Jacob Fatu on WWE Rejecting Him, Fighting From Poverty & Facing Roman Reigns at Backlash

0:03Peter Rosenberg! Shout out to Jacob.

0:09The major stick. Oh my goodness. It's professional wrestling. The major king. 24 seconds. Champions jam. A thousand percent confirmed. M-m-mage. Stay mage and enjoy yourself. M-m-m-m-m-m-mage. M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m. male. My. My. My. My.

0:43Yeah.

0:47Yeah. Yeah.

0:55Yeah. Hey. Hey. Sweet, sweet Peter Rosenberg. Shout out to that guy, Greg. I like delicious chicken. It was repugged. It's professional wrestling. Ladies and gentlemen, it's the world's number one sports and recreation podcast, Cheap Heat. This is very exciting because, as you know, Backlash is coming up tomorrow night. and we are in for a treat of a main event when the man next to me will challenge for the big old title. Yes. You know what I mean? I'm talking about Jacob Fatu, the Samoan werewolf. Welcome to Cheap Heat, man. Welcome back. Come on. Come on, man. That's what happened to me. This is, and it happened organically.

1:40It really did. This wasn't built, you know what I mean? And it's always been none but organic and none but love with big hoops. I appreciate you big time, man. um so where are you at right now how's it let's just start here how you like just how are you feeling as a human being knowing that the biggest professional moment of your life is is sad man is man is game changing i mean you know i i've done a lot of great things since i've been in wwe for only two years but this you know i mean just to go ahead i mean come on man we're talking about roman reigns that's right you know we're talking about jack of five to roman reigns i mean the tribal chief the samoa werewolf who would have ever thought these two names whatever i mean tack in did you did you was was there a time when you really like once you started moving along in the indies did you think all right one day i know what's gonna happen or because you said the other day you said in that promo and i wondered how true it was yeah when you were like you didn't call me when I was on the Indies.

2:40I had to find my way here. So, A, was that true? And did you always think you'd find a way to get there? You know what? I watch these guys so much. And y 'all know how much I talk and I speak about my family, right? I talk to them. I talk about them so much to where, you know, I manifest. I just, I didn't think I was going to be here only because I had a tryout 2015-16. And, man, I was told, you know, I would never work here because of the mistakes that I made when I was 18. Mistakes in the tryout? No, no, no. Or just in life? Yeah. So what I had to try out, I went to, I was 18 for robbery, fresh 18.

3:24Like, I literally turned 18. My birthday is in March 7th. Man, I got the case in May. So for me to double back on there, I didn't think I was going to make it. But I just, I knew it was something. I manifested some. But anyways, I stuck with it. I didn't go to the trial. I had to try out crazy things. Shayna Brazler was in that trial. Shotzi, my boy Royce King. So, you know what I mean? Eddie Kingston. There was a lot of us in that trial. You know what I mean? Scotty Too Hotty was there. But I remember being told no. And man, I just, I broke down. I was crying, man. I didn't have anything else to do.

3:58Were you good yet? Yeah, man. Were you a good wrestler yet? So check this out. I thought I was ready. I wasn't ready. I was actually speaking to Bloom about this because, you know, they remember because they were coaching. Yeah, I was like, oh, man, you had it in the bag. Like I would have been signed already. And mind you, I didn't go through Usos and Roman. And what I mean, I didn't go through them. It's only because I didn't want to. It's like, no, I got it on my own. Man, these guys are busy. They're already busy. But did they feel some type of way? Yeah, they called me, bro. Why you didn't let us know?

4:31I mean, and this is they're doing shielding Usos face paint. I mean, so, man, I got there. I did it. Was told no. Norman Smiley, Matt Bloom and William Regal. Shout out to Mr. Regal. Man, I was bawling. Man, left. Right before I was about to hop in the car, the referee come give me a. They want to speak to you. I remember Norman Smiley and William Regal. You know, just stay at it. All right. Keep working. We know it's OK. I'm not saying you will ever. This is William Regal. I'm not saying you will ever work for this company. Oh, he did say that? Yeah. Hold on. I'm not saying – he didn't say – I'm not saying you will never work for this company.

5:10He said, I'm not saying you will ever work for this company. Yeah, and then he goes, my suggestion is just keep staying at it. Just keep going at it. I remember Boone was just, you know, like, damn, you know, because he's seen it. Scotty Tuhati was the coach, but, man, I stumbled. Who was your match with? Do you remember? Eddie Kingston. It was with Eddie Kingston. I had my first dude. I didn't even know who Eddie was. You know what I mean? So we're all – And he was already – what year is this? Man, I think 2015 or 16. So Eddie's already been around. He'd already been grinding. Yeah, he's already been because, mind you, we all had numbers.

5:39He was first. You know what I mean? I was second. And I will never forget, we were waiting. Like, I just kept hearing, Eddie, Eddie. I'm like, who's Eddie? I mean, man, bruh, I knew who Eddie Kingston was after that match. Definitely after that match. And Eddie was so dope, man, to where he already seen some in me. Not saying I didn't believe in myself, but, man, Eddie's seen some where he literally type, man, whatever you want to do, I'm here for you. And, man, I know Eddie told me you're going to be great one day. I know whatever it is. I know bloodline, but just something about you. And so shout out to Eddie Kingston, man.

6:17I mean, and, you know, he's the man, bro. And, bro, for him to do what he's done way before the tryout, but still have that type of respect and type of love. But not only that, I gravitated towards him because as soon as he started talking and I see, I was like, OK, bro, bro, it's like stuff. I know he's he's the New York version. You know, I mean, the West Coast version. So it just was forever locked in over there with Eddie. And not only that, even when I was on the independence, I first company ever booked me was A.A.W. out of Chicago. Chicago holds a special place in my heart because I debuted in Chicago.

