Add as a preferred source on Google Jacob Fatu struck a respectful tone ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns at WWE Backlash, which takes place this Saturday, May 9, in Tampa, Florida.
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up, Fatu said this is one of the biggest moments of his career. The “Samoan Werewolf” said he “prayed and cried for days like this” and called Reigns the biggest name in history.
“Man, man, man, this more than anything. I prayed, and I cried for days like this. I’m not only at Backlash, fresh out of WrestleMania, I’m going toe-to-toe, head-to-head, bangin’ with the best.”
“We’re not just talking about professional wrestling, we’re talking about the greatest of all time in sports entertainment, and it’s Roman Reigns. I wouldn’t have it no other way besides this Saturday at Backlash.”
Despite that statement, the feud between them is far from peaceful. On this week’s Monday Night RAW, Fatu and Reigns signed the contract for their match, only for the segment to end with Fatu locking in the Tongan Death Grip and putting the champion through a table.
WWE has framed the matchup as a new chapter in the Bloodline saga. Reigns captured the World Heavyweight Championship by defeating CM Punk in the main event of WrestleMania 42, ending a stretch of more than two years without a world title. Fatu, meanwhile, has been presented as a threat from within the family to the OTC’s reign.
Along with Reigns vs. Fatu, the Backlash card features Trick Williams defending the United States Championship against Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker, IYO SKY vs. Asuka, and Danhausen teaming with a mystery partner against The Miz and Kit Wilson.
The event will air on ESPN in the United States and on Netflix internationally.