Jacob Fatu

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Jacob Fatu
Jacob Fatu RR25 (cropped).jpg
Fatu in 2025
Birth nameJacob Fatu
Born (1992-04-18) April 18, 1992 (age 32)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Children7
Parent(s) Sam Fatu (father)
Family Anoaʻi
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Fatu
Jacob Fatu [1]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm) [1]
Billed weight285 lb (129 kg) [1]
Billed from"The Mist of Samoa"
Trained by Rikishi
Black Pearl
Sinn Bodhi
DebutSeptember 22, 2012 [2]

Jacob Fatu (born April 18, 1992) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand as a member of The Bloodline stable. He is also known for his time in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he was a 1-time MLW National Openweight Champion and a 1-time MLW World Heavyweight Champion, holding the record for the longest reign in the latter title's history at 819 days.

Contents

Fatu is part of the Anoaʻi family of professional wrestlers. He is the son of Sam Fatu and the nephew of both Rikishi and Umaga. He is the older brother of Journey Fatu. [3] Fatu was trained by his uncle Rikishi and wrestled for many promotions on the independent circuit between 2012–2019 before signing for MLW. He left MLW in May 2024 and signed for WWE that April, debuting in June as part of The Bloodline, a faction of wrestlers from the Anoaʻi family.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2012–2019)

Jacob Fatu was trained by his uncle, Solofa Jr., and debuted in 2012 in a winning effort teaming with his relative, Black Pearl. [2] He spent most of 2013 through 2015 competing in California for independent promotions, often teaming with fellow Anoaʻi family members. In 2018, he made his first trip to Mexico for The Crash in a trios match, losing to Octagón and Blue Demon Jr. [2]

Major League Wrestling (2019–2024)

Fatu in 2019 JacobFatuMLW2019.jpg
Fatu in 2019

On January 17, 2019, Fatu signed with Major League Wrestling, joining his relatives Samu and Lance Anoaʻi in the company. [4] On February 2, Fatu debuted for MLW at their SuperFight event in a non-televised match. [5] Fatu and frequent tag team partner Josef Samael made their televised debut at Intimidation Games on March 2, attacking MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor following his cage match against Low Ki, forming the heel stable Contra Unit with Simon Gotch. [6]

At Kings of Colosseum on July 6, Fatu defeated Lawlor to win the World Heavyweight Championship. [7] He retained the title in a rematch against Lawlor on the August 31 episode of Fusion . [8] On November 2, Fatu headlined MLW's inaugural pay-per-view, Saturday Night SuperFight, defeating LA Park to retain the title. [9] Throughout his reign, Fatu successfully defended the title against Brian Pillman Jr., Davey Boy Smith Jr., ACH, Calvin Tankman and Matt Cross. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] Fatu was eventually challenged for the title by Alex Hammerstone, who put his MLW National Openweight Championship on the line in a winner takes all match. [15] At Fightland on October 7, 2021, Fatu lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Hammerstone, ending his reign at 819 days. [16] On November 17, at War Chamber, Contra Unit lost to Hammerstone's team in a War Chamber match, ending the feud with Hammerstone. [17]

Fatu subsequently started a feud with fellow Contra Unit members Mads Krule Krügger and Ikuro Kwon and repackaged himself through a series of vignettes, turning face in the process. [18] [19] [20] Throughout early 2022, Fatu and Krügger traded victories against each other on Fusion. [21] [22] At Intimidation Games on April 28, Fatu failed to regain the World Heavyweight Championship in a triple threat match also involving Krügger. [23] Their feud culminated in a Weapons of Mass Destruction match at Kings of Colosseum on July 14, which was won by Fatu. [24] At Battle Riot IV on November 3, Fatu won the 40-man Battle Riot match, earning the Golden Ticket which required him to cash-in for a World Heavyweight Championship match anytime and anywhere. [25] He received his title match against Hammerstone on the March 21, 2023 episode of Fusion, but failed to win the title. [26]

At War Chamber on April 6, Fatu defeated John Hennigan to win the National Openweight Championship. [27] He lost the title to Rickey Shane Page at Fury Road on September 3. [28] On February 1, 2024, Rikishi announced that Fatu was now a free agent, ending his five-year tenure with the company. [29] [30] He made his final appearance for MLW on February 17, where he was defeated by Krügger in a Baleki Brawl match. [31]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2024)

