Jacob Fatu Opens Up On What It Would Mean To Defeat Roman Reigns At WWE Backlash: ‘This Is Exactly The Moment I Was Grinding For, I Was The Cousin That Wasn’t Supposed To Be Here’

Published: May 5, 2026 by Connel Rumsey | Last Updated: May 5, 2026 by Connel Rumsey

Connel has over five years of wrestling journalism experience writing about some of the biggest stories from across the wrestling world. Being a fan for 20 years, Connel has an expansive knowledge from a wide range of various wrestling promotions, including WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA and Joshi.
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Jacob Fatu has opened up on what it would mean for him to defeat Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE Backlash.

Roman Reigns is set to make the first defence of his World Heavyweight Championship this Saturday at WWE Backlash in Tampa, with him facing off against his cousin Jacob Fatu.

Jacob and Roman have had a number of segments on both Raw and SmackDown in recent weeks, with Jacob explaining that he wants the title and everything that comes with it to support his family.

Jacob Fatu On What It Would Mean To Win World Heavyweight Championship

Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Jacob was asked what it would look like if he were to win the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash.

He said:

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“It will look like exactly what it’s supposed to look like with that title on me. It’s everything that I grinded for, everything I went through the struggle for.

“I’m not saying I had the worst life, I just made bad decisions. But it ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish, so I gotta finish on top. I gotta finish and do what’s right by my family.

“When they was up here in WWE running the Bloodline, and I was broke foaming out the mouth, grinding on the frontline, this is exactly the moment I was grinding for.

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“I was the cousin that wasn’t supposed to be here, but we on First Take ESPN, I think we’re doing pretty great right now.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

Could Jacob Fatu Win World Heavyweight Championship At WWE Backlash?

With Roman Reigns’ run as the World Heavyweight Champion only beginning back at WrestleMania 42, it seems like it’s almost a guarantee that he will leave Backlash this weekend as the World Heavyweight Champion.

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However, if WWE wanted to create a moment to remember in Tampa, there are a number of potential avenues the company could explore that lead to Jacob leaving with the title.

Roman Reigns is no longer advertised for WWE’s upcoming European tour in June, leading to speculation that he may no longer be champion come June to prevent a part time champion running Raw.

The Usos have also been distant from Roman Reigns over the past two weeks, with them scouting Jacob during his matches on SmackDown against the MFTs.

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