Ever since the feud between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu started after WrestleMania 42, WWE has made one thing very clear: Fatu is not just another opponent. He has cemented his status as one of the biggest threats Reigns has ever faced.
Many thought the rivalry would finally end at WWE Backlash 2026 when Reigns barely managed to retain his World Heavyweight Championship. But even after losing, Fatu snapped and attacked Reigns with the Tongan Death Grip.
Now, with Tribal Combat seemingly being set up for Clash in Italy, WWE has dropped several signs that Fatu may be Reigns’ biggest nightmare yet.
3 signs WWE is turning Jacob Fatu into Roman Reigns’ most dangerous rival
1. WWE Needed The Entire Bloodline To Contain Jacob Fatu
One of the biggest signs of Fatu’s rise is how WWE has presented him physically against The Bloodline. Usually, Reigns is shown as the unstoppable leader. During his dominant run, most opponents looked helpless against Reigns and The Usos. But with Fatu, WWE flipped that idea.
During their feud, there have been many segments where Fatu destroyed The Usos before laying his hands on Reigns and choking him out with the Tongan Death Grip. The Usos have never been able to handle Fatu on their own, unlike earlier times, when they overpowered certain opponents using their numerical advantage.
Showing the top star of RAW needing help would definitely affect his dominance, but WWE is going for that in this case to make Fatu feel like a much bigger threat.
2. Roman Reigns Has Never Faced Someone This Unpredictable
Roman Reigns has faced every kind of opponent over the years, be they masterminds, underdogs, or even family members. But Jacob Fatu feels completely different.
Fatu is being shown as a wild force that is riding on emotions and is impossible to control. He does not care about WWE management, Bloodline rules, or even his own safety. He doesn’t even worry about winning the title. He wants the life Reigns is enjoying.
Fatu has attacked the officials, thrown General Manager Adam Pearce, and created chaos wherever he went, without worrying about any penalties or termination. Instead of respecting family traditions, he crossed the line by using the Tongan Death Grip on his own blood.
That unpredictability is exactly what makes him dangerous for Reigns. The OTC’s biggest strength has always been control. He controls matches, manipulates people, and forces opponents to acknowledge him. But Fatu refuses to follow any of those.
3. Roman Reigns Initially Wanted Jacob Fatu Gone (Fired) Instead Of Controlled
The biggest clue is Reigns’ own reaction to Fatu.
In the past, Roman Reigns usually tried to control family members instead of getting rid of them. He manipulated Jey Uso, recruited Solo Sikoa, and always demanded loyalty from everyone around him. But with Fatu, the OTC reacted differently.
Initially, he thought he could force Fatu to acknowledge him with the help of The Usos. But very soon, he realized how unhinged Fatu is. He then treated Fatu like a dangerous problem that needed to disappear.
Even on the May 18 episode of WWE RAW, after attacking Jacob Fatu, Reigns told Pearce that he could fire Fatu. However, after Fatu’s provocation, he accepted the Tribal Combat Challenge.
Deep down, Reigns knows Fatu cannot be controlled the same way others were. Fatu represents the one thing Reigns has always struggled against, someone who truly does not fear the OTC.
Read More: Roman Reigns Accepts Jacob Fatu’s Tribal Combat Challenge on WWE RAW
