Jacob Fatu sidelined by nonwrestling injury, could extend into 2026

Jacob Fatu, a rising WWE star, is reportedly dealing with a nonwrestling injury that could sideline him for an extended period, potentially into 2026, according to people familiar with the matter. WWE has not confirmed the report, and the company’s advertised plans for upcoming SmackDown episodes have not been formally updated.

Fatu returned to WWE television on the September 26 episode of SmackDown after a brief absence and was slated to face Drew McIntyre on the October 17 broadcast. The match was booked after the two became involved in a physical confrontation on the October 10 show. Prior to his televised comeback, Fatu competed in a dark match on September 12 and had been off television intermittently since mid-August, prompting earlier questions about his availability.

The new information that the injury is nonwrestling related and potentially long-term emerged in backstage reports this week. Specifics about the nature of the injury, how it occurred, and the expected recovery timeline were not disclosed. A cryptic social media message from a wrestling account that included a GIF of Fatu and the phrase "The bug strikes another" had already prompted public speculation about...