6:54My very first independent show that actually flew me out was AAW Chicago. I actually seen Seth Rollins just make an appearance over there. They were closing, I think. Oh, they were? I think they closed. I think that's what happened. And you know what? I'm getting goosebumps right now. You see the hair standing on because AAW has done a lot. Danny and the whole crew. I mean, I did a no-show over there one day. You know, this is when I was trying to figure everything out. and Danny still loved me, still didn't charge it to the game. Same thing like Booker, you know? So with Booker and them tapping in, I got in because of Booker through this run at WWE.

7:32I forgot. Yeah, where are you at, Reality of Wrestling, and you blew it? I blew it. And this is when, this is why Jacob Fatu got iffy. And, you know, I ain't ashamed to talk about it because, you know what I mean, it is what it is. I will have one foot in the streets or another foot, in wrestling. And it didn't work like that. You know what I mean? And I had a problem too. I just had a little drug problem back in the day, but that's what it was. Pandemic too. I mean, I had a lot going. I had a lot riding. So yeah, I did what I did. I was trying to figure it out. I missed Booker's show because I was hanging in the alley 5.30 in the morning, supposed to leave He, like, just, man, just left it alone.

8:23Let me tell you one thing about Book. Before there was me, Booker looked at my cousin, the Usos. If you guys seen it, you've seen they made a special with Umaga. It's called 10 Hours to Houston. It breaks down the whole story. So, Umaga, Booker's from Houston. Umaga moved to Houston. You know what I mean? Brought the boys. Pensacola, Houston, 10-hour drive. Not only did he look out for the boys. I mean, he, when I did a no show with book, mind you, I never talked about money. Book always took care. I wasn't Booker I was scared of. I was scared of his wife because she don't play around. Yeah, she is the one.

9:03But man, the way how she embraced me and they loved me, it was awesome. But let me double back. I messed up over there at Booker's. Seeing Book, man, cousins, everybody's upset. Like, bro, this is the Uso who's helped up. And you're going to do that to him. I was still one game in, one game out. But, man, when I seen Book, I seen him like a year or two years after at my home promotion at PCW Ultra. War Beast. Shout out to Joseph Samael. If y 'all know me, yeah, that's where Jacob really learned how to eat at was at PCW Ultra Los Angeles. Longshore Men's Hall. Hey, man, y 'all see me grind from day one.

9:42So, man, shout out to PCW, man. but uh i seen booker over there i was scared to go in the building so i'm outside you know i mean blazing the jay i mean i don't i didn't want to go in there man i had to go in he was leaving i didn't see him i was walking and he came out they're they're a couple feet away he looks at me and i stopped and he's like hey man what's up you okay man walked up to him he's like hey man My door never closed. Yeah, you messed up. Yeah, I was hot. I was, man, come on. Like, but he was like, man, my door is never closed. You more than welcome to come back. Like, overall, how's your wife?

10:26How are you? Are you okay? You're doing good. But, you know what I mean? Just want to let you know I still love you, Oose. I know what you're going through. But this will make me feel good when I seen his wife, when I seen Charmille come out and she seen me. And now I'm like, oh, man, she just gave me a hug and said, hey, man, how are you? You good? They didn't get on me about nothing. You know, just embrace me and said, man, we love to have you back. So that's when my cousin Zilla got out. Zilla got out. I asked Book if I could be a part of the show. It was a special moment for my brother Zilla.

10:59Went to the show once again. You know, when it's off the love, off the rip, you don't talk about money. You don't talk about who's winning. You don't talk about good. None of that mattered. I was just happy the book actually let me back in, you know, to be there to witness my cousin Isaiah's very first match, you know, but not only that, to be a part of the show. Right. Man, we did our thing. Book gave Bruce a call and was like, hey, man, I just had Jacob. Y 'all want to we might want to check him out again. He was like, I mean, you might. And this is this is this is August. I'm out of my contract.

11:37Nobody knew I'm out of my contract early 24. Online, hey, this is what the thing about the internet. Don't believe everything on the internet. My birthday is in April. I'm wrong. You know what I mean? They said I was out of my contract 25 wrong. But listen, y 'all so caught up in the internet, bro. Don't do that. Nobody knew I was out. Gave them a call. Man, it happened in August. I was out of my contract at the beginning of February. Everybody thought I was out 25. So I talked to my uncle Rikishi. I'm going to tell you how I broke down. He gave Bruce a call. Bruce, I mean, they figured something out.

12:14They didn't know when I was out of my contract. Book call. Man, when you got your contract, I'm like, man, I'm still trying to figure it out. Like maybe February. He's like, February? He says that you out 24, 25. I was like, no, I'm out 24. Talked to my uncle Rikishi. He means well. I know my uncle means well. I talked to him. Told him I'm on my contract. I go on social media. He does a post. My nephew's out of it. And I'm like, oh, no, no. But I know my uncle went well. I wanted to keep it low. Right, and be able to support people. Yeah, because I didn't know where I was going. I really didn't know where I was going.

12:56I didn't. I just knew. I'm getting goosebumps, bro. This is a big decision. You know, I couldn't. I didn't want to reach out once again to my brothers because they're on top of this is bloodline. Now they're really good guys. They're cooking. This is right before Mania in Philly, before Mania 40. So from February, man, man, they're booming. Couldn't ask them for nothing. Even though you could have. Even though I could have. And they would have responded. And I know they would have. But, man, my Uncle Rekusi drops the post. Man, they pick it up. Solo gave me a call. That's when I really meant. Nobody called me.

13:37Solo really called and was like, hey, man, what's up? What you got lined up? I see my dad's post. Are you? Yeah, man, I am. Man. Man, right, Paul. And shout out to Heyman. You know what I mean? Like, he's always throughout the year. William Regal and Heyman. You know, always heard my name, always getting brought up. This all happened in one day. Told my uncle, hung up, social media posts, Solo Tech calls me. Hey, man, is this true? Yeah. Well, bruh, you need to let the boys know. You should call Heyman. Man, I go, I hang up with Solo, go to Twitter because that's how Heyman will write me. Man, I go on my inbox.

