Jacob Fatu, famously known as The Samoan Werewolf, revealed during a recent interview on Busted Open that he had 11 teeth extracted while on a break from WWE. This surprising health update came as Fatu described how this difficult experience unfolded during his time away from the wrestling spotlight.
Impact of Absence on Family and Support System
Fatu spoke candidly about the emotional toll that accompanied his hiatus, relating it to advice from his uncle Rikishi. He said,
“I mean, 11 teeth. I was supposed to get 12 teeth. I got 11 teeth pulled out in the back. So got 11 teeth. It was being home, and man, honestly, I remember my uncle Rikishi saying this, ‘when you’re home and something, you know, you, you been out of sight, out of mind, you know, that phone’s gonna stop ringing.’ That phone stopped ringing, you know? It was like, you know, nothing with my family or anything. But once you got seen it with my family, you get calls, need this, need that.”
?Jacob Fatu, WWE Wrestler
This statement highlights how Fatu’s absence led to a feeling of isolation but also how reemerging created renewed connections and responsibilities within his family circle.
Influence of AJ Styles on Jacob Fatu’s WWE Appearance
During the same interview, Fatu credited wrestling legend AJ Styles for encouraging him to change his ring appearance at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. Fatu shared the exchange, saying,
“I want to shout out AJ Styles. He seen me at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and he seen the transformation, and he was just like, ‘dude, are you freaking finna wear a shirt out there?’ I was just like, ‘yeah,’ and he was like, ‘dude, you freaking got abs. I’d go out there with no shirt. What are you doing?’ So shout out to AJ, baby. You know what I mean? Congratulations on retirement, but it was because of him, man, why I took it- I was ashamed to take it off, and I was going to wrestle with no shirts. I just thought- I didn’t know. I wanted to get those complete, you know what I mean? But it was just the process of doing it, and, man, when The Phenomenal One says, ‘hey, man, I would do this,’ then, okay, I’m going to listen.”
?Jacob Fatu, WWE Wrestler
This encouragement helped Fatu embrace a new presentation style that reflected his physical transformation and boosted his confidence in the ring.
Significance of Fatu’s Reveal and Next Steps
Jacob Fatu’s disclosure about his dental surgery and the influence of prominent peers provides a deeper understanding of the struggles and growth he has undergone during his WWE hiatus. His openness about health challenges and his willingness to adapt his persona signals a renewed dedication to his career. Fans and followers can anticipate ongoing evolution in both Fatu’s personal life and professional wrestling performances as he continues to recover and return to the spotlight.
