Honestly, if you looked at the WWE landscape back in early 2024, nobody—and I mean nobody—saw the carnage of 2025 coming. We all knew Jacob Fatu was a monster from his MLW days. We knew Solo Sikoa was trying to fill some massive shoes left behind by Roman Reigns. But the way their relationship imploded? That was something else entirely.
It wasn't just another wrestling storyline. It was a literal family breakdown broadcast on global television.
Now that we’re sitting in 2026, and Jacob Fatu is gearing up for a massive "Year of the Werewolf" push after his injury hiatus, it's the perfect time to look back at the wreckage. Most people think this was just about who got to wear the Ula Fala. It wasn't. It was about a power dynamic that was doomed from the second Jacob stepped foot on SmackDown in June 2024.
The Enforcer and the King: A Recipe for Disaster
When Solo Sikoa brought Jacob Fatu into the fold, he thought he was buying insurance. He’d just kicked out Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman. He was rebranding the Bloodline into something colder, more "mob boss" than "tribal royalty." Jacob was supposed to be the weapon. The "Samoan Werewolf" who would tear through Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton so Solo could sit on the throne.
It worked. For a while.
But here’s what Solo missed: you can't truly "lead" a force of nature. Jacob Fatu doesn't just do moves; he wrecks people. By the time they hit WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, the crowd wasn't chanting for Solo anymore. They were waiting for Jacob.
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That night in Vegas changed everything. Jacob Fatu dismantled LA Knight to win the WWE United States Championship. It was his first taste of WWE gold, and you could see the look on Solo’s face. It wasn't pride. It was fear. Solo realized his "enforcer" was officially more successful than the leader.
The Turning Point at Night of Champions
The tension finally snapped at Night of Champions 2025. If you remember the match, it was uncomfortable to watch. Solo Sikoa didn't just challenge Jacob for the U.S. Title; he tried to erase him.
The match was a masterclass in psychological warfare. Solo kept demanding that Jacob "acknowledge" him mid-match. Jacob, usually the most loyal soldier, hesitated. That split second of doubt was all it took. With an assist from JC Mateo and a debuting Talla Tonga, Solo Sikoa pinned his own cousin to take the title.
Basically, Solo stole the belt to keep Jacob in line. It was a desperate move by a guy who knew his grip on power was slipping.
Why the SummerSlam Steel Cage Match Changed the Game
If Night of Champions was the breakup, SummerSlam 2025 was the divorce. They locked these two in a Steel Cage at MetLife Stadium, and it was probably the most violent match of the year.
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Solo Sikoa tried to use the cage as a tool of oppression. He actually had the MFTs (the rebranded Bloodline) help him handcuff Jacob to the top of the cage. It was supposed to be a humiliation. But Jacob Fatu is a different breed. He literally ripped the handcuffs loose—I still don't know how his wrists didn't snap—and delivered a splash from the very top of the cage.
- The Outcome: Solo barely escaped with the win, but he lost the war of perception.
- The Fallout: Jacob was written off TV shortly after following a brutal backstage "dental injury" attack in October 2025.
- The Rebrand: Solo’s group fully transitioned into "The MFT," moving away from the Bloodline name to distance themselves from the shadow of Roman Reigns and the "failed" Jacob Fatu experiment.
Real Talk: The Anoa’i Family Tree Doesn't Forgive
Jacob Fatu isn't just some guy Solo hired. He’s the son of The Tonga Kid (Sam Fatu). He’s the nephew of Rikishi and the late, great Umaga. When Solo attacked him, he wasn't just hitting a teammate; he was spitting on the legacy of the most powerful family in wrestling history.
There’s a lot of talk about Jacob's real-life history, too. He’s been open about his past, including his time in jail at 18 for robbery. He’s said in interviews that watching his cousins, The Usos, on a jailhouse TV is what inspired him to change his life. That kind of hunger is something Solo Sikoa—who grew up in the business with a clearer path—could never truly understand.
Jacob has seven kids. He’s wrestling for more than just a paycheck or a plastic belt. He’s wrestling for a legacy that Solo tried to claim without truly earning it.
What’s Next for Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa in 2026?
As of January 2026, the word is that Jacob Fatu is healthy and ready to return. The "injury hiatus" gave him time to reset, and the WWE Universe is more than ready.
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Reports from Sports Illustrated and other insiders suggest that 2026 is going to be the year Jacob finally moves into the Undisputed Title picture. Meanwhile, Solo Sikoa is still holding onto the United States Championship, but the cracks in his new "MFT" faction are showing.
If you’re wondering how this ends, keep an eye on the upcoming Royal Rumble. There is almost no chance Jacob Fatu returns without his sights set directly on Solo’s head.
What you should do next:
- Rewatch the SummerSlam 2025 Steel Cage match on Peacock or Netflix. Pay attention to the moment Jacob breaks the cuffs; it’s a total foreshadowing of his "unbound" character for 2026.
- Follow Jacob Fatu’s socials. He recently updated his profile to a photo of The Penguin (the DC villain), which many fans think is a hint about him playing both sides of the family war.
- Keep an eye on the Friday Night SmackDown cards. With the road to WrestleMania 42 beginning, a Jacob Fatu return is the biggest "when," not "if," in the industry right now.
The Bloodline didn't die when Roman Reigns left. It just evolved into something much more dangerous. And with Jacob Fatu coming back, Solo Sikoa’s time as the "Tribal Chief" of his own making is officially on the clock.