On January 13, 2024, at Battle in the Valley, Fatu made his New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut, teaming with Shota Umino and Fred Rosser to defeat Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor and West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs). [32]

WWE (2024–present)

Fatu (far right), as the enforcer of Solo's Bloodline The New Bloodline, 2024.jpg
Fatu (far right), as the enforcer of Solo's Bloodline

Prior to signing with the WWE, Fatu was planned to appear on Raw is XXX for Roman Reigns' Acknowledgement Ceremony segment, but legal problems with MLW and WWE prevented his appearance. [33]

On April 7, 2024, it was reported that Fatu had signed with WWE. [34] Fatu made his debut on the June 21 episode of SmackDown , attacking Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes, thus establishing himself as a heel and becoming the newest member of The Bloodline, led by his real life cousin Solo Sikoa. [35] At Money in the Bank on July 6, Fatu made his in-ring debut in a six-man tag team match alongside Sikoa and Tama Tonga, defeating Rhodes, Orton and Owens. [36] On the August 2 episode of SmackDown, Fatu and Tonga defeated DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. [37] On the August 23 episode of SmackDown, Fatu relinquished one half of the titles to Tonga Loa so that he could be Sikoa's personal enforcer. [38] At Bad Blood on October 5, Fatu and Sikoa lost to Reigns and Rhodes after interference from a returning Jimmy Uso, marking his first loss in WWE. [39] At Crown Jewel on November 2, Fatu, Tonga and Sikoa defeated the original incarnation of The Bloodline (Reigns and The Usos) in a six-man tag team match. [40] At Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30, Fatu, along with The Bloodline and Bronson Reed, lost to Reigns, The Usos, Sami Zayn and CM Punk in a WarGames match. [41]

In January 2025, Sikoa lost the Ula Fala and Tribal Chief title to Reigns, as a result, the faction is no longer labelled as "The Bloodline" on air. [42] After Sikoa's defeat, Fatu began a feud with Braun Strowman. [43] [44] At Saturday Night's Main Event on January 25, Fatu lost to Strowman via disqualification after he shoved an referee. [45] On February 1, at Royal Rumble, Fatu made his Royal Rumble match debut at number 12, eliminating four wrestlers before being eliminated by Strowman. [46] On the February 14 episode of SmackDown, Fatu faced Strowman and Damian Priest in a triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match, which was won by Priest. [47]

Personal life

Fatu was arrested for robbery when he was 18 years old. He credits seeing his cousins Jonathan and Joshua (The Usos) on a jail TV as his inspiration for becoming a wrestler. [48] Fatu has seven children. [49]

Championships and accomplishments

Fatu is a former and longest-reigning MLW World Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu 2019.jpg
Fatu is a former and longest-reigning MLW World Heavyweight Champion

