Jacob Fatu Clarifies Real Relationship With WWE Rival Roman Reigns

Jacob Fatu has shared some insight into what his relationship with Roman Reigns is really like. 

After Jacob Fatu picked up a huge win at WrestleMania 42 over Drew McIntyre, the Samoan Werewolf set his sights on a familiar face.

Instead of going after Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown, Fatu appeared on Raw and challenged his family member, the “Original Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns, who won the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 42.

The story escalated to the point where Fatu ended up challenging Reigns for the World Heavyweight Title at Backlash on May 9th in Tampa.

Reigns beat Fatu at Backlash in a close match, but Fatu was the one who stood tall because he attacked Reigns with a Tongan Death Grip after the match.

On the Raw after Backlash, Roman Reigns wanted Jacob Fatu to acknowledge him in an “Acknowledgment Ceremony,” but Fatu wanted no part of that. Instead, Fatu put Reigns through a table with a Powerbomb, applied the Tongan Death Grip again and hit a running hip attack on Reigns and The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) through a barricade at ringside.

Many people believe Reigns and Fatu are cousins, but Fatu told Cheap Heat that Reigns is actually his uncle.

“He’s really my uncle. Roman Reigns’ father, Sika – half of the greatest tag team, The Wild Samoans. Afa and Sika have a sister – my grandmother. That would make Roman my uncle.”

Roman Reigns is actually the uncle of The Usos as well, but since they were all born in the same year (Reigns was born in May 1985 and The Usos were born in August 1985), they always referred to eachother as cousins.

The 34-year-old Fatu would go on to talk about how close he was with Reigns and The Usos growing up. Due to their closeness in age, they always had a relationship like cousins.

“My first Christmas, my first birthday, my first holidays were with the Usos. I’ve known Roman since we were young.

You knew they were gonna be somebody; you just felt it!. Man, you felt it so much to where damn, it kinda rubbed off on us, you know what I mean?” (H/T WrestlingInc)

Jacob Fatu Explains Using The Tongan Death Grip

The Tongan Death Grip has been a big part of the Jacob Fatu-Roman Reigns rivalry. Reigns has done promos about how you’re not supposed to use a move that deadly on a family member. Fatu recently talked about the significance of the move.

“It’s a sacred move. It’s a legendary move. It’s a move to where you cannot change the name.

We’re all Polynesian. They know about the Samoans, the Hawaiians. But when it comes to our Tongan brothers, our Tongan Island, you know, it’s different.

We’re talking about a man who is so loving, but take him the wrong way — the great Haku will put this thing, this Tongan death grip on you.”

It would appear as if Reigns and Fatu will have a World Title rematch at Clash in Italy on May 31st, but that match isn’t official yet.

Also Read: Jacob Fatu Credits WWE Legend For Amazing Career Advice