More wrestling fans need to know about Jacob Fatu

Jacob Fatu is a name that more professional wrestling fans should recognize and is one of the best in the industry today. 

Who is the best professional wrestler in the industry today? Answers will range from Roman Reigns, Kazuchika Okada, Bryan Danielson, Seth Rollins, Mercedes Mone, and plenty of others. But what is the one that is truly at the top that isn’t on your radar? Jacob Fatu may be that man. And as he continues to rack up big victories and title reigns outside of the two biggest companies in the world, it’s time to recognize that Fatu is really a threat to the crown.

Let’s get the preliminary questions out of the way. Yes, Jacob Fatu is a member of the famed Anoa’i family. He is the son of Sam Fatu, also known as The Tonga Kid. Rikishi is Jacob’s uncle, which makes him the cousin of The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Roman Reigns. That already gives him a leg up when it comes to a natural inclination for success in professional wrestling, but Fatu has pushed that opportunity to a level that continues to astound.

At 31 years of age, he has multiple championship runs that are at least 200 days long. This includes his run as MLW World Heavyweight Champion that went 819 days. Yes, a part of this was due to the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still was part of a series of excellent matches during that time. This led to the massive title unification bout with Alex Hammerstone which was one of the biggest matches of 2021. Since that defeat, he’s remained one of the best-booked men in independent wrestling, keeping his mystique at a high level.

But what makes Fatu one of the names that fans should seek out? It’s almost as if he is the amalgamation of everything that has made his family members stars in their own way. His character demands attention like Roman. He can move around the ring in astounding ways for a man that is 280 pounds, hitting moonsaults and other top rope maneuvers. Then he breaks out the power moves like Solo or Umaga, putting foes away after toying with them. He can really do it all.

Could Fatu work on the larger stages in professional wrestling? Fans may not have to wait too long before finding out. According to Fightful, in 2020 MLW signed him to a deal that will keep him with the company into 2025. He will be 33 years of age and in his athletic prime. The Bloodline story is running WWE right now and there’s no telling where it will be in two years. Fatu has also been open about wanting to be involved.

"“Do I want to be there? Yeah, absolutely, but then again, I didn’t expect to be at MLW this long,” Fatu said in an April 2023 interview with Jeremy Lambert of Fightful. “It’s really in God’s hands. I’m thankful for it. I watch my brothers every day. Like Roman and my brothers say, they always call and tap in. They can say this and that about the family. Everyone is human. I love what they’re doing. That feeling of what they’re doing is real. If you ask me, it’s God’s timing. I’m going to leave it at that. There ain’t no telling.”"

While 2025 may be a long time away, fans should make it a point to see everything that Fatu does in the ring. He’s one of the best performers in the world and gives fans reasons to believe that every time he’s in battle. Tune into MLW and every other company that brings him in and you will not be disappointed.