Jacob Fatu

Last updated

Jacob Fatu
Jacob Fatu 2019.jpg
Fatu as the MLW World Heavyweight Champion in 2019
Birth nameJacob Samuel Fatu [1]
Born (1992-04-18) April 18, 1992 (age 32) [2]
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Children7
Parent(s) Sam Fatu (father)
Family Anoaʻi
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Fatu [3]
Jacob Fatu [3]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm) [4]
Billed weight279 lb (127 kg) [3]
Billed from The Mist of Samoa
Trained by Rikishi [3]
Black Pearl
Sinn Bodhi
DebutSeptember 22, 2012 [5]

Jacob Samuel 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 one-time MLW National Openweight Champion and a one-time MLW World Heavyweight Champion, holding the record for the longest reign in the latter title's history at 819 days. [4]

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. Fatu was trained by his uncle Rikishi and wrestled for various promotions on the independent circuit between 2012 and 2019 before signing with MLW. He left MLW in early 2024 and signed with WWE that April, making his official debut 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. [3] 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. [6]

Major League Wrestling (2019–2024)

In 2019, Fatu signed with Major League Wrestling, joining his relatives Samu and Samu's son, Lance Anoaʻi in the company. [7] Fatu debuted for MLW at their February event SuperFight, alongside his frequent tag team partner Josef Samael in a non-televised match. The duo of Fatu and Samael would then make their televised debut for MLW at the Intimidation Games event on March 2 by attacking the World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor following his cage match against Low Ki, thus forming the heel stable Contra Unit with Simon Gotch. [8] The following week, Contra Unit attacked Ace Romero during his match with Gotch. [9] After months of feuding, Fatu defeated Lawlor at Kings of Colosseum on July 6 to capture the World Heavyweight Championship. [10] He would then retain the title against Lawlor in a rematch. [11] He then headlined MLW's first-ever pay-per-view event Saturday Night SuperFight, where Fatu successfully defended the title against LA Park.

Fatu would eventually be challenged by Alex Hammerstone for the championship, with Hammerstone also putting the MLW National Openweight Championship on the line in a winner takes all match. He lost the match to Hammerstone, thus ending Fatu’s historic 819 day reign as champion. Fatu continued his feud with Hammerstone, culminating in War Chamber, where Contra Unit lost the match, both ending the feud with Hammerstone, and starting a new one with fellow Contra Unit members Madds Krügger and Ikuro Kwon. The feud stretched on, with Fatu repackaging himself with multiple vignettes which cemented his face turn due to fan reaction, this abandoning the Contra Unit character. Known as the Samoan Werewolf, Fatu traded victories with Krugger in several matches, including earning a victory against Krügger in a no disqualification match and the latter winning in a weapons match, culminating in a final showdown between the two men at Kings of Colosseum in a Weapons of Mass Destruction match. Fatu also simultaneously feuded with Bestia 666.

On April 6, 2023, at MLW's War Chamber, Fatu defeated John Hennigan for the MLW National Openweight Championship. [12]

On February 1, 2024, Rikishi announced that Fatu was now a free agent, ending his five-year tenure with the company with reports linking him to WWE, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). On February 3, 2024, Fatu defeated Yuji Nagata. After the match, Fatu would be attacked by Mads Krule Krügger. On February 17, 2024, Fatu was defeated by Krügger in a Baleki Brawl match. This marked Fatu's final appearance for the company.

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 in a winning effort against Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor and West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs). [13] [14]

WWE (2024–present)

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. [15]

On April 7, 2024, PWInsider, Fightful Select [16] and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Fatu had signed with WWE. [17] Fatu made his debut on the June 21 episode of SmackDown , attacking Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Undisputed WWE 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. [18] At Money in the Bank, Fatu made his in-ring debut in a six-man tag team match alongside Sikoa and Tama Tonga defeating Rhodes, Orton and Owens. [19] In the main event of the August 2 episode of SmackDown, the night before SummerSlam, Fatu and Tama Tonga defeated DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) to win the WWE Tag Team Championship marking Fatu's first title win in WWE. [20] The following night at SummerSlam, Fatu attempted to help Sikoa and threw Rhodes onto the announcer's table, before landing a frog splash from the turnbuckle, seemingly injuring himself and Rhodes in the process. Sikoa ended up losing the match after interference from the returning Roman Reigns. [21] On the August 16 episode of SmackDown, Fatu returned and assisted Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga in attacking Roman Reigns and subsequently delivering a Triple Powerbomb through the announce table. The following week on SmackDown, Sikoa had Fatu relinquish one half of the Tag Team Titles to Tonga Loa so that Fatu could be Sikoa's personal enforcer.

Personal life

Fatu was arrested for robbery at eighteen years old. He credits seeing his cousins Jonathan and Joshua (The Usos) on a jail TV as his inspiration for becoming a wrestler. [22]

Fatu is of Samoan descent and is a member of the Anoaʻi family wrestling dynasty, being the son of professional wrestler Sam Fatu, who is best known as The Tonga Kid, and brother of Journey Fatu. [23] In an interview with Denise Salcedo on November 17, 2023, Fatu said he has seven children. [24]

Championships and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umaga (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler (1973–2009)

Edward Smith Fatu was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) under the ring name Umaga. Fatu was also known for his time with All Japan Pro Wrestling in the mid-2000s, where he was a main eventer under the ring name Jamal.

In professional wrestling, the Samoan SWAT Team is a tag team comprising Juicy Finau and Lance Anoa'i, who work in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where they are former MLW World Tag Team Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Fatu</span> American professional wrestler (born 1965)

Samuel Larry Anoa'i Fatu is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation under the ring names The Tonga Kid and Tama and with World Championship Wrestling as The Samoan Savage.

The Anoaʻi family is a family of professional wrestlers originating from the Samoan Islands. Family members have comprised several tag teams and stables within a variety of promotions, most notably WWE. Famous members of the family include Roman Reigns and WWE Hall of Famers Rikishi, Yokozuna, and the Wild Samoans. Other notable members include The Usos, Umaga, Rosey, Jacob Fatu, and Solo Sikoa, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josef Samael</span> American professional wrestler (born 1974)

Joseph Cabibbo is an American professional wrestler currently wrestling under the ring names Josef and Josef Samael on the independent circuit and in Major League Wrestling (MLW) as a member of Contra Unit with Jacob Fatu, Simon Gotch, and Ikuro Kwon. He is a one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and (Zero1) World Heavyweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanga Loa</span> American professional wrestler (born 1983)

Tevita Tu'amoeloa Fetaiakimoeata Fifita is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Tonga Loa, where he is one-half of the current WWE Tag Team Champions with Tama Tonga in his first reign as a member of The Bloodline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swerve Strickland</span> American professional wrestler (born 1990)

Stephon Strickland is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Swerve Strickland. He is also known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and was a member of Hit Row.

Lance Anoa'i is an American professional wrestler formerly for Major League Wrestling (MLW) where he performed under his real name. He is a former MLW World Tag Team Champion and is a member of the Anoaʻi family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MLW World Heavyweight Championship</span> Professional wrestling championship

The MLW World Heavyweight Championship is a world heavyweight championship owned and promoted by Major League Wrestling (MLW). It is the promotion's principal championship. The championship was established on June 15, 2002 at the Genesis and was active until February 10, 2004 after the promotion stopped hosting events. The championship was reactivated in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWE Tag Team Championship</span> Mens professional wrestling championship

The WWE Tag Team Championship is a men's professional wrestling world tag team championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE, defended on the SmackDown brand division. It is one of two male tag team championships for WWE's main roster, along with the World Tag Team Championship on Raw. The current champions are The Bloodline, who are in their first reign, both as a team and individually. The Bloodline's Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu originally won the title from previous champions #DIY on the August 2, 2024, episode of SmackDown; however, on the August 23 episode, Bloodline leader Solo Sikoa had Fatu relinquish his share of the title to fellow group member Tonga Loa so that Fatu could be Sikoa's personal enforcer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Hammerstone</span> American professional wrestler

Alex Rohde, better known by the ring name Alexander Hammerstone or simply Hammerstone, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and makes appearances on WWE's NXT brand. He is also known for his time in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he was a former MLW World Heavyweight Champion, the inaugural and longest reigning MLW National Openweight Champion, and the winner of Battle Riot III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Contra Unit</span> Professional wrestling stable

Contra Unit is a villainous professional wrestling stable, currently performing for Major League Wrestling (MLW) and Southern Honor Wrestling (SHW). It consists of leader Mads Krule Krügger, Ikuro Kwon, Janai Kai, Minoru Suzuki and the Sentai Death Squad. In SHW, the group also consists of Brooklyn Creed, Joe Black and Romeo Quevedok.

The Bloodline is a villainous professional wrestling stable that performs in WWE on the SmackDown brand. The team is led by Solo Sikoa and features The Tongans, and Jacob Fatu. The name of the stable is in reference to the majority of the group being members of the Anoaʻi family of Samoan professional wrestlers.

Kings of Colosseum (2021) was a special episode of MLW Fusion which aired on January 6, 2021 on Fubo Sports Network and MLW's YouTube channel. It was the second event under the Kings of Colosseum chronology.

Matthew Waters is an American professional wrestler and actor, currently performing for Major League Wrestling (MLW) under the ring name Mads Krügger and is the leader of the Contra Unit. He also performs on the independent circuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Oliver (professional wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler (born 1999)

Jordan Oliver Jr. is an American professional wrestler currently performing on the independent circuit and for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), where he is a former JCW World Champion. He is best known for his work with Major League Wrestling (MLW) and Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), where he was a one-time CZW Wired Champion.

Alex Kane is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to Major League Wrestling where he a former MLW World Champion and a former MLW National Openweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solo Sikoa</span> American professional wrestler (born 1993)

Joseph Yokozuna Fatu is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Solo Sikoa as the leader of The Bloodline.

Alexander James Atkisson, known by his ring name Akira, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Major League Wrestling, where he is a former MLW World Tag Team Champion and a former MLW World Middleweight Champion.

References

  1. ↑ Bryan, Mike. "MLW Fusion Alpha Has Arrived". Pro Wrestling Post. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Jacob Fatu". profightdb.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jacob Fatu". Cagematch. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Jacob Fatu". MLW. January 20, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Jacob Fatu - Matches". Cagematch. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Jacob Fatu". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Jacob Fatu Signs With Major League Wrestling". prowrestling.com. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  8. ↑ "MLW TV taping spoilers: Intimidation Games". f4wonline.com. March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Simon Gotch vs. Ace Romero, DJZ vs. Ace Austin in a Battle Riot qualifying match, Alex Hammerstone vs. Isaias Velasquez - Pro Wrestling Dot Net". Prowrestling.net. March 10, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Jacob Fatu Wins MLW World Heavyweight Championship". Heel By Nature - Daily Pro Wrestling News. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  11. ↑ "MLW Fusion #73 « Events Database". Cagematch. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  12. 1 2 CAREY, IAN (April 7, 2023). "MLW War Chamber spoilers: New champions crowned". Www.f4wonline.com. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  13. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 13, 2024). "NJPW Battle In The Valley 2024 Kickoff". Cagematch. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  14. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 13, 2024). "NJPW Battle In The Valley 2024". Cagematch. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  15. ↑ https://www.sescoops.com/news/wwe/wwe-mlw-cease-and-desist-raw-30/
  16. ↑ Tessier, Colin (April 22, 2024). "Report: Jacob Fatu Expected To Debut On WWE TV Within The Next Week". WrestleZone. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  17. ↑ Carey, Ian (April 7, 2024). "Report: Jacob Fatu has told people he's signed with WWE". Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  18. ↑ Mrosko, Geno (June 21, 2024). "Jacob Fatu debuts in WWE, joins The Bloodline". Cageside Seats. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  19. ↑ Mueller, Doc-Chris. "WWE Money in the Bank 2024 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  20. 1 2 "The Bloodline Wins WWE Tag Team Titles On 8/2 WWE SmackDown | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  21. ↑ Powell, Jason (August 3, 2024). "WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa in a Bloodline Rules match for the WWE Championship, Damian Priest vs. Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Jacob Fatu Says Seeing The Usos On WWE TV While He Was In Jail Made Him Want To Be A Wrestler | Fightful News". www.fightful.com.
  23. ↑ Phillips, Jim (March 10, 2023). "Sam Fatu | The Tonga Kid – Wrestling in His Bloodline". prowrestlingstories.com.
  24. ↑ "Jacob Fatu: Talks WWE Bloodline Storyline, Wrestling His First Intergender Match & More! (Interview)". YouTube . November 17, 2023.
  25. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 23, 2017). "APW Universal Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  26. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 10, 2017). "APW Worldwide Internet Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  27. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 11, 2019). "APW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  28. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 29, 2019). "DEFY Tag Team 8XGP Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  29. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 29, 2022). "HOG World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  30. ↑ "LIT Knuck If Ya Buck Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  31. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 6, 2019). "MLW Fusion #65 - Kings Of Colosseum - TV-Show @ Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  32. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 6, 2019). "MLW World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  33. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 2, 2021). "MLW Fightland 2021 - TV-Show @ 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  34. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 22, 2022). "PCW ULTRA Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  35. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 20, 2017). "PCW Ultra Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020 - the Internet Wrestling Database".
  37. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 23, 2017). "SPW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  38. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 11, 2022). "WCPW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.