Jacob Fatu, known as the Samoan Werewolf, made a big impact with his surprise appearance on the June 21 episode of SmackDown for his debut in WWE. He entered dramatically by initiating aggressive attacks on WWE superstars Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and current WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. Becoming part of the powerful Bloodline group, Fatu made a grand entrance, immediately displaying his skills to new fans.
Dominance in the Ring
Fatu’s dominance was further solidified as he unleashed his fury on Paul Heyman, DIY, and the babyfaces Orton and Rhodes. In a particularly brutal moment, Fatu, alongside Bloodline members, delivered a triple powerbomb to Paul Heyman on the commentary table. This act was a direct response to Heyman’s refusal to acknowledge Solo Sikoa as the new Tribal Chief. Fatu’s solo dismantling of the tag team champions DIY and his assistance in helping the Bloodline triumph over Rhodes and Orton added to his burgeoning legend.
The Finisher That Turned Heads
The highlight of Fatu’s debut was his finisher move, the ‘Implant DDT,’ which drew significant attention. Bloodline’s online mentor, Rikishi, praised Fatu’s execution of the move. However, there’s an interesting backstory to this finisher—it was inspired by WWE veteran Gangrel, who recently made an appearance with Edge at a major AEW event.
Rikishi’s Revelation on the ‘Off the Top’ Podcast
During an episode of the Rikishi Fatu Off the Top podcast, Rikishi shared an intriguing tidbit. He revealed that Gangrel was in awe of Fatu’s use of the Impaler DDT. Rikishi quoted Gangrel saying, “He’s finished that he hit dead center of the ring was of course the Impaler DDT. Shout out to the Vampire Warrior, Gangrel. That’s right. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And man, he nailed it. And I talked to David about it. David was very happy, very proud. And he said he couldn’t have did a better job doing it. So he’s very honored that Jacob is hitting the DDT, which they call it the Implant DDT, but I just thought that was awesome. So he’s using that as his finish going forward.”
Gangrel’s AEW Endeavors
Despite being a veteran, Gangrel continues to be a significant figure in wrestling, appearing sporadically in AEW. Known for his role in WWE’s iconic Attitude Era as part of The Brood, Gangrel often collaborates with former WWE stars like Adam Copeland (Edge) and The Young Bucks.
Key AEW Appearances
Gangrel made a notable appearance at AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view last year, assisting Sammy Guevara in the Elite Deletion match against Matt Hardy. More recently, at AEW Double or Nothing 2024, he played a crucial role in Adam Copeland’s victory over Malakai Black. As Black neared victory, Gangrel’s intervention helped Copeland retain the title by rendering Black unconscious.
Future Prospects
There are ongoing speculations about Gangrel’s future in AEW. Tony Khan has expressed interest in having Gangrel as a regular fixture on AEW programming. However, as of now, no formal agreement has been reached. This opens the door for potential future collaborations, possibly even involving Jacob Fatu in WWE.
Fan Reactions and Expectations
Jacob Fatu’s WWE debut has left fans buzzing with excitement. The blend of his raw talent and the strategic moves of the Bloodline promises an exhilarating future. The wrestling community is eager to see how Fatu’s journey unfolds and what other surprises are in store.
Jacob Fatu’s entrance into WWE and his immediate alignment with the Bloodline marks the beginning of what promises to be a captivating saga in wrestling. His utilization of the Implant DDT, inspired by Gangrel, adds a layer of depth to his character and connects him to wrestling history. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as Fatu carves out his path in WWE, and the potential for future storylines and rivalries keeps the excitement alive.
