Jacob Fatu fired back at online critics ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns at WWE Backlash 2026. The Samoan Werewolf challenged his detractors to step into the ring if they want to criticize the wrestling product.
Fatu appeared on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast to discuss his upcoming title opportunity. During the interview, the former WWE United States Champion addressed fans who criticize wrestlers without understanding what it takes to perform.
“Oh, no. Hey, set up a ring. Have them come in the ring. All right. They don’t even deserve to take a bump. Just see if they could take a punch to the face from us,” Fatu said.
The WWE superstar continued his message to online critics, making it clear he doesn’t believe they deserve to share the ring with professional wrestlers.
“They don’t deserve to—they don’t even deserve to step in the ring. All right. These cats don’t deserve to be nowhere in the ring. None of these cats.”
Fatu’s Advice on Handling Online Negativity
Fatu shared his approach to dealing with negative comments on social media. He advised others in the business to stay away from internet criticism and focus on their work.
“I didn’t go online like the rest of these cats, put in their feelings. Hey man, if I want to give some advice to anybody, stay off of the internet. It’s fake,” Fatu stated. “Kill everything with a smile, man. And just do the right thing when nobody’s looking. I read bad comments about me every day. All right, brother. Don’t let it get in your head because, bro, my check still clears every week.”
World Heavyweight Championship Opportunity at Backlash
In a recent interview with ESPN, Fatu reflected on what his championship match against Roman Reigns means to him. The match represents the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice.
“Man, man, man, this (means) more than anything. I prayed, and I cried for days like this. I’m not only at Backlash, fresh out of WrestleMania, I’m going toe-to-toe, head-to-head, bangin’ with the best,” Fatu said. “And, we’re not just talking about professional wrestling, we’re talking about the greatest of all time in sports entertainment, and it’s Roman Reigns, and I wouldn’t have it no other way besides this Saturday at Backlash.”
Fatu described what holding the World Heavyweight Championship would mean for his journey. He emphasized that the title represents everything he’s worked for throughout his career.
“It will look like exactly what it’s supposed to look like with that title on me. It’s everything that I grinded for, everything I went through the struggle for. I’m not saying I had the worst life, I just made bad decisions. But it ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish, so I gotta’ finish on top. I gotta’ finish and do what’s right by my family,” he stated.
The Samoan Werewolf also reflected on his path to WWE while other family members were already part of the Bloodline storyline.
“When they was up here in WWE running the Bloodline, and I was broke foaming out the mouth, grinding on the frontline, this is exactly the moment I was grinding for. I was the cousin that wasn’t supposed to be here, but we on First Take ESPN, I think we’re doing pretty great right now.”
Fatu challenges Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE Backlash 2026 this Saturday.