Jacob Fatu has opened up about nearly losing his opportunity with WWE before he was even hired, and credited Paul “Triple H” Levesque with giving him a second chance that ultimately led to an emotional moment at WrestleMania 42.
Appearing on What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon, Fatu revealed that WWE initially passed on him because of issues in his personal life, including addiction. “Before I actually got hired, I almost got fired before I got hired because of my addiction and stuff. It was just, it wasn’t really there.”
Fatu took responsibility for what happened, making clear that he did not blame WWE for its original decision. “They passed me. They did pass me. It was ’cause of me.”
For 19 days, Fatu said he did not know whether his opportunity with WWE had disappeared completely. The uncertainty was particularly difficult because his family was preparing for the possibility of relocating to Florida. “Our kids were asking me, ‘Dad, when we moved in to Florida’. I couldn’t even answer that for 19 days, cause I thought it was done. It was done.”
According to Fatu, WWE reconsidered the situation and Triple H ultimately decided he deserved another opportunity, albeit with a clear warning. “Your husband, they brought me up again, and your husband said, ‘We’ll give him a second chance. Everybody deserves a second chance. But when you get here, all that gotta stop.’”
That decision took on additional significance for Fatu when he eventually reached WrestleMania 42.
Fatu explained that the number 42 has a special meaning within his family and culture, saying it represents “Fatu.” He and The Usos have incorporated the number into their presentation, and Fatu had even posted “WM42” on social media around WrestleMania 40 despite having no guarantee at the time that he would ever make it to WWE. “I didn’t know if I was gonna be here. I knew but I didn’t know how.”
Two years later, Fatu found himself competing at WrestleMania 42. After his match, he returned backstage and was told Triple H wanted to see him.
Fatu said Triple H was already walking toward him when they met. The two embraced, and Fatu became emotional as he thanked him for giving him the opportunity that had changed his career. “As soon as I’m walking up. Your husband’s coming down, just gave me a hug, and I remember telling him, crying, telling him, ‘Thank you, thank you, man. Just you’re the one that gave me that second chance. I remember, man.’”
Triple H responded by turning the credit back toward Fatu. “He just grabbed my face like, ‘You did it. Don’t thank me. You did it. The only person that could mess this up is you, Jacob.’”
Fatu described the exchange as a particularly meaningful moment after everything it had taken for him to reach WWE. “It was a real good moment and a special moment.”
Fatu signed with WWE in 2024 after establishing himself as one of the biggest names outside the company, most notably during his run with MLW. His arrival brought another member of the Anoa’i family into WWE alongside Roman Reigns, The Usos and Solo Sikoa.
For Fatu, however, reaching WWE was far from guaranteed. His account makes clear that the opportunity almost disappeared before it began, and that Triple H’s decision to offer him another chance remains something he has not forgotten.
