Jacob Fatu entered WWE Clash in Italy with arguably the biggest opportunity of his career. The Samoan Werewolf challenged Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship and appeared to be on the verge of completing one of the most remarkable rises in recent history.
Unfortunately for Fatu, the night did not end the way he had hoped. Despite pushing Reigns to his limit, The Samoan Werewolf ultimately fell short, allowing the Tribal Chief to retain his title. The loss was a major setback for one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars. Hence, many are now wondering what comes next for him.
Thanks for the submission!
The good news is that momentum can be rebuilt just as quickly as it can be lost in WWE. Jacob Fatu remains one of the most dangerous and popular stars on the roster. Hence, the company still has numerous options available to keep him near the top of the card.
That said, in this article, we look at three ways Fatu could regain momentum after failing to dethrone Roman Reigns.
#3. Jacob Fatu could return to SmackDown and challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship
Sometimes the best way to recover from a major loss is to immediately pursue another huge opportunity.
After falling short against Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu could shift his attention to SmackDown and target Cody Rhodes. The American Nightmare remains one of WWE’s top champions. Hence, a rivalry with him would instantly keep Fatu in the main-event scene.
More importantly, both have a storied history in the Stamford-based promotion. Hence, booking a rematch for them could be exciting for fans.
Fatu’s explosive offense and unpredictable nature would create an intriguing contrast to Rhodes’ more traditional babyface style. The story could revolve around Jacob attempting to prove that his loss to Reigns was merely a setback rather than a sign that he isn’t ready for championship gold.
The American Nightmare has built a reputation as a fighting champion who welcomes challenges from all corners of WWE. That makes Jacob Fatu a natural contender.
Even if The Samoan Werewolf doesn’t win the championship immediately, a competitive feud with Rhodes would remind fans why he is considered one of the most dangerous stars on the roster. A strong performance against the Undisputed WWE Champion could quickly restore the momentum he lost at Clash in Italy.
#2. Could turn his attention toward Solo Sikoa and settle his business with MFT
One of the most compelling stories WWE could tell involves Jacob Fatu revisiting his complicated history with Solo Sikoa‘s MFT.
Over the past few years, Fatu has found himself caught in the ongoing power struggles involving the Sikoa-led faction. While he has often been portrayed as an unstoppable force, he still has some bad blood with MFT.
After losing to Reigns, Solo Sikoa could be Fatu’s perfect target. If that happens, their rivalry could generate significant interest among fans. Both men possess hard-hitting styles and share deep family ties, creating the foundation for an emotionally charged feud.
Also, the program would allow Fatu to rack up meaningful victories without immediately re-entering the world title picture. WWE has often used personal rivalries to rebuild stars following major losses. By defeating Solo Sikoa in a high-profile feud, Jacob Fatu could regain credibility while simultaneously closing a significant chapter in his career.
A dominant victory over another Bloodline member would remind the WWE Universe that Fatu remains a force to be reckoned with despite his loss to Roman Reigns.
#1. Could force his way into the 2026 King of the Ring tournament and possibly win it
Jacob Fatu has never been portrayed as a superstar who waits for opportunities. Instead, he creates them.
Following his heartbreaking loss to Roman Reigns at Clash in Italy, WWE could lean into Fatu’s aggressive and unpredictable side by having him force his way into the 2026 King of the Ring tournament.
The Samoan Werewolf may not currently be scheduled to compete in the tournament; however, that doesn’t necessarily mean he has to stay on the sidelines. WWE could book a storyline where Fatu attacks one of the participants backstage before the event. Hence, leaving them unable to compete.
If that happens, the management would then be forced to find a last-minute replacement, allowing Fatu to take their spot in the bracket. The move would immediately re-establish him as one of the most dangerous men on the roster.
Rather than sitting around and dwelling on his defeat to Roman Reigns, Fatu would be taking matters into his own hands, ensuring that he remains in the spotlight. It would fit perfectly with the ruthless mentality that helped make him one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars. From there, Triple H and Co. could have him dominate the tournament field.
A string of victories over top-tier opponents would quickly erase the disappointment of Clash in Italy. Also, it would remind fans why many believed he was capable of dethroning the Tribal Chief in the first place. Each win would rebuild Jacob Fatu’s credibility while showcasing the intensity and physicality that have become synonymous with his character.
The ultimate payoff would come with The Samoan Werewolf winning the entire tournament. Capturing the King of the Ring crown would instantly elevate him back into the world championship picture, providing a clear path toward another title opportunity.
More importantly, it would transform the narrative surrounding Jacob Fatu’s career. Instead of being remembered as the superstar who failed to defeat Roman Reigns, he would become the man who overcame the odds and conquered one of WWE’s most prestigious tournaments.
If WWE is looking for the fastest and most effective way to restore Fatu’s momentum, having him force his way into the King of the Ring and emerge victorious could be the perfect solution.
Edited by Steffi