Jacob Fatu Set to Defend His US Title Against Former Faction Leader at Night of Champions After SmackDown Confrontation

Next Saturday in Riyadh, Jacob Fatu will lock horns with Solo Sikoa in a highly-anticipated match for the United States Championship.

Jacob Fatu Set to Defend His US Title Against Former Faction Leader at Night of Champions After SmackDown Confrontation

Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu (via- WWE)

Jacob Fatu is set for his first US title defense since Backlash. He’ll take on his former Bloodline boss, Solo Sikoa, in a major grudge match on June 28 at Night of Champions. But how did this match come about? On this week’s SmackDown, Fatu and Sikoa had an in-ring confrontation. The former Tribal Chief regurgitated that no one else, but he brought Fatu into WWE.

Sikoa noted he did so to allow The Samoan Werewolf to make a name for himself. Moreover, he was ready to accept Fatu back into the family despite having suffered a betrayal at his hands at Money in the Bank. The Street Champion affirmed that he didn’t even need the US Champion to utter that “he loved Solo” to forgive him.

In fact, it was Sikoa who admitted that he loved Fatu because he’s the only one he had by his side. The crowd in Grand Rapids knew that Roman Reigns‘ ex-enforcer was just feigning innocence under the mask of a devious opportunist. After Sikoa made the offer, Fatu claimed that his former leader had been acting differently ever since The Samoan Werewolf won the US title at WrestleMania 41.

The former NWA Champion thought that maybe Sikoa was bothered by the fact that Fatu has a championship around his waist, but he doesn’t. Having said that, the 33-year-old son of The Tonga Kid laid out a challenge to Sikoa for the US title, which has been made official for Night of Champions, as mentioned initially.

Who arrived to the aid of Jacob Fatu on SmackDown?

The aforementioned segment didn’t end with just these two trading verbal blows. Instead, Jacob Fatu intercepted a Samoan Spike attempt by Solo Sikoa, who had just made it seem like Fatu was the most important person to him. At the end, it was all but a ruse. Fatu then started unloading on the former NXT North American Champion until JC Mateo barged in.

Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso
Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso [via- WWE]

Fatu had even tamed Mateo, but Sikoa chopped down the champ’s legs and launched a 2-on-1 assault on The Samoan Werewolf. Jimmy Uso made his way out to save the day for Fatu but got flattened by a clothesline from Mateo. Just as Sikoa and the erstwhile Jeff Cobb had Uso backed in a corner, they were unaware of a recuperated Fatu measuring them up from behind. The former Bloodline enforcer wiped out his rivals and stood tall.

Uso’s backing might prove pivotal to Fatu in his feud with Sikoa, who has a certain Hawaiian Hulk in Mateo to avail any help from. The Samoan Werewolf last put his US title on the line in a Fatal 4-Way match against LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and Damian Priest at Backlash. Fatu would end up pinning Knight after the then-Jeff Cobb made his shocking WWE debut and went right after The Megastar.

How does the Night of Champions card look like after this week’s SmackDown?

WWE has loaded up the card for its return to Saudi Arabia. The Night of Champions PLE will be headlined by John Cena defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against CM Punk. Their ongoing feud went a notch above on this week’s SmackDown as the Peacemaker actor delivered a pipe bomb of his own on its inventor—Punk.

John Cena and CM Punk
John Cena and CM Punk will square off at Night of Champions [via- WWE]

In yet another title match made official for NOC, Dominik Mysterio will take on AJ Styles, with the latter gunning to upstage the Judgment Day member for the Intercontinental Championship. Moreover, WWE will crown its 2025 King and Queen of the Ring next weekend in Riyadh.

Already in the men’s final is Randy Orton, as he dispatched a resilient Sami Zayn in the semifinals on SmackDown. The Viper now awaits the winner of Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso from Raw this Monday. On the women’s side of things, Asuka is in the finals and will face either Roxanne Perez or Jade Cargill for the QOTR crown.

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