Jacob Fatu shared the unexpected guidance he received from AJ Styles just before his retirement during an event at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII. Fatu was set to face Cody Rhodes that night, but the match never officially started as the two clashed throughout the arena before Drew McIntyre intervened. AJ Styles took notice of Fatu’s evolving presence and advised him to confidently walk to the ring shirtless to showcase his physique, congratulating him on his retirement.
Fatu explained the interaction on the Busted Open podcast, recounting,
“I want to shout out AJ Styles. He seen me at Saturday Night’s Main [Event] and he seen the transformation. He was just like, ‘Dude, are you freaking finna wear a shirt out there?’ I was just like, ‘Yeah.’ He was like, ‘You freaking got abs. I’d go out there with no shirt. What are you doing?’ So shout out to AJ, baby. Congratulations on the retirement. When the Phenomenal One says, ‘Hey man, I would do this,’ then okay, I’m gonna listen.”
Fatu’s Role in the WWE Championship Storyline
Jacob Fatu emerged as a significant figure within the Undisputed WWE Championship storyline after interfering in a high-stakes match where Cody Rhodes lost the title to Drew McIntyre in the Three Stages of Hell contest. His scheduled bout against Rhodes at the subsequent Saturday Night’s Main Event was replaced by a heated confrontation, highlighting Fatu’s growing prominence but also the tensions surrounding the title chase.
Drew McIntyre Addresses Fatu’s Legal Issues During SmackDown
Drew McIntyre did not shy away from referencing Jacob Fatu’s past arrest during a backstage SmackDown segment, using it to taunt Fatu amid an Elimination Chamber qualifying match that included Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn. McIntyre’s remarks were pointed as he said,
“We’ve got Randy ‘can’t win the big one anymore’ Orton & that catchphrase merchant LA Knight. Jacob, you may have the best chance in the Chamber because, out of everybody in there, you’ve spent more time behind bars.”
This moment underscored the ongoing personal and professional conflicts in WWE’s current storylines.
Pending Championship Opportunity for Jacob Fatu
Despite setbacks, Jacob Fatu was assured by Nick Aldis during a recent SmackDown broadcast that he will eventually get an opportunity to compete for the Undisputed WWE Championship. However, Aldis emphasized that patience is essential before Fatu’s championship shot materializes, leaving fans anticipating Fatu’s next moves and his potential impact on WWE’s title scene.
Significance of AJ Styles’ Advice and Fatu’s Upcoming Prospects
The advice AJ Styles gave to Jacob Fatu reflects the passing of experience from an established wrestling icon to a rising star facing important transitions. Fatu’s decision to heed Styles’ guidance may influence his ring persona and confidence going forward. Meanwhile, the spotlight on Fatu through the championship narrative and personal storylines adds layers of intensity to WWE’s programming. Fans will be watching closely to see how Fatu navigates these challenges and when he finally steps into a championship match.
Jacob Fatu says he was going to wrestle in a shirt at last month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, but AJ Styles encouraged him to show his physique:
“I want to shout out AJ Styles. He seen me at Saturday Night's Main [Event] and he seen the transformation. He was just like, ‘Dude,… pic.twitter.com/BjlgdzouiO
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) February 20, 2026
