Zilla Fatu made his official WWE debut on the August 11 episode of NXT at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, immediately inserting himself into the NXT Championship picture. Umaga’s son interrupted a match between Grayson Waller and Cruz Montana that was set to determine Tony D’Angelo’s next challenger.
Fatu attacked both Waller and Montana, forcing the match to end in a no-contest. He then turned his attention to D’Angelo, who had been watching from ringside, sending a clear message that he’s coming straight for the NXT Championship.
In his first interview since the debut, Fatu joined Booker T and Brad Gilmore on their Hall of Fame podcast and opened up about the emotions he felt before going out on camera. Fatu revealed he said a prayer and felt his father Umaga was with him in that moment.
“Whenever I pulled up, I already knew what time it was. Long as they called the play, I ran it. I did exactly what was told and I put my flavor on it. I put my flavor on it and we did it like that and we had fun. Right before I went out, I just said a quick prayer to myself, and I knew my dad was there because I felt him. I felt him, and right before I went out, it just happened. I don’t even know how to express it. The slide in, everything I did. And then right before I slid in, I looked at Book. I seen him. I was like, ‘Okay, yup, yup.’ Long as he looking, we good. But other than that, I couldn’t explain it. It’s a memory I’ll never forget. I’m ready to start this new journey and like I said, you guys better buckle up. It’s gonna be a long ride.”
Booker T’s presence also carried special meaning for Fatu. Before coming to WWE, he built much of his career in Reality of Wrestling, the promotion and school run by the Hall of Famer, where he captured the top championship.
The fallout from Fatu’s debut continues on the August 18 NXT, with Waller and Montana set to address last week’s attack.