14:20Oh, Heyman already hit you. Man, call Solo. Hey, man, this motherfucker already hit me. I mean, so did you read it? No, no, I just gave you a call back. I just want to let you open up the message. Man, open it up and, man, we locked everything down. We locked everything down. It was tapped in. And, man, bro, I was signed. I got offered in February, got signed March, then debuted till June. Didn't know Tama was coming. Didn't know T was coming. You know, didn't even know JC was coming. So, day after Mania is raw, Tama shows up. oh damn oh okay backlash which is we're going into this tomorrow backlash 24 Tonga Loa shows up now I'm like I actually called the boys hey man I didn't know anything was going on you don't know what the plan is I'm just sitting at home I'm staying ready and I'm just at home you know what I mean and man bro when I when I CT I actually called bro and I called Solo like, hey, man, is everything okay?

15:29Like, I still got a job over there? Like, what's going on? Man, there's supposed to be money in the bank. Man, they switched it. They called me a week before I'm still in Cali, maybe two weeks, and they was like, hey, we're going to SmackDown Chicago. Oh, man, what? That's why Chicago holds a very special place in my heart. Chicago was my Indies, my debut, last man standing against Braun, you know, and what man uh it's been a lot of good things out bro i want to ask so i want to ask you a little bit of a question because yeah you said you said a lot that's interesting right there um basically about mistakes that you've made yeah not only in the street which we know led you doing a sizable bid and all that stuff but also blowing opportunities with these wrestling companies yeah what i want to ask you is what do you think it is that made people want to keep opening the door for you because that's an incredible blessing, bro.

16:27A lot of times people mess up. There is no second chance. People wanted to give you, like now you have to do good because people, they fought for you. They did. And why do you think that? Man, and it was that saying when they say it takes a village, man, it is true. It worked. They did it to me. Man, there's a lot of people man, they just knew because they love me. I'm talking about my family, my friends. they love me so much to where they knew the good, no matter the mistakes or anything, there's only one way I know how to be. And that's me, Jacob, man. When I go on these, uh, like, you know, I'm, I don't, I'm not going to be in character.

17:08And I think that's why people gravitate towards me. And this is because I'm just being myself at the end of the day, because man, I remember getting treated like shit. I remember not. I just remember being looked down and man, as a man, so what is it you think that have you have you done any like work yet to figure out what because you're so i mean like you're so clearly a good guy and everybody everybody messes with you yeah what what do you think it is about you that you've struggled with that it that allowed for you to make these bad decisions or to be so affected by the things around it was the drug you said it's not your family no it was the drug i mean it was it was the drugs.

17:50Yeah. You know, it was, it was the, I mean, it was the dope I was on. Like, I mean, I'm telling you when I went through that stage, it wasn't just robbery. That pandemic really hit different. You know, I would have had love, but this is what I love about the mistakes. And I love about the rough times. Everybody posts and are so grateful about the great times. Nah, man, I'm happy those rough times happen. I feel like they say this all the time. And I think I mentioned this jacob fatu you should have been in wwe no right now was the right timing i needed all these i needed all this time to learn to grow and i feel like if i would have been in wwe even a day earlier but i probably would have been let go and and that's just me keeping it 100 i think there was no better timing besides this timing okay yeah they could say oh there's too many samonas too many tongas okay but y 'all still watching all right obviously y 'all still locked in so shut the hell up.

18:46All right. Not only that, man, if, if, if, if, if it was, and it sucked that I had did this, I did it. I did no shows to a lot of companies. So I understand why people was iffy, but man, I just knew like what Booger said, my doors never closed. It always been open. Now it's like, okay, I got to remember who I am. I got to remember because I'm so humble at the end of the day. I mean, you see me, man, I'll chop, man. I'll sit there, chop it up, smoke a cigarette with a homeless person you know what I mean man but I wonder I wonder if in some ways I don't smoke cigarettes no more just don't you know yeah don't smoke dude all right yeah but but in I wonder if that humility almost at times turned into um to another level if it goes beyond humility to you not thinking you deserved more at a certain time yeah well you know man I I I feel like me being so humble with me, like you said, having no matter how much I messed up, that I always went back.

19:49And I think it's just for me having a good heart. You know, I know when I give, I give with a good heart because a lot of people have gave to me. A lot of people have gave to me out of love just because how I am. So, and one thing I teach my kids, I got seven kids, you know, I always tell them and I'm, especially with the social media now and everything ain't going on, you know, you kids ain't like us back in the day. You know, it's OK for us to play outside, fall off the bike. It's OK for us to not get bullied. But, you know, I mean, we're going to go through it as kids. It's what made us for who we are today.

20:23Nowadays, the kids are just always on the phone. No, man, my wife takes that out. Hey, I got your phones. It's only to go to school. Man, my kids come home. No, give me that phone. No, we're off. You know, I mean, because because they got to understand, you know, my kids do understand, especially my older kids because they were there in the grind with me. That's why I talk about my kids because they all wasn't babies. No, man. How old are you? Man, my oldest is 20, 16, no, 20, 17, 16, 14, 13, 9, and 4. Like, bro, I'm moving and grooving. So when I'm talking about all gas, no breaks with it, you know what I mean?

20:59Yeah, we tapped in. And speaking of the kids, Drew said something I thought was hilarious. That's the Hall of Fame? Yeah. He said it to me. Yeah. Oh, that's right. He did say it to you. Talk about wearing, you know, we could wear a spandex, but we don't know how to wear it. Latex. You know what I mean? Yo. I was like, he was cooking. No, by the way, Drew was cooking. It's so funny. I could tell he was so proud of that ball. Yo, he was. No, because he sat there with his arm around you and just smiled like, hey, I mean, come on, Drew. It was a great laugh. Yeah. What I love about Drew is I know he's very attention, like, detail.

