Jacob Fatu
Fatu 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)
RelativesRikishi (uncle)
Umaga (uncle)
FamilyAnoaʻi
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Fatu[3]
Jacob Fatu[3]
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[4]
Billed weight279 lb (127 kg)[3]
Billed fromThe Mist of Samoa
Trained byRikishi[3]
Black Pearl
Sinn Bodhi
DebutSeptember 22, 2012[5]

Jacob Samuel Fatu (born April 18, 1992) is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in Major League Wrestling where he is a former MLW National Openweight Champion and a former one-time MLW World Heavyweight Champion, the latter being the longest reign in the title's history at 819 days.[4]

Fatu is part of the Anoaʻi family of Samoan professional wrestlers. He is the son of Sam Fatu and the nephew of both Rikishi and Umaga.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2012–2019)

Jacob Fatu was trained by his uncle, Rikishi, 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 Josef would then make their televised debut in MLW at Intimidation Games 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 with Lawlor, Fatu defeated Lawlor at Kings of Colosseum on July 6 to capture the World Heavyweight Championship.[10] He would also 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.

After the feud, he was challenged by Alex Hammerstone for the belt, also putting the MLW National Openweight Championship on a winner takes all match. He lost the belt to Hammerstone. He then feuded with him, culminating in War Chamber, where Contra Unit lost the match, both ending the feud, and starting the feud with fellow Contra Unit member Madds Krügger and Ikuro Kwon. The feud stretched on, him repackaging with his vignette which cemented his face turn due to fan reaction, abandoning the Contra Unit character. The Samoan Werewolf traded victories against Krügger in several matches, including him winning against Krügger in a no disqualification match and the latter winning on a weapons match, culminating and settling the feud in Kings of Colosseum in a Weapons of Mass Destruction match. He also simultaneously feuded with Bestia 666.

On April 6, 2023, at MLW's War Chamber Jacob 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-present)

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]

On Sunday, April 7, 2024, Fightful Select, PWInsider and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Fatu signed with WWE.[15]

Personal life

Fatu was arrested for robbery as an 18-year-old. He credits seeing his cousins The Usos on a jail TV as his inspiration for becoming a wrestler.[16]

Fatu is a member of the Anoaʻi family wrestling dynasty, being the son of Sam Fatu and brother of Journey Fatu.[17] As of 2024, Fatu has seven children.[18]

Championships and accomplishments

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. ^ a b c d e "Jacob Fatu". Cagematch. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "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. ^ a b CAREY, IAN. "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. ^ 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.
  16. ^ uso
  17. ^ Phillips, Jim (March 10, 2023). "Sam Fatu | The Tonga Kid – Wrestling in His Bloodline". prowrestlingstories.com.
  18. ^ "Major League Wrestling is No Minor Promotion". September 17, 2019.
  19. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 23, 2017). "APW Halloween Hell 2018 - Event @ Bay Shore Community Center in Daly City, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  20. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 23, 2017). "APW Universal Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  21. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (August 2, 2019). "APW SuckaFree - Event @ Pacelli Event Center in Daly City, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  22. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 10, 2017). "APW Clash At The Cow Palace - Event @ Cow Palace in San Francisco, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  23. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 10, 2017). "APW Worldwide Internet Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  24. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 22, 2018). "APW Bay Area Bash 2018 - Event @ Pacelli Gym in Daly City, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  25. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 11, 2019). "West Coast Pro Nobody Does It Better - TV-Show @ The State Room in San Francisco, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  26. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 11, 2019). "APW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  27. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 29, 2019). "PCW ULTRA Wrestle Summit 2019 - Event @ ILWU Memorial Hall in Los Angeles, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  28. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 29, 2019). "DEFY Tag Team 8XGP Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  29. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 31, 2020). "DEFY Year 3 - Event @ Washington Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  30. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 29, 2022). "HOG Exodus - Pay Per View @ La Boom in New York City, New York, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  31. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 29, 2022). "HOG World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  32. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 6, 2019). "MLW Fusion #65 - Kings Of Colosseum - TV-Show @ Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  33. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 6, 2019). "MLW World Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  34. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 2, 2021). "MLW Fightland 2021 - TV-Show @ 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  35. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 22, 2022). "PCW ULTRA Set In Stone - Event @ ILWU Memorial Hall in Wilmington, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  36. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 22, 2022). "PCW ULTRA Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  37. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 20, 2017). "PCW Fantasm - Event @ Memorial Hall in Wilmington, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  38. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 20, 2017). "PCW Ultra Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  39. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020 - the Internet Wrestling Database".
  40. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 23, 2017). "SPW 17th Anniversary Show - Event @ SPW Arena in Sacramento, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  41. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 23, 2017). "SPW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  42. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 18, 2017). "SPW - Event @ SPW Arena in Scramento, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  43. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 11, 2022). "Prestige/West Coast Pro Savage Mode - TV-Show @ The State Room in San Francisco, California, USA". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  44. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 11, 2022). "WCPW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  45. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 10, 2022). "WCPW Ride The Lightning Results (10/8): New WCPW Champion Crowned". Fightful. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
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