynch facing Lyra Valkyria once again, fans will not be lacking for anything. The triple threat match between IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley , and Naomi, and the singles match between Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton are also going to be a big deal with so many female wrestlers turning it up for the big night. Even though a lot of fans had anticipated that Cargill and Naomi would take it up with each other once more after that Evolution match-up. There will also be a tag team match between Randy Orton and Jelly Roll vs Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul, and an unlikely match card that will see CM Punk facing off against GUNTHER. With so many math cards already decided, fans are eager for SummerSlam to come rushing in. Also Read: Why is Travis Scott's wrestling future at stake in WWE? Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