21:35Yeah, absolutely. He's detail-oriented. but I love that it's the night before your match or two nights before the match. He's still trying to like, how can I put more gas on this thing? And you know, one thing about Drew, you know, man, I feel like it would have never happened if it wasn't Drew. You know, the way how everything worked and banged out. Man, excuse me. I seen, sorry, y 'all, I don't really drink coffee, man. Jey Uso got me on this nacho right here. But man, to bang it out with Drew, there's no other way i mean i feel like if it wasn't drew mcintyre none of this would have happened not only that i'm glad when i suicide dove through him at the beginning of the match i'm glad he didn't grab that sword and chop my head off how how how um why do you say it had to be him man i just no disrespect to the rocks the right i mean it could have been anybody but it just felt normal with drew it felt like it was supposed to be there i mean man drew he was right.

22:35Solo Sikora made his debut against Drew at Class of the Castle. Yeah, you know what I mean? So Drew's, oh, he's always fought the bloodline with Jimmy and Jay. Man, Drew was here against my uncle Umaga and had a match against him. So, you know, everything Drew was saying was real. You know? I mean, Drew was so good at what he was saying, my kids start to question me. Damn, Dad, is he telling the truth about you? You know what I mean? I mean, that's how good and how over it was going to work. My kids were asking questions about it. And we talk a lot, those of us who love and want to understand wrestling, obviously everyone talks about what it means when someone does the job for someone.

23:20Drew doing that with you at Mania. Man, come on. You're now main event. Without that, you're not at Backlash or Roman. You had to get a meaningful win at WrestleMania to make this credible to have Roman Reigns at Backlash. And on ESPN. Yes, it was on TV. Free TV. And then I didn't only just do it by myself. Man, I did it with my brothers opening the match. You know what I mean? So, I had the Usos and, man, I'm telling you, man, it's been a hell of a ride. That's why when y 'all see me over here shaking hands, saying what's up, I mean, I'm even saying what's up to the, you see, I just said what's up to the janitor.

23:58He's taking out the trash and he's like, hey, what's up, Jacob, I mean, these are the people that I relate to. I mean, I relate to anybody. But, man, it's just, especially for our culture, for our people, for them to see cats that look like us, this is why, man, this is why. And I used to tell the Usos this, you know what I mean, before I got WWE. Like, man, you guys, our community, our Polynesian community, they're so thankful for what y 'all done, you know what I mean? So, anyways, to go back with that happening with Drew, to getting me here now to backlash. I mean, man, to have something that Roman's done and I know I'm going against them.

24:34It's not that I keep, they got to understand I'm talking about Roman because everything that he has done for the family, with the promos, with everything, it's not a work. Like everything is true. So he has done a lot. And you know what? He was right. He was right on Monday. You know, when he said, you know, you saying Solo brought you in? No, yeah, Solo gave me a call. Roman brought Solo in, so therefore he did bring him in. So there is truth to all of this. But this is why it's very important to me. Man, I'm not taking this lightly. I really meant that when I said I cried and I prayed on days like this.

25:13I mean, man, I'm going with the best. This is it. By the way, this is the way you keep saying that, because I've already said it a couple times today. they need to have a package for you before the match with that meat, meal, dreams, and nightmares. Yeah, come on. Because that's kind of the mindset that you're in right now. When are my kids are going to be there? My wife is going to be there. You live in Florida? Yeah, man, I'm in Orlando. I'm from Sacramento, no, man. I ain't know where the county to be in Sacramento. You know what I mean? I heard him talking about Vlade Divac. Yeah, man, you hit you with a flop real quick.

25:43By the way, do you know that you don't know? But guess what? How about this? You'll love this. I played in the celebrity game for the NBA like 10 years ago now. Yeah. You know who hit me with the dime? I hit one shot. You know who hit me with the dime? Don't tell me Vladi, bro. White chocolate. Whoa, Jason, we here, man. I mean, J. Will, baby. I hit you with the no look. Yo, when you were a kid, you were like a teenager. We was popping. Yo, Sacramento was off. Bro, we was popping. School at 135 at night. Come on, bro. Hey, man, he brought the strip. Man, it was so dope having J. Will over there, man.

26:16I love Bobby Jackson. Oh, yeah. Come on, bro. What's he, the 11th man? Vlade. Yeah. Stoicka, bitch. You know what I mean? Christy, what's that mean? Giving it, uh-uh, can over there with y 'all. Wait, so real quick. What is – so you're from Sac? From Sacramento. Yeah, back to Lincoln Village to be exact, man. What is the origin story with you and Roman's relationship? And is it easy? Are you guys – what level of cousins are you? Like, are y 'all – He's really my uncle. He's your uncle. He's really my uncle, but I mean. But actually, like, uncle, uncle. No, he's really my uncle. Yeah, so Roman Reigns.

26:53Let me break it down. Roman Reigns' father, Sika. Half of the greatest tag team, the Wild Swords, Afa and Sika. Roman Reigns' dad. I mean, we're going to get deep. You know what I mean? Let's go. Roman Reigns' father is Sika. Afa, and they have a brother. Their brother has a son. That's Yokozuna's dad. Okay. All right. Now, I often seek to have a sister. My grandmother. So she so often seek our siblings that will make Roman my uncle. But we also we also kind of close to age. You know, we just call him cousin. I mean, big cousin. I mean, it's just how it is. But I think Jimmy Jimmy spoke about it in the documentary.