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Jacob Fatu bio". Major League Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Jacob Fatu profile". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  3. ↑ Verma, Love (November 18, 2024). "Who is Journey Fatu? The next real-life Bloodline member who could eventually join WWE".
  4. ↑ Johnson, Mike (January 17, 2019). "New MLW signing". PWInsider. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  5. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "MLW SuperFight 2019". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  6. ↑ "MLW TV taping spoilers: Intimidation Games". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . March 3, 2019. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ Oliver, Iain (July 9, 2019). "MLW Kings of Colosseum results: Tom Lawlor vs. Jacob Fatu". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  8. ↑ Powell, Jason (September 1, 2019). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Jacob Fatu vs. Tom Lawlor for the MLW Championship, Gringo Loco, Air Wolf, and Zenshi vs. "Injustice" Myron Reed, Jordan Oliver, and Kotto Brazil". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  9. ↑ MacDonald, Josiah (November 2, 2019). "MLW Saturday Night SuperFight live results: Jacob Fatu vs. LA Park". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  10. ↑ Powell, Jason (February 9, 2020). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Jacob Fatu vs. Brian Pillman Jr. for the MLW Heavyweight Title, Savio Vega vs. Richard Holliday, Zenshi vs. Dominic Garrini". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  11. ↑ Powell, Jason (November 18, 2020). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Jacob Fatu vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. for the MLW World Championship, Myron Reed vs. Brian Pillman Jr. for the MLW Middleweight Championship, MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  12. ↑ Powell, Jason (January 20, 2021). "1/20 MLW Fusion Results: Jacob Fatu vs. ACH for the MLW World Championship, Simon Gotch vs. Jordan Oliver, and Daivari vs. Zenshi". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  13. ↑ Powell, Jason (March 31, 2021). "3/31 MLW Fusion Results: Never Say Never themed edition with Jacob Fatu vs. Calvin Tankman for the MLW Heavyweight Championship, Myron Reed vs. Daivari, Jordan Oliver vs. Simon Gotch". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  14. ↑ Powell, Jason (October 6, 2021). "MLW Fusion Alpha results: Powell's review of Jacob Fatu vs. Matt Cross for the MLW World Championship, "5150" Rivera and Slice Boogie vs. "Injustice" Myron Reed and Jordan Oliver, Willow Nightingale vs. Ashley Vox". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  15. ↑ Ross Sapp, Sean (March 17, 2021). "MLW Planning Huge Match Between 600+ Day Champs Jacob Fatu And Alexander Hammerstone". Fightful. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  16. ↑ Powell, Jason (October 7, 2021). "MLW Fightland results: Powell's review of MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu vs. MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone in a No DQ, title vs. title match, Myron Reed vs. Aramis vs. Arez vs. Tajiri in a four-way for the MLW Middleweight Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  17. ↑ Oliver, Iain (November 18, 2021). "MLW Fusion Alpha results: War Chamber match, Jeff Cobb returns". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  18. ↑ Powell, Jason (January 21, 2022). "1/20 MLW Azteca results: Powell's review of Mads Krugger vs. Bestia 666 in a Tijuana Street Fight, "5150" Slice Boogie and Rivera vs. Aerostar and Drago for the MLW Tag Titles, Pagano vs. Richard Holliday and in a Barrio Brawl, Toto vs. Proximo, Jacob Fatu breaks his silence". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  19. ↑ Powell, Jason (February 4, 2022). "2/3 MLW Azteca results: Powell's review of El Hijo Del Vikingo, Laredo Kid, and Octagon Jr. vs. Alex Kane, Rey Horus, and Villano III Jr., Extreme Tiger vs. Mecha Wolf, and EJ Nduka vs. Adrian Quest". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  20. ↑ Powell, Jason (February 11, 2022). "MLW Fusion results: Powell's review of A major player enters MLW, Alexander Hammerstone vs. Pagano in a Falls Count Anywhere match for the MLW Heavyweight Championship, King Muertes vs. Richard Holliday, EJ Nduka vs. Ikuro Kwon". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  21. ↑ Powell, Jason (February 26, 2022). "MLW Fusion results: Powell's review of Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger, Gino Medina, Mini Abismo Negro, and Arez vs. Aramis, El Dragon, and Mister Saint Laurent's mystery man". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  22. ↑ Powell, Jason (March 24, 2022). "MLW Fusion results: Powell's review of Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger in a Stairway To Hell match, Killer Kross vs. Budd Heavy, Gangrel vs. Gnarls Garvin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  23. ↑ Guzzo, Gisberto (April 28, 2022). "MLW Intimidation Games 2022 Stream And Results (4/28): MLW World Heavyweight Title On The Line". Fightful. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  24. ↑ McGuire, Colin (May 13, 2022). "5/13 MLW Kings of Colosseum spoilers: McGuire's in-person report on the taping for upcoming shows (spoilers)". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  25. 1 2 Nason, Josh (June 23, 2022). "MLW Battle Riot IV spoilers: Former WWE NXT wrestler debuts". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  26. ↑ Powell, Jason (March 21, 2023). "3/21 MLW Underground results: Powell's review of Alex Hammerstone vs. Jacob Fatu for the MLW Heavyweight Championship, Taya Valkyrie vs. Billie Starkz for the MLW Featherweight Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  27. ↑ Carey, Ian (April 7, 2023). "MLW War Chamber spoilers: New champions crowned". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  28. ↑ Vetter, Chris (September 3, 2023). "MLW "Fury Road" results: Vetter's review of Alex Kane vs. Willie Mack for the MLW Heavyweight Championship, Jacob Fatu vs. Rickey Shane Page in a Weapons of Mass Destruction match for the MLW National Openweight Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  29. ↑ Haynes, Cassidy (February 2, 2024). "*EXCLUSIVE* Jacob Fatu Contract with MLW Has Expired, Currently a Free Agent". BodySlam.net. