Jacob Fatu Breaks Character To Acknowledge Roman Reigns Before WWE Backlash

Jacob Fatu is set to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash 2026 on May 9.

Ahead of the clash with the Tribal Chief, the Samoan Warrior appeared on ESPN’s Get Up to promote the match. Speaking about the bout, Fatu said he is very grateful for the opportunity to face “the greatest of all time in sports entertainment,” briefly breaking character to acknowledge Reigns.

“Man, man, man, this 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. 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. I wouldn’t have it no other way besides this Saturday at Backlash.” [H/T Ringside News]

Jacob Fatu Addresses His Attacks On Roman Reigns

Jacob Fatu also addressed his recent attacks on Roman Reigns, stating that while Reigns is his cousin and the Head of the Table, when it comes to his family and kids, no one can trash talk them without facing the consequences.

“Oh man, it’s all gas, no brakes, as y’all could tell what it was. You know, at the end of the day, Backlash live and direct on the ESPN. Live and direct in Tampa. Absolutely. See, it’s different. You know, it’s different when you talk about my kids, when you talk about family.

You know, this is my older cousin. This is the tribal chief, but at the end of the day, what family don’t fight? I need to feed my family and take care of them just as well as he does. Our family has been in WWE for well over a couple decades… with me coming in for two years now, it’s only right just to head to the top.

If you want to go through the top, you got to take out who’s at the top… and who’s at the top of the food chain and who has been there for a very long time—we’re talking about 12 WrestleManias—is none other than Roman Reigns.”