27:42Like, he's really your uncle. But I mean, it just works. It just feels like cousin. Yeah, it just feels like cousin. But, yeah, man, he's definitely an uncle. Have you known him since you were a kid? Yeah, man. Yeah, so, man, I was born in 1990 in Atlanta. I'm born in ATL, College Park, Bubba Sparks. You know what I mean? So, Bowen County, baby. But, yeah, man, I was born in College Park, man, Atlanta. My first Christmas, you know what I mean? I was the only kid. Usos, and they had a brother named Bubu. Shout out to my brother Bubu. You know what I mean? That's Roman's Uso, too. But my first Christmas, my first birthday, my first holidays were with Uso.

28:21You know what I mean? I've known Roman, you know, since we were young. I used to go to Florida every summer. You know what I mean? And I was there. I was there when they were playing high school. I was there. Man, I was there when I was there. And were they the stars of the family as kids? Yeah, man. They were high school playing football. And stars. Yeah, man. It was dope to see them grow. That's why I said this earlier. You knew they were going to be somebody. You just felt it, bro. You felt being around Roman, being around Jimmy, being around Jay. You just felt it. Man, you felt it so much to where it kind of rubbed off on us.

28:56You know what I mean? Right. Like, why not? Why not? But then I tapped in, but then I was there for Roman. Like, I used to live with a sister. I got in trouble out there in Cali. Moved in with a sister. His sister was in Cali? No, no, his sister was in Florida. Okay. So, Jimmy and Jay got other brothers. One of them's wrestling right now, Tomiko Fatu. Tomiko, and they got another brother named Ty. We all got in trouble out there in Cali. Totally different things. We're kids, teenagers. What did they do? Instead of us getting in the streets, they all sent us to Florida. Man, we ain't going to get caught up in Florida.

29:26But then it kind of worked out because we're all out there. You got Roman. You know, Roman was in college around the time. You got Usos. And, you know, we was all out there. But then also, man, I seen Roman at his college days. I mean, Wake Forest College days. What, man? We were all working for proactive installations. We were all doing furniture installation. Usos. Oh, the Usos. The Usos. Their brother. Man, Roman. Me. You know what I mean? All doing? We're all putting in. No, installing cubicles. Like, furniture installation. Like, cubicles for people to work for in offices. You know what I mean?

30:03Like, man, I've seen these guys. So. And you guys were all working together? We're all working together. Well, I was in high school at the time. Yeah, I wasn't allowed to do the drills. Only the boys get the drills and everything. No, I was just doing that and taking out the cardboard. Yeah, that was my thing. Unload the truck, take it out. I mean, I was the young buck, young stallion around here. You know what I mean? But, man, I seen these guys work. I seen what they went through, you know, and it just doubled back, man. I mean, when I seen these guys change their lives and make that move. And, man, when I was 18 and I turned on the TV and I seen TJ, I seen Natty, I seen their cousin Harry.

30:38I seen the Usos. I seen Tamina. Man, it's just like, okay. And then I'm so close with my cousin Usos, man. You knew TJ and Natty from back then too? No, I didn't know them. I seen them on TV. Oh, you saw them with that guy? Yeah, and I was locked down, man. We was in a dorm. There's one TV. I'll never forget. It was Monday Night Raw. It was just flipping through the channels. You know, man, we getting all week started. You know, our TV cut off like around, what, 9, 10 anyway. And it was Harry and TJ versus the Usos? Man, no, they were cutting a promo. Okay. I seen them cut a promo, I think it was like their second week or something.

31:12And Natty and them came. They ran out. And then, man, Oost and them, they was trying to figure themselves out, man. Natty and them did the run-in. Oost and them doubled back. And, man, I got out of jail. I was still trying to figure it out until, man, my wife. Shout out to my wife, man. She moved. She's from L.A. And you've been with your wife since you were out. Oh, man, I've been with her since, man, I think 17, 18. Yeah. Oh, man, we locked in, bro. I mean, real gangsters, man, take care of their family and their kids, all right? So it ain't about there being a tough guy on the streets, this and that.

31:44No, bro. Pay your taxes like Randy Orton said. Save your money, man. You know what I mean? And take care of your family. God, your wife must be so happy, bro. Yeah, she is. You know what I mean? I mean, she respects the business. She doesn't like to be around her too much. But, man, if anybody deserves anything, it's her. Because, man, I know I was hard to deal with. I was not easy. Because, man, even when I did mess up with Book, especially with Book, My wife, you know what I mean? You know what I mean? Like, come on now. Like, you know, she didn't really, she's like, I don't know too much, but I just know that's Booker T.

32:14And I could hear, you know, how he talks to you. You know what I mean? That man's a, so I know when I really, when it's really wrong outside of wrestling, I know when my wife steps in, you know what I mean? That's it. And not only that, man, like, they think I'm the enforcer. Man, my wife's really the enforcer when it comes to my kids, you know what I mean? I'm just a cool dad, man. I show up and, hey, let's go out. You're a cool dad? You're a cool dad? Yeah, that shit. Bro, I be walking in the house, high-fiving the kids, got the whole head shake, you know what I mean? Wait a minute. But hold on.

32:44I'll hold your mic up again. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, like, how – now, do you have – let me ask you. If you're a cool dad, do you just have to turn on the scary look? Do you just ever – if it gets serious, do you just give them the – No, like, they know. Like, they know. They know when they can hear it on my voice, you know. Like, this is the only thing. When I keep calling them, you know what I mean? Because I spoil my kids, you know. I spoil them. I spoiled them so much on the first year where I had to dial it back this year. You know what I mean? Especially my wife, you know. Jacob, you spoiled them a little too much, you know.

