Jacob Fatu Admits Drug Problems Nearly Ruined His Wrestling Career

Jacob Fatu is opening up about one of the darkest stretches of his life — including drug problems, missed wrestling bookings, and why he believes joining WWE earlier could have completely destroyed his career.

While speaking with Peter Rosenberg, Fatu got brutally honest about the personal struggles that nearly derailed everything before finally making it to WWE. According to Fatu, the biggest problem was trying to balance wrestling while still being tied to street life at the same time.

“I blew it, and this is why Jacob Fatu got iffy. And, you know, I ain’t ashamed to talk about it because it is what it is. I would have one foot in the streets and another foot in wrestling, and it didn’t work like that.”

Fatu then admitted drugs became a major issue for him, especially during the pandemic period when things spiraled further.

“I just had a little drug problem back in the day, but that’s what it was. You know, the pandemic too—I had a lot going on. I had a lot riding.”

He even revealed that his addiction directly caused him to miss wrestling commitments, including a show for Booker T. Fatu didn’t dance around the issue at all and made it clear what was behind that period of his life

“I missed Booker’s show because I was hanging in the alley at 5:30 in the morning, supposed to leave—just, man, just left it alone. No, it was the drugs. You know what I mean? It was the drugs. It was the dope I was on.”

Despite everything, Fatu said those struggles ultimately helped shape who he became and why his WWE run is happening now instead of years earlier.

“I feel like if I would have been in WWE even a day earlier, bro, I probably would have been let go—and that’s just me keeping it 100.”

That line may end up being one of the most revealing parts of the entire interview because fans have spent years wondering why someone with Fatu’s talent didn’t land in WWE sooner. But according to him, the timing finally made sense only after he learned from the mistakes and chaos that came before it: “I think there was no better timing besides this timing.”

Fatu also addressed criticism surrounding the growing number of Samoan and Tongan stars in WWE and shut it down immediately.

“Okay, yeah, they could say, ‘Oh, there’s too many Samoans, too many Tongans.’ Okay, but y’all still watching. All right? Obviously, y’all still locked in, so shut the hell up.”

Toward the end of the conversation, Fatu reflected on disappointing promoters and people who supported him during the roughest years of his life.

“A lot of people gave to me out of love just because of how I am. Now it’s like, okay, I got to remember who I am.”

Bottom line — Jacob Fatu isn’t hiding from the mistakes that nearly derailed his career before WWE. Instead, he’s openly admitting drugs, missed bookings, and personal struggles almost cost him everything, while also making it clear he believes the timing of his WWE rise finally happened exactly when it was supposed to.

What did you think about Jacob Fatu opening up so honestly about his past struggles and drug problems? Drop your thoughts below and let us know.

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