During a recent appearance at Fanatics Fest NYC, Randy Orton engaged with indie wrestling prospect Zilla Fatu, the son of the late Umaga. The brief encounter between the WWE icon and the rising talent sparked immediate discussion among fans.
Orton, who returned to WWE television at Survivor Series 2023 after a year-long absence due to significant back issues, took a moment to acknowledge Fatu. He then offered an encouraging hint about the younger wrestler’s potential future.
Did you start wrestling? Just started? I’ll probably be seeing you soon.
The two shared a hug before Orton resumed signing autographs and taking photos with fans. The exchange, though brief, clearly indicated that Fatu has garnered Orton’s attention.
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Orton is currently active in the King of the Ring tournament and recently concluded a major 2024 program involving Gunther for the World Heavyweight Title. Despite a busy schedule as one of the most prominent names on the roster, he made time for this subtle acknowledgment of the next generation of wrestlers.
In early 2025, speculation about Fatu’s potential WWE debut was prominent. Reports from January 22, 2025, suggested that the Royal Rumble on February 1, 2025, would have provided an ideal setting for his surprise entrance, potentially aligning with Roman Reigns against other members of The Bloodline, such as Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. Fatu had consistently expressed his goal of signing with WWE and joining his family’s dominant faction, The Bloodline. He had also made his allegiance to Roman Reigns clear, positioning him as a compelling potential addition to either side of The Bloodline’s ongoing internal conflict. Analysts believe his natural charisma and intensity make him a standout prospect.
In a March 2025 interview, Fatu teased an upcoming debut that would be “very big” and “impactful” for his family, further fueling rumors of a WWE signing. He emphasized that he would bring a “raw” and “uncut” authenticity to the main roster. While he did not explicitly name WWE, his references to family strongly suggested it was his target destination. According to reports from December 30, 2024, it had been suggested that, given his relative inexperience, he might start in WWE’s ID program or NXT, although a direct main roster debut was not ruled out due to his lineage.
Towards the end of 2024, Fatu outlined his career objectives for 2025. His primary goals included winning more championships, expanding his personal brand, particularly on YouTube, and strengthening his professional team. A significant personal objective for Fatu is to obtain early parole. He mentioned he has been staying out of trouble and hopes a judge will approve his release, which would allow him to wrestle overseas and collect more international titles. He stated he is in “no rush” and remains focused on trusting the process and building his career “one brick at a time.”
Fatu has maintained an active presence on the independent wrestling circuit, competing for promotions such as Reality of Wrestling and HOG. However, his journey has faced some recent interruptions. On September 20, 2024, Game Changer Wrestling announced that Fatu would not be appearing at their events for the “foreseeable future,” stating they had “reached an impasse” and wished him well. Additionally, in March 2025, Limitless Wrestling announced that Fatu had suffered an injury the prior weekend, leading to his withdrawal from a scheduled match against Anthony Greene. The specific nature or severity of the injury was not disclosed at the time.
Randy Orton Tells Zilla Fatu “I’ll Probably Be Seeing You Soon” pic.twitter.com/AsQuLqvjMk
— Ringside News: WWE & AEW Wrestling News (@ringsidenews_) June 22, 2025
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