Jacob Fatu Believes WWE Would’ve Released Him If He Was Signed Earlier In His Career

Jacob Fatu Believes WWE Would’ve Released Him If He Signed Earlier

March 31, 2026

Jacob Fatu believes he might not have lasted in WWE had he signed earlier in his career.

Speaking to Justin LaBar of TribLIVE, Fatu reflected on a past WWE tryout that included talents like Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Royce Isaacs, and Eddie Kingston.

“I had a tryout, I think it was 2015 or 2016. Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Royce Isaacs, Eddie Kingston — there were a lot of us in that class. I went in too early, but you know what it was? It just felt like giving up,” Jacob Fatu said.

Fatu admitted he felt the opportunity came too early, especially given personal issues in his past that ultimately prevented him from being signed at the time. He recalled working a tryout match against Kingston and receiving encouragement from coaches like William Regal, Norman Smiley, Matt Bloom, and Scotty 2 Hotty, who urged him to keep pushing despite the setback.

“I remember Norman Smiley, William Regal, Matt Bloom, and Scotty 2 Hotty were there. Because of my past, I couldn’t get signed. I had a three-day tryout and even had a match against Eddie Kingston. Shoutout to him, but I just couldn’t do it.”

Jacob Fatu on navigating the indies before WWE came calling

Following the tryout, Fatu continued grinding on the independent scene, often taking whatever opportunities came his way. He noted that he wasn’t even able to leave the United States during that period, only traveling internationally after eventually signing with WWE.

“A lot of people don’t know I stayed on the independents and never left the country. I wasn’t allowed to leave the U.S. I didn’t travel internationally until I finally got to WWE. My first time stepping out of the USA, aside from when I was two years old in Samoa, was because of WWE.”

Looking back, Fatu believes the timing worked out for the best. He acknowledged that, had he joined WWE earlier, he likely would have been released. Instead, he embraced his unique journey and credited persistence and timing for helping him reach the stage he’s on today.

“But I’m happy I took that journey. I’m happy my path was different from my cousins. People always say, ‘Jacob, you should’ve been here earlier.’ No. Jacob probably would’ve been let go. The timing was perfect. It ain’t anybody’s timing but God’s timing.”

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