Jacob Fatu made a striking return to WWE SmackDown last month, significantly altering the dynamics around the Undisputed WWE Championship. The Samoan Werewolf’s comeback indirectly led to Cody Rhodes losing the title, which was soon claimed by Drew McIntyre, shaking up the championship hierarchy.
Mark Henry’s Reaction to Fatu’s New Physique
During an appearance on the Busted Open Radio podcast, Jacob Fatu opened up about his recent time away and the intense physical transformation he underwent. Hall of Famer Mark Henry, speaking alongside Bully Ray and Fatu, expressed his astonishment at the wrestler’s changed body. Henry remarked,
When you walked in the door, I told you (Jacob Fatu) the first thing I said was, I saw your body last week on TV and I went, ‘Oh s*** he in the gym.’ It was striking how good you looked. And no diddy. I’m just saying, but like even in your hips, you’re smaller and on the side, you can start to see your ribs and abs. So like, you may be 15 pounds away from us seeing the abs in the front.
?Mark Henry, WWE Hall of Famer
AJ Styles Encourages Fatu to Showcase His Physique
In the same discussion, Fatu revealed that fellow WWE star AJ Styles had encouraged him to ditch the shirt during his matches to highlight his transformation. Fatu shared,
Well, you know, I just spoke about this to somebody, you know. Well, first — before we get into that, I want to shout out AJ Styles. He seen me at Saturday Night Main, and he seen the transformation and he was just like, ‘Dude, are you freaking going to wear a shirt out there?’ And I was just like freaking, yeah. I was like, ‘Yeah. He was like, ‘Yo, you freaking got abs. I’d go out there with no shirt. What are you doing?’ And so, shout out to AJ, baby. You know what I mean? Congratulations, retirement.
?Jacob Fatu, WWE Star
But it was cuz of him, ain’t why I took I was I was ashamed to take it off. I didn’t, 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 would listen.
?Jacob Fatu, WWE Star
Context Behind Fatu’s Physical Changes
Jacob Fatu’s transformation is not just cosmetic but a result of dedicated time spent rebuilding his body. This physical upgrade arrived after a break from WWE programming, signaling his intent to elevate his in-ring presence. His changes are already drawing attention across the wrestling community, including from veterans like Mark Henry who now serves as a commentator, analyst, and coach in All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
The Significance of Fatu’s Return to WWE
The notable improvement in Fatu’s physique and his renewed energy in WWE competition could mark a new chapter for the Samoan Werewolf in the pursuit of major titles. His influence was felt immediately, as his presence shifted championship outcomes and brought fresh excitement to SmackDown audiences. Encouragement from established stars like AJ Styles also signals backstage support for Fatu taking more visibility and confidence in his appearance.
This physical reinvention suggests that Fatu is preparing for more prominent storylines, possibly challenging the current champions and making a deeper impact in WWE’s competitive landscape. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how his transformation fuels his performance and career trajectory in the coming months.
