Jacob Fatu’s sudden disappearance from WWE television in late 2025 wasn’t because of a storyline attack. The Samoan Werewolf later revealed that the real reason behind his absence was deeply personal, and it was something fans never expected.
The Backstage Attack That Wasn’t What It Seemed
Jacob Fatu was written off WWE television on the October 17, 2025 episode of SmackDown through a storyline backstage attack. According to the storyline, the assault left him unable to compete in his scheduled match against Drew McIntyre. For weeks, fans kept speculating about who was behind the attack. However, Fatu later revealed that WWE used the angle to cover for a real medical issue that he had been putting off for years.
11 Teeth, Not 12
Jacob Fatu opened up about the real reason behind his WWE absence during an appearance on Busted Open Radio. He revealed that doctors performed a major dental procedure, removing several teeth from the back of his mouth that had been causing him problems for a long time.
“11 teeth. I was supposed to get 12 teeth. I got 11 teeth pulled out in the back,” Fatu said.
He also admitted that he had been putting off the procedure for years because his busy wrestling schedule never gave him enough time to recover. His time away from WWE finally gave him the opportunity to get the treatment done properly.
Advice From Rikishi
While recovering, Jacob Fatu reflected on a piece of advice his uncle and WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi had given him years earlier. Rikishi told him that professional wrestling moves fast, and if a performer disappears from television even for a short time, people’s attention quickly shifts to someone else.
Fatu said he experienced that reality firsthand. According to him, many of the calls he used to receive from extended family members asking for favors slowed down while he was away from WWE television. Instead of taking it personally, he used the experience as motivation to return stronger than ever.
A Physical Transformation
Jacob Fatu didn’t use his time away just to recover. During his hiatus, he committed to a more disciplined training routine, improved his diet, and lost a significant amount of weight. When he returned to WWE television, fans immediately noticed the transformation.
Fatu came back looking leaner and more muscular than before. His noticeably more chiseled physique stood out, and he often competed without a shirt, proudly showing off the results of the hard work he had put in during his time away.
Where Jacob Fatu Stands Today
Jacob Fatu made a shocking return to WWE television on the January 9, 2026 episode of SmackDown during the Undisputed WWE Championship Steel Cage Match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre. He first attacked McIntyre before turning his attention to Rhodes, creating the opening McIntyre needed to escape the cage and become the new Undisputed WWE Champion.
However, Fatu’s return did not immediately lead to championship success. He challenged Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship several times but was unable to defeat The Tribal Chief. Their rivalry reached its peak at Clash in Italy, where Reigns retained the title after another hard-fought Tribal Combat match. After the match, Roman made it clear that he expected Fatu to acknowledge him, leaving the future of their relationship within The Bloodline uncertain.
No matter what direction Jacob Fatu’s WWE career takes next, his dental surgery story remains one of the most surprising real-life revelations in recent WWE history. It serves as a reminder that even the toughest and most intimidating Superstars have to deal with everyday health issues behind the scenes.
Gaurav Sharma
Founder & Lead Writer, Wrestling Nightmare
I’ve been hooked on wrestling since childhood—from the Attitude Era to today’s Bloodline saga, plus AEW and TNA. My favorite match of all time is The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2002), and I’ll always stand by Bray Wyatt’s untapped potential.
At Wrestling Nightmare, I break down news, analyze matches, and drop verified recaps. Got a correction or wanna debate? Hit me up at contact@wrestlingnightmare.com
