Jacob Fatu Return Update: The Real Timeline and Who Stands First in His Path
After a stop-and-start 2025 that saw him win the United States Championship at WrestleMania and then battle through a serious dental issue, Jacob Fatu may be on the verge of a much quicker comeback than first feared.
Momentum, Then a Medical Timeout
Fatu’s year opened in high gear—capturing the U.S. Title at WrestleMania—before dropping it to Solo Sikoa at Night of Champions. He pivoted into a budding SmackDown program with Drew McIntyre, but that feud stalled when a legit dental procedure forced WWE to write him off TV via a backstage attack angle. Early chatter had Fatu potentially missing Royal Rumble and even WrestleMania.
The Latest: “Weeks,” Not “Months”
Backstage conversations at Survivor Series: WarGames pointed to Fatu trending toward a sooner-than-expected return. A new report from PWInsider adds fuel, suggesting he could be back on the road within a few weeks. There’s no firm date yet, but the tone around the locker room is optimistic.
What Could Be Next For Jacob Fatu?
Option 1: Run It Back With Solo Sikoa
It’s the cleanest re-entry. The Fatu–Solo chemistry has already been tested at live events, and revisiting that rivalry lets WWE plug Fatu straight into a high-stakes, Samoan-family power struggle with the MFTs lurking around every corner.
Option 2: Finish What He Started With Drew McIntyre
Fatu was lined up for a No. 1 Contender’s match before the timeout, and the McIntyre program never got out of first gear. With Drew coming off team glory at WarGames—and after high-profile losses to Cody Rhodes at Wrestlepalooza and Saturday Night’s Main Event—there’s space for a bruising, personal feud that doesn’t need a world title to feel massive.
Wild Card: A Fast Track Back To Top Billing
WWE has already positioned Fatu like a top-tier threat. If he returns before WrestleMania 42 (Las Vegas), it would be a miss not to feature the Samoan Werewolf prominently on the card—whether that’s a grudge match with Solo, a smash-mouth collision with Drew, or an eliminator that nudges him back toward championship conversations.
🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
This feels like a course-correction for a star WWE clearly rates. The initial “out for months” talk always read conservative; now the working expectation is weeks. If Fatu hits the ground running, the Solo rematch is the safest layup, but the McIntyre feud is the one with legs—two heavy hitters, zero filler, immediate stakes.
Bottom line: if he’s healthy, strap the rocket. There aren’t many authentic monsters who move like Fatu—and the audience hasn’t forgotten.
