Jacob Fatu Returns On SmackDown, Destroys Roman Reigns

Back at SummerSlam 2024, it seemed as though Jacob Fatu had injured himself in an announce table splash spot, and after the show he was helped to the back by officials and seen wearing a boot. Triple H noted at the time that he was “banged up”, but the extent of this injury was uncertain and it wasn’t known whether it was even legit. 

Throughout the last week, it was reported that he would be back by the end of August by PWInsider, but this was followed up by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer stating that Fatu was written off TV to keep him away from Roman Reigns. Well, he hasn’t been kept away long as he returned on last night’s August 16 episode of SmackDown. 

The closing segment of SmackDown saw Roman Reigns lured in to trying to retrieve the ula fala necklace from Solo Sikoa, and despite initially fending off Sikoa and Tama Tonga and putting it around his neck, Reigns was ambushed by the returning Fatu. He was still wearing his walking boot, but that didn’t stop him from hitting a running hip and teaming up with the other Bloodline members to powerbomb Reigns through the announce table. The Bloodline stood tall to end the show over Reigns’ prone body.