Following a significant victory over Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42, Jacob Fatu quickly confronted the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns, on RAW. The rivalry between the cousins has been intense, with Fatu taking control for the most part.
At Backlash last weekend, Reigns and Fatu clashed in a highly anticipated match. The Samoan Werewolf pushed The Head of the Table to his limits, but Reigns ultimately claimed victory. Nonetheless, Jacob Fatu is not ready to back down.
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Fatu is determined to capture the World Heavyweight Championship to secure a better future for his family. The events following Backlash hinted that The Samoan Werewolf might achieve his goal.
In this article, we explore three indications that Jacob Fatu will win the World Heavyweight Championship after Backlash.
Real Reason why Jacob Fatu lost at Backlash – Check Here!
Roman Reigns wants Jacob Fatu out of WWE
Roman Reigns came out on top against Jacob Fatu at Backlash 2026, but the match tested The Head of the Table significantly. Reigns had to resort to exposing a turnbuckle to slow Fatu down before finally defeating him with a spear.
Chaos ensued after the match as Jacob Fatu lost control, attacking several individuals at ringside, including Dan Engler, various officials, and Adam Pearce, and ultimately applying the Tongan De*th Grip on Reigns.
After the show, Reigns expressed strong opinions backstage. In an interview with Cathy Kelley, the World Heavyweight Champion stated that Jacob Fatu never belonged in WWE, suggesting it should have been Fatu’s final night in the company.
These comments could potentially lead to a larger stipulation match between the two. WWE might transform their feud into a Title vs. Career match eventually, making it plausible for Jacob Fatu to finally defeat Roman Reigns and claim the World Heavyweight Championship.
WWE protected Jacob Fatu heavily despite the loss
Although Jacob Fatu lost to Roman Reigns at Backlash 2026, WWE clearly aimed to protect his character throughout the match. The Samoan Werewolf was portrayed as a formidable force from start to finish.
Reigns couldn’t defeat Fatu cleanly, requiring the exposed turnbuckle to drive Jacob into the steel while the referee was down, setting up for the final spear.
Fatu showed dominance during the match, kicking out after a Superman Punch, enduring multiple spears, and overpowering Reigns several times. The challenger even slammed the champion through the announce table with a powerful powerbomb.
The most telling moment came after the match when Jacob lost control, applying the Tongan De*th Grip on Reigns. Security intervened but was also taken down.
The show concluded with a striking visual: Fatu standing over a fallen Reigns, holding the World Heavyweight Championship. This could hint at WWE’s future plans.
The Tongan De*th Grip has been treated as unstoppable
Since Jacob Fatu introduced the Tongan De*th Grip, WWE has portrayed it as one of the most dangerous moves in the company. Commentary has consistently emphasized its legendary status, noting it as a move that can’t be learned in wrestling schools but is rather passed down through family generations.
Originally popularized by WWE Hall of Famer Haku, the move has been further enhanced by Roman Reigns during the build-up to Backlash 2026. The Tribal Chief mentioned that the De*th Grip should only be used in extreme situations and never against family members.
WWE has presented the hold as the greatest threat to Reigns in their rivalry. Fatu frequently incapacitated the World Heavyweight Champion with the move before Backlash and even used it during the contract signing, putting Reigns through a table.
The same scenario unfolded during the match, with the Tongan De*th Grip being the only move that completely neutralized Roman Reigns. The Head of the Table escaped only by using the referee as a distraction and slamming Fatu into the exposed turnbuckle.
The most significant moment occurred post-match when Jacob applied the grip on Reigns again, leaving the champion in pain as Backlash concluded. Given the protection WWE has provided the move, it’s likely that Fatu will ultimately win the World Heavyweight Championship with it.
Reigns currently lacks a counter to this powerful hold, struggling against it during their encounter at the Tampa PLE. As their feud is expected to continue, Reigns could eventually fall victim to the maneuver in their next match. A stipulation might be added, increasing the chances of Fatu’s victory.
Edited by Parth Pujara
