Jacob Fatu recently opened up about a crucial backstage moment with World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns that helped him stay focused before his WrestleMania 42 victory over Drew McIntyre.
‘The Samoan Werewolf’ defeated McIntyre in an Unsanctioned Match on night one of the premium live event, marking his second straight WrestleMania win.
Speaking with Daniel Cormier in a new interview, Fatu revealed the emotions hit him hard just before his entrance. He ran into ‘OTC’ backstage moments before walking out.
Fatu said:
“It was emotional. It didn’t hit me until I actually was getting ready to walk out. I’m so nervous. I seen a couple cats on the way. I seen my big Uce, I seen the Tribal Chief roaming range yesterday. Right before I walked out. He still calls me Jake, Jakester, Jakey, you know what I mean.”
The Tribal Chief’s Advice
Reigns delivered simple but meaningful advice in that moment. The counsel echoed something Fatu’s wife regularly tells him.
“So he had to (tell me), you know, ‘hey, man, calm down. Enjoy the moment,’ you know? Something that my wife always tells me. But Roman was like, ‘just take it all in,’ and before I went out, man, being ready, having my gear on and locked in, man, just thinking about all the tough times, all the struggle, everything to bring me to this moment right here. I mean, come on, man. I’m very blessed to be in WWE for two years and be 2-0 at WrestleMania right out the gate.”
The night after WrestleMania, Fatu appeared on the April 20 Raw After WrestleMania episode and confronted Roman Reigns. He made it clear he wants a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the upcoming Backlash premium live event.
Fatu has been with WWE for two years and has already established himself as a major player on the biggest stages. His undefeated WrestleMania record puts him in rare company among recent WWE signings.