33:12I mean, man, what? I knew my kids were doing a little too much when they came up to me and said, Dad, there's no food. Can we go do some food? I said, no food. I just went shopping. What's in there? Oh, just sandwiches and noodles. Okay, okay, okay. Y 'all don't consider that for like that. Okay, got me? Remember, all right? So what I did this year, we don't go out to eat no more. You know what I mean? I got door to ask. He raised off my phone. My kids don't even, my kids only have a cell phone just to go to school. Other than that, man, I'm taking it. You know what I mean? My wife is taking it.

33:42You know, sometimes I'll slide it up. Okay, man, you just get out real quick. Give it back. I mean, just to keep them down. But man, I make the best hamburger helper ever. You know what I mean? So shout out to my kids. I'm coming home to make the best hamburger helper ever. So your, your oldest kids, they, it's 20. And actually, but even the whole, like really the oldest four of them. Yeah. They really, been through it. They really remember we didn't have anything. And now we do. They seen it. You know, they seen us where I was living. You know, they seen, man, those, man, I knew it was time to move and make a change with my son.

34:17I don't know how old he was, but man, there's so much gunshots going around the house where and he was like, I have my nephews over there. Oh, uncle, they popping fireworks? My son just casually drawing. No, those are gunshots. Those ain't fireworks. So I was like, okay, I got to figure this out. You know what I mean? And my kids know, they knew, man, my kids know, they remember, oh, turning on the kitchen light, man. You know what we're going to talk about? They remember turning on the kitchen light, seeing roaches everywhere. They remember opening up the cereal and I didn't say just to make it seem, no, man, my kids really remember that.

34:49My kids remember I had to go catch the bus sometimes because my wife had the car. I had to go catch the bus, go pick them up from school. You know, my kids remember me asking my neighbors, you know what You know, sometimes even my partners that was selling, you know, like, man, I had to go get a ride from them. Sometimes I had to go wait in that line, you know, at the EBT thing, you know, just to get food stamps, just to get cashed. You know, my kids remember that they remember me, man, they remember. So when it comes to my kids, that's why I spoil them. You know what I mean? Because it wasn't just me going through the grind when I was out there because I was still traveling.

35:24Even though I was on the Indies, I was still having the luxury of traveling. I'm still having the luxury of going to eat everywhere. Still seeing other things. Yes, while they were at home. Man, while they were home. So, yeah. So when I had the chance to move to Florida and they asked me to move, I had no problem. When they said, hey, how much is the moving truck? I said, sir, I'm not lying when I told y 'all I have nothing. Like, I'm literally with my sister-in-law. So what are you bringing? Man, I'm not bringing nothing. I'm bringing the clothes. My birth certificates are socials. Man, I started all over when I went back to Florida.

35:57I didn't need nothing. You know what I mean? Shout out to Tonga Lua, man. He the first person that bought my bed, man. As soon as I moved in the house, man, you know, as soon as I moved in, man, my brother asked what your number was, what your address. Next thing you know, the first bed I ever had, Tonga Lua bought it. Hey, who's, something's at the door. What? Something at the door? Man, there's movers. Came, put the bed. Came, dropped the bed off. Wow, Tonga Lua. Tonga Lua looked out, man. And this is why I'm so close with them. This ain't because they're Tongan. It ain't because our dad used to tag.

36:30Nah, man, I know I know these brothers. I know I genuinely love, you know, my Tongan brothers. I mean, and I always got to make sure that there and this is why the Tongan Death Grip. I was about to ask about the Tongan Death Grip. I don't want it. It's not about changing the name. No, man. I'm getting goosebumps right now because this move is a sacred move. it's different you know um i'm just and i talked to the talla tonga you know i mean i'm just happy and i'm thankful you know i'm able to use this and bring it back because man there's no other move that could have did this with rome let's be for real what else with man this guy has been f5 this guy has been through it all so i pop i just i popped because what i really enjoy is when all of us, it felt very old school to have like that all of a sudden you pull out this move and it's a, what's that?

37:26What's that? It gives like, it gives this, because you're right, we've seen Roman go through everything. So we got to hit him with something. You got to hit him. And this is one thing, you know, if, man, if you can't go against it, man, you know, there's only one thing that's going to take us down and take us out. That's anything to do with our bloodline or our family. There's no other move besides the Tongan Death Grip. So, man, I couldn't have it no other way. And no, we're not changing the name because it wouldn't be what it is if it's not the Tongan Death Grip. And shout out to Haku, Ming, everything that he has done for us, for the business, also for my father as well.

38:13He was actually looking out for my dad. my dad and my dad and you know things happen for a reason my dad man he wasn't he was like me I was kind of like my dad in and out so pops used to wrestle as the Tonga Kid came in as Tom of the Islander met up with Haku in Canada man that's a man that my dad was very scared of but also respect so much Haku man is the most loving nicest such a great grandfather as well so for us to all be tied in and for me to bring this back out it's really to pay homage isn't that the isn't that the old saying too yeah the the most gangster dudes are always the nicest guys yeah because they're not because haku doesn't have to prove anything to anybody no he why would you ever be mean when you already know what time it is man hey and then we're already and we're not even talking about big haku like like like mean like faces of death haku wwe afro no he was doing this one he was king haku in the 80s baby you know what i mean like man that's such og right there but overall man i just i just want to just pay homage man and you are and that's what i love and of course we're talking to jacob fatu one day in advance of the big backlash matchup against roman reigns um for the title and we you know we really we spent last week the whole show talking about what it could mean yeah so so here's what we here's what we fantasy booked here okay we i don't know and before brother even tell me man before i got the wwe man the oost was already lined up and i felt like we knew each other and we i mean like we knew each other because i'm a fan of the stuff i already knew who was way before this but then when i actually knew like bro was tapped in with wrestling and then I'm like, okay.

