In late 2025, WWE Superstar Jacob Fatu took an unexpected break from wrestling to undergo dental surgery after sustaining a significant injury. During this time, Fatu shared that he used his hiatus to focus on his family and personal recovery, including getting 11 teeth pulled, which was originally planned to be 12. This difficult period allowed him to reconnect with his children, something he had lost touch with prior to his injury.
I was supposed to get 12 teeth, I got 11 teeth pulled out in the back,
Fatu explained.
It was being home. And man, honestly, I remember my uncle Rikishi saying this, ‘When you’re home [with] something, you’ve been out of sight, out of mind, that phone’s gonna stop ringing.’
?Jacob Fatu, WWE Superstar
Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Fatu emphasized that his family remained his priority throughout his recovery. Spending time at home gave him the chance to regroup before making his return to WWE action in early 2026.
Return to WWE and Recent Storylines
Jacob Fatu made his comeback on the January 9, 2026, episode of Friday Night SmackDown, where he dramatically interfered in the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. His interference helped McIntyre secure the title, but tensions among Fatu, McIntyre, and Rhodes continue, as no alliances have been formed.
Shortly after, Fatu entered the 2026 Royal Rumble at the 27th spot. He lasted over nine minutes before being eliminated by the eventual winner, Roman Reigns, highlighting his growing presence in WWE competition.
Since his debut in 2024 as part of Solo Sikoa’s version of the Bloodline faction, Fatu has steadily risen through WWE ranks. In 2025, he broke away from the Bloodline, betraying Sikoa at Money in the Bank and engaging in a heated rivalry with him. Afterwards, Fatu shifted his focus toward capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship.
His absence from television starting in October 2025 was explained through a backstage attack storyline by an unknown Superstar, providing a narrative reason for his hiatus while he recovered from his dental surgery.
Implications of His Hiatus and Future Prospects
Jacob Fatu’s dental surgery and time away from the ring underscore the physical toll professional wrestling can take, while also highlighting the importance of personal priorities amid such demands. His candidness about the experience reveals the challenges wrestlers face when dealing with injuries and how they balance career and family life.
His return injected fresh tension into WWE storylines, especially among major contenders for the championship, suggesting his role will remain pivotal in upcoming events. As Fatu continues to rebuild momentum, fans can expect him to be a significant figure in WWE’s evolving landscape throughout 2026.