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  30. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (February 5, 2024). "Jacob Fatu Confirms MLW SuperFight Was Last MLW Date". Fightful. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  31. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (February 18, 2024). "MLW Burning Crush Stream And Results (2/17): Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger, Satoshi Kojima In Action". Fightful. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  32. ↑ Fritts, Chick (January 13, 2024). "NJPW Battle in the Valley live results: Okada vs. Ospreay, Moxley vs. Shingo". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  33. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (January 27, 2023). "January 30, 2023 Observer Newsletter: WWE Royal Rumble preview, Raw is XXX scores big ratings". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  34. ↑ Carey, Ian (April 7, 2024). "Report: Jacob Fatu has told people he's signed with WWE". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  35. ↑ Barnett, Jake (June 21, 2024). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (6/21): Barnett's review of CM Punk's homecoming, Cody Rhodes and The Bloodline, Money in the Bank qualifiers, Logan Paul and LA Knight". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  36. ↑ Powell, Jason (July 6, 2024). "WWE Money in the Bank results: Powell's review of Damian Priest vs. Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, two MITB ladder matches, Sami Zayn vs. Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 7, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  37. ↑ Powell, Jason (August 2, 2024). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (8/2): Powell's review of Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa face-to-face before SummerSlam, DIY vs. Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga for the WWE Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  38. ↑ Powell, Jason (August 23, 2024). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (8/23): Barnett's review of Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga vs. The Street Profits for the WWE Tag Team Titles, LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar for the U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  39. ↑ Powell, Jason (October 5, 2024). "WWE Bad Blood results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  40. ↑ Powell, Jason (November 2, 2024). "WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's review of Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes for the Crown Jewel Championship, Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan for the Women's Crown Jewel Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  41. ↑ Powell, Jason (November 30, 2024). "WWE Survivor Series WarGames results: Powell's review of OG Bloodline and CM Punk vs. The Bloodline and Bronson Reed in a WarGames match, women's WarGames match, three title matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  42. ↑ https://wrestlingheadlines.com/possible-spoiler-on-wwe-rebranding-the-bloodline-changing-solo-sikoas-group-name/
  43. ↑ Powell, Jason (January 17, 2025). "WWE Smackdown results (1/17): Powell's live review of Tiffany Stratton vs. Bayley for the WWE Women's Championship, Solo Sikoa's return, Motor City Machine Guns vs. Los Garza". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  44. ↑ Powell, Jason (January 24, 2025). "WWE Smackdown results (1/24): Moore's live review of WWE Champion Cody Rhodes' opening segment, LA Knight vs. Tama Tonga, Motor City Machine Guns vs. Pretty Deadly". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  45. ↑ Powell, Jason (January 25, 2025). "WWE Saturday Night's Main Event results (1/25): Powell's live review of Gunther vs. Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Championship, Rhea Ripley vs. Nia Jax for the Women's World Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  46. ↑ "2025 Royal Rumble match stats". WWE. February 1, 2025. Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  47. ↑ Powell, Jason (February 14, 2025). "WWE Smackdown results (2/14): Powell's live review of Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Championship, Elimination Chamber qualifying matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  48. ↑ Defelice, Robert (January 26, 2022). "Jacob Fatu Says Seeing The Usos On WWE TV While He Was In Jail Made Him Want To Be A Wrestler". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  49. ↑ Salcedo, Denise (November 23, 2023). "Jacob Fatu: WWE Bloodline storyline, wrestling first intergender match". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  50. ↑ "APW Universal Heavyweight Title (California)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  51. ↑ "APW Worldwide Internet Title (California)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  52. ↑ "APW Tag Team Title (California)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  53. ↑ "DEFY World Tag Team Title (Washington)". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  54. ↑ ESPN staff (December 26, 2024). "Pro Wrestling 2024 awards: The best men's and women's wrestler, feud and more". ESPN . Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  55. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "HOG World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  56. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "LIT Knuck If Ya Buck Championship". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  57. ↑ "MLW World Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  58. ↑ "MLW World National Openweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  59. 1 2 "PCW Ultra title history". PCW Ultra . Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  60. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020". Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  61. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "SPW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  62. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "WCPW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  63. ↑ "WWE Tag Team Championship". WWE. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
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