40:02It just made it even more. You remember when we first met? Yeah. Was it Saturday nights, man? Maybe. I see you. And you asked me for a photo. Yeah, I did. We got to flick it up. It's funny because I talked about this later. Me and Sam Roberts, we had the same experience because you're so tapped in that you already knew about what we do. Yeah, come on, bro. Because you're tapped into it. I was like, oh man, this guy really knows what time is. But for me, it was the hip-hop thing and the wrestling. I truly appreciate it. And so I just wanted to let y 'all know, man, like right before I got here, man, just to hear how brothers spoke about me, just to hear how excited and different different scenarios, different, you know, different levels.

40:47But, man, the way our brother was breaking it down, him and Sam, it's like it. We've been doing Sam and I've been doing this for a long time. Y 'all was getting me so hype. I need to share this, though, too. I was playing with y 'all in the car one day with my father. I don't know if I share this with you. You know what I mean? We're driving on the way back, and this is the week before I had actually moved out, tapped in over here. We heard some of yours. I heard Sam's stuff got us hyped, and then I forgot. I think I told Sam this, but then we heard some of your stuff on what it was, and I was like, oh, shit.

41:16And mind you, I didn't know I was just way before I even got signed. But then the rumors started popping. You know what I mean? And now I go back and I listen to your guys' stuff again on the way back from San Francisco with my dad. And my dad is like, hey, man, you hear these guys? It's like, damn, son, they're getting me hyped up. And it was getting me hyped, though, too. But, man, just to tap in and just to see how great and how good y 'all even spoke highly about me before I even got to this motherfucker, mate. Listen, your hype was legit. Yeah. And, you know, we, all of us who spend our time as fans, like, craving this, and then now also make a living talking about it.

41:51Yeah. All we ever want is moments. Come on. That's all. You know, that's one of the things. When we complain, because even though I work here, I still complain. we all just want moments what's that thing that you could feel excited about that surprise and you showing up and and then there's another thing i remember about about you arriving so i remember you hadn't spoken yet yeah and so we were speculating on like what your ceiling was because we're like well he's thrilling to see yeah but what's gonna like can you put a mic in his hand because like even though i knew the hype it's not like i'm at the indie show seeing what you could do on every level i was i was spooked to speak too bro i remember your first i think that was saturday night's main event what was when you really cut that promo didn't you cut a promo yeah when i walk no it's when i was walking so that was the one that actually really put me on because like they ain't never heard yada i mean all gas oh yeah you hit the yada yeah i don't know all red the first time and i think it was like i think i said some shit like post to post beat your ass on mbc i mean but it was it was uh felt good but at that moment i remember asking them because me and jackie were doing um social clips that day yeah and we were like yo could we get him are y 'all letting him talk yet because as of that you weren't talking no they were protecting the character they didn't know i wasn't i didn't do nothing for the whole year and a half we didn't do appearances we didn't do nothing like trust me like it was so hard for me to walk past everybody because, mind you, I'm new.

43:21I'm fresh in WWE. So, yeah, you see Jaguar 5-2 get up here. Hell yeah, what's going on, baby? You know what I mean? Because I remember, but I knew where we was at. I said, can we talk to him yet? And then you start cutting promos and it's like, oh, wow. This guy, he is not just like an enforcer. He is not just like this scary werewolf character. There's more here. Then you got to this Roman thing. Yeah. And shout out to stat guy, Greg, my coach out here today. But he said he called your moment when you said, I don't want that title. I need that. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I believe he called that like your dusty hard times moment.

44:02But that was your me. That was that moment that people are going to remember. Yeah. And now you've elevated even more. Like, did you know that you're did you have the mic work in you always? So I was getting away with the mic. OK, well, like we was always a talker. You know, we come from Northern California, man. I mean, Max Ray, E-40 Water. I mean, mozzarella, baby. Like, man, so we know we got that game. We got that part on how to speak. But I was getting away with it on the indies because I was cussing. You know, like, man, fuck this motherfucker. You know, I was getting away with it. The name of our show is Cheap Heat for a reason.

44:35Cheap Heat, Cheap Heat. Cursing does a lot of work for you. Yeah, you know what I mean? Like, man, we was getting away with it. But, man, I was spooked. I was spooked to talk. That I Love You solo, that was the first time I spoke, was my second week. They cut out the Samoan part I did, which is all good, but next time y 'all gonna catch that. First time I spoke was at the MSG where we put Paul through a table. Actually, my very first entrance as well. Very first. See, man, this is what I'm saying, how cool my life has been. Man, I learned in Chicago I learned in Chicago like my debut no I'm sorry the following week my debut in MSG I told Hunter he was like hey man you heard your music I had two different songs you know what I mean I was like nah I didn't hear my music I was like I don't even know what my name is he turned around I was like your name motherfucker your name is Jacob Fatu my first my original name was supposed to be Cesar Sequoia yeah bro you know what I mean that wasn't it you know what I mean like Planet of the Ace Yeah, Planet of the Ace.

45:43My ass is about to be like this, and I'm about to be like, you know what I mean? Man, they didn't go with it. They kept Jacob Fatu. How happy were you when they went with you? Man, I was happy. I mean, you know, it was just the following that I had before I got here, and Jacob Fatu felt right. Mind you, they already had a Fatu. That was my Uncle Rikishi as the head shrinkers with the great Samu, Lance Onowaii's father. And shout out to Lance, man, at the power slap. We seen you. Yeah, man. So Fatou was already made. But, man, it meant a lot. And trust me, it's so special when the whole crowd is chanting Fatou.

46:26Man, I make my people. I make my family. And it was your brand prior. So it's good for you professionally, business-wise, all the things. And now when they see me, it's Fatou. You know what I mean? And now they're chanting Fatou. Now they're chanting it. You know, I just wish Yoko, Uncle Umaga, I just wish a lot of the OGs were here. You know, especially Umaga to see what the Usos have done with Solo and also, you know, with his son Zillofatu has done. You know, it's very, very special, man. Wish Roman's dad was still here. My uncle Sika. A lot of cats don't know. And this is why it makes it real personal with me versus Roman.

