Jacob Fatu Reveals How Jail Time Led Him to a Career in Pro Wrestling

Jacob Fatu is the very definition of a success story since he had very humble beginnings, including a stint in jail. In a recent interview, The Samoan Werewolf revealed how he went from jail to starting his career in pro wrestling.

While speaking on The Breakfast Club, Jacob Fatu was asked how he got into wrestling and what made him want to do it. Fatu said going to jail was tough. As a kid he had already been through a lot, but turning 18 meant he didn’t get any more chances since he was sent straight to prison. It was hard being in a cell with a bunch of other people, even having to use the toilet in front of them.

One day, while flipping through channels on the TV in the common room, Fatu saw The Usos wrestling and that hit him hard. Seeing his family on TV made him realize he didn’t want to live like that anymore. He decided to change and make something better of himself.

“Man, you know what? Somewhat similar to Charlemagne’s Big Brother story. It just took me one time to go to jail, bro. That was it. I was 18, I had my kids, and I was locked down. Even before that, as a juvenile, I was roughheaded—going to juvie, all that. But when you turn 18, you don’t get no passes. They send you straight upstate.

Advertising

Advertising

So, being locked down, man, it was weird. You’re on the toilet with 12 other dudes facing you. I had to double back. I was sitting in my cell, flipping through the channels—there’s always that one TV—and who comes on? My big cousins, The Usos.

Sorry if I get emotional, ’cause that moment really changed my life. When I saw them, I knew: this ain’t it. This ain’t the move. Like you said, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Just because you’re a product of your environment doesn’t mean you have to let the environment take you down.”

After getting out, Fatu started to turn things around. At the time, he had two kids and had even named two of them while in jail. He said it wasn’t a good place to be, but his wife stood by him. She answered his calls and helped him while he was locked up. He said being in jail without someone on the outside is really hard, it makes time go by even slower.

Jacob Fatu was very thankful for his wife. She was doing everything for him, even though he felt like he should have been the one taking care of her and the kids. When he got out, she drove up to get him in Northern California and told him, “If you love me and the kids, get in the car—we’re moving down south.”

“So, I got out, and I switched everything. Shout out to my wife. I had two kids then—seven now—and I even named two of them while I was in jail. It just wasn’t a good look. But my wife? One of the realest ones. If you’re locked up with no one on the outside, no commissary, no calls, your time drags. She answered those calls. When people don’t pick up, you see guys lose it on the phone.

Thank God I had her. She took care of me when I should’ve been the one stepping up. When I got out, she didn’t even know what I planned. I’m from Northern California. My wife came up north, picked me up, and said, ‘If you love me and my kids, get in the car—we’re moving south.'”

Jacob’s uncle Rikishi, his own father The Tonga Kid, Gangrel, and their uncle Reno Anoa’i ran a wrestling school called Knox Pro Academy in Southern California. That’s where Jacob, Solo Sikoa, and Rusev trained. His wife already lived in that area too, so it all came together perfectly.

When Fatu moved, he got straight to work. But before wrestling took off, he worked as a bouncer at clubs for only $60 a night. He said they were just trying to get by and support each other, holding on to their culture and family roots.

“My uncle Rikishi—he’s The Usos and Solo’s dad—and my dad is The Tonga Kid. Rikishi, Gangrel, and my uncle Reno Anoa’i had a wrestling school called Knox Pro Academy. It’s still around. Rusev, Solo, we all came out of there. They were in SoCal, and my wife lived there too. It was God’s timing.

When I got down there, I just went to work. But before that, we were bouncing at clubs for $60 a night. We were just trying to get through, knowing our people and culture.”

Jacob Fatu had a rough upbringing but he didn’t let it define him and he’s clearly turned his life around, becoming one of WWE’s biggest stars and fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

What did you take away from Jacob Fatu’s story? Have you ever experienced a life-changing turning point that led you down a new path? Sound off in the comments.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.