Subhojeet Mukherjee on May 7, 2026
Jacob Fatu didn’t just randomly bring back the legendary Tongan Death Grip against Roman Reigns — according to him, the move was always part of the plan.
While speaking on the No Contest Wrestling podcast, Fatu opened up about reviving the iconic maneuver associated with wrestling legend Haku during his feud with Roman Reigns. Fatu explained that the move carries deep meaning within his family and Tongan wrestling culture, which is why he felt it needed to be saved for a moment this important.
“It’s a sacred move. It’s a legendary move. It’s a move to where you cannot change the name.”
Fatu made it clear that while wrestling fans often focus heavily on Samoan wrestling dynasties, the Tongan side of Polynesian wrestling heritage carries its own legacy and danger.
“We’re all Polynesian. They know about the Samoans, the Hawaiians. But when it comes to our Tongan brothers, our Tongan Island, you know, it’s different.”
He then spoke directly about Haku’s reputation and why the move still carries so much weight in his mind.
“We’re talking about a man who is so loving, but take him the wrong way — the great Haku will put this thing, this Tongan death grip on you.”
According to Fatu, bringing the move back became necessary because Roman Reigns has already survived nearly everything else imaginable inside the ring. That’s why Fatu felt he needed something more personal and symbolic to finally break Reigns down.
“Roman Reigns has been through everything. Roman has been through everything — F5 through 10, man, he’s been through it all. It can’t be just the power. It can’t be just a