47:02My dad got sent to Pensacola, Florida, from San Francisco. Acting up. grandmother sent them on a Greyhound bus, San Francisco, all the way to Pensacola, 10 tuna sandwiches,$30, you know what I mean, and a couple food stamps, you know what I mean? Pops did it. Mind you, you get off of a bus, you see Sika, big dude. You're going to think like, my dad said, yeah, you think he'll be happy to see me? I know I'm in trouble. I'm getting sent out here, so when I see him, uncle, how are you, uncle? Trying to give Sika a hug. He said, man, son, you know what your uncle did? He told me, shut up and get in the car.

47:39You know what I mean? Because that's how much respect is in our culture. That's their sister. They don't want to see their sister have a hard time. So the fact that you're showing up because she had a hard time. Yeah, man. Yeah, but then to have Sika train my father. You know what I mean? Sika is a, my dad is a spitting image of Sika on how they talk, how they are. Sika wasn't ashamed of who he was. He wasn't ashamed of what he'd done. You know what I mean? And it just, it falls back, you know, on my dad. and this so from Sika training my father like really training him and living and raising him Roman Reigns parents they raised my dad damn near so for me to work Roman and having my father be raised by his father I mean it's more than just cousins it's more than just just the match it's more than just the builder it's more than just trying to get me on the direction where I'm going no man when this match tomorrow man could really make me or break me I mean what what real quick Before we let you go, what are your earliest memories of other pro wrestlers as a kid?

48:40Besides your family. Oh, man. Man, I seen Stone Cold backstage. I don't know what it was. I seen him backstage. As a kid? Yeah, as a kid, leaning over on the table. Just, man, talking smack and then seeing Taker. And then Taker was just looking. It's just like a blur memory. But it was backstage at UC Davis. Man, I got a lot, dude. I remember Arco Arena backstage, Bam Bam Bigelow, police, he almost started. Something happened with somebody backstage. So we ended up getting on him, and the police ended up arresting the guy backstage. That's like a blur. But The Rock, I remember The Rock, Nation of Domination.

49:26Like, I'm backstage. He's just, like, fresh out the shower and stuff. You know, they had 8x10s back in the day. All the rest was just to carry it. so man I asked him for like a couple autographs you know he like I asked him for one asked him for two asked him for a third one you know I mean I'm not knowing I'm a kid but I think this is when he grabbed the third one and looked like like hey man can I get a third one for my friend's I think that's when I first seen the people's eyebrow do you know I mean but shout out to the rock man he actually uh signed all of them and uh man he was the first person that got me a hundred dollars you know I mean I asked him for some money you don't be a lunch money I'm a kid and bro this is when rock was you know i mean on fire man on fire we're talking about like hollywood rock you know i mean he came back wearing the black leather with the big uh uh cowboy belt buckle yeah man bro you talking about rubber man rubber band man from ti man brother that was the first time i seen a rubber band you asked him for lunch money yeah i'm a kid bro of course you gonna ask that's the one thing when you was some more young kid man you ain't got nothing you always asking everybody for a dollar i think i asked him for a dollar i was like rock you got a dollar man he pulled out and honey gave me and my brother$100.

50:33Man, bro, you know what I mean? We thought we was balling. Next thing you know, bro, my dad, take the money and take us out to eat at Demis. You know what I mean? You know what I mean? Put the rest of the$100 in the gas, man. Have you gotten to talk to Rock at all since you're coming? You know what? I seen him. I seen him at Netflix. You know what I mean? And just gave him a hug, man. And I think he actually spoke. He spoke about me on Pat McAfee's show, you know what I mean, the day after. But, man, one thing I learned about The Rock, He knows everybody's name and just the love. And, you know what I mean, he's not as scared to speak about our culture, you know, because our culture is everything.

51:08But I did see him at Netflix. You know what I mean? It was cool to see him. I actually seen him at WrestleMania 40. You know what I mean? When I was backstage, man, I was just, I seen him backstage. Just, Marlo Uzo. You know what I mean? It means, hello, what's up? So when he heard that, he turned, seen me. You know what I mean? He didn't get up or anything because I was moving and grooving. Oh, shit. I was just happy to be backstage. You know what I mean? I mean, y 'all see me walking behind Roman. There's a footage of me walking behind him, getting ready to see the process. You know what I mean?

51:34So, shout out to Rock, man. Hey, man. You know, I can act too now. You know what I mean? By the way, I mean, listen, who knows when the final boss comes back? Maybe there's another match. You know, you never know. And then to tap in, on another note, man, Bad Blood, me and Solo versus Cody and Roman and Atlanta. Manos I once again go back to my life Just being great and what it is I was so happy To have that moment Just to hear Rock's music dude We didn't know he, I didn't know he was coming out We didn't know he was coming out We just told the camera guy We're walking through the couch Stay, next thing you know man Rock's music hit, I'm glad they weren't recording me I think I was jumping up and down Solo out of 10 Hey, man, man, man, hold on, man.

52:20But, man, I was glad. Oh, you had to play a bad guy. I had to get back home. Like, oh, you know what I mean? But I was happy just to be a part of that. Even though I wasn't in the ring, it was between Roman and Rock and Cody. But, man, just to see that, man, bro, it was real dope, man. So, tomorrow night for the World Heavyweight Championship. Yeah. Biggest night of your life. Come on. Your family will be there. Yes. We will be locked in. This was such a cool way to get us ready. Thank you for making time to do this. Oh, for sure. You already know how we feel about you, man. Yeah, come on, man.

52:52Everyone's excited. Yeah. Congrats. Thank you, man. Jacob Fatu, enjoy Backlash, and we'll catch you next week right here on Cheap Heat Live, Pro Wrestling Nation 24-7. Y 'all know what I mean.