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Topics: Interview, Features, Opinion, WWE, 2K Games, PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch 2
Topics: Interview, Features, Opinion, WWE, 2K Games, PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch 2
Jacob Fatu is one of the most popular performers in WWE today and a proud member of the anoaʻi family, who have created some of the most iconic pro wrestlers in the industry.
This bloodline was produced by top pro wrestling talents such as The Wild Samoans, Yokozuna, The Rock, Jimmy and Jey Uso, their father, Rikishi, and many more. So to say that there’s a lot of pressure living up to the family name would be an understatement.
For Jacob Fatu, his life before WWE took a very different path than that of much of his family. Raised in Sacramento, California, getting mixed up with the wrong crowd, at 18-years-old, he made some life choices that led him to serve a prison sentence, convicted for armed robbery.
Yet, when Jacob saw his cousins, The Usos, on TV performing in WWE while in jail, something switched, and his life began to change for the better when he served his sentence in 2010.
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Jacob explains that there was a time when he thought he’d never make it where he is now, 33-years-old with his career in WWE just beginning. “There was a time when I got shot at, and I never thought I was going to make it,” Jacob recalls.
“At that precise moment in my life, I wasn't doing anything wrong; I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. There have been close calls in my life. I’m very fortunate to be where I am now. But you know, it ain't how you start, it’s how you finish, and I’m happy to be here now.
“Right here, right now, it’s very cool to be here looking at this Xbox playing WWE 2K26. I’m very happy to be part of all this,” he rejoices during our conversation at the WWE Headquarters. “This whole journey to where I’m at has been nothing but great, man. There’s always a plan in motion, I believe that.”
Some might assume that his bloodline guarantees Jacob a head start in his career; they would be greatly mistaken. His career began in the world of professional wrestling in 2012, performing on the indies as well as well-known and major promotions such as Major League Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The long journey to WWE would last 12 years, making his official debut on 21 June 2024 on SmackDown, destroying top Superstars, Kevin Owens, Randy Orton and WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. Jacob was introduced with a huge impact, joining Solo Sikoa’s (his cousin) Bloodline as a heel.
Traditionally, a heel is supposed to be booed by the crowd, being the bad guy and all. While that may have initially been the case, it wasn't long before those boos turned into cheers, with fans unable to resist Jacob’s natural charisma and brutal, yet athletic, high-octane skills inside the squad circle.
Jacob’s natural gift, charisma and talent in the ring would carry him to be a WWE Tag Team Champion and United States Champion. Perhaps if it weren't for some injuries, he might have had more and longer reins. I can only speculate. But I feel this is merely the beginning of what could be a historic career in WWE.
It’s fair to say that Jacob Fatu knows a thing or two about getting out of a bad situation as a teenager and, with a lot of hard work, making a real go of life. It feels like gun and knife crime is evermore prominent in the UK and US, as well as many other countries across the world.
“What I will say to these kids is that it’s gonna be ok. You gotta put God first. There’re gonna be more days that you feel like giving up, but it’s those days when you don't feel like hustling that you gotta get up and get to it. It could be anything that helps put you on the right path. It could be working out or something like staying off your phone,” Jacob explains.
“Nowadays, everything's online, and everything's so easily accessible, for better or worse. The internet makes you think that everything you need to see in life is on that small screen, but it’s not. You’ve gotta get out and keep pushing on.
“The reason why I tell everyone that everything is gonna be ok, is that when someone asks me what I would tell my younger self, I’d say, it’s gonna be ok. All those days wasted, stressing and trying to figure life out, it wasn't all for nothing. Keep pushing and keep grinding. Learn how to forgive people and let people forgive you. Hold no grudges and keep moving on with your life.”
“Seeing my kids smile at Christmas and being able to help loved ones who have helped me out in my life. To see the life that my wife and kids have makes me feel blessed. Don’t get it twisted, I don’t have a big mansion, and I’m only on my first WWE contract.
“I haven't been with the company for long, but WWE took a chance on me, and the fans took me in. I was able to debut against Randy Orton, Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes. These guys are on top, and it doesn't get any better than that. I’m very blessed, very happy, and it's all because of God that this is possible.”
As I said earlier, Jacob’s career in WWE has only just begun, and for the man whose motto is “All gas, no brakes”, by the time the fuel tank is empty many years from now, it’s time to call his pro wrestling career, the Samoan Werewolf, would make for one epic WWE 2K Showcase star.
WWE 2K26 is out now on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 for those who own the ‘King of Kings’, ‘Attitude Era’ or ‘Monday Night Wars’ editions. Then the standard edition with CM Punk on the cover launches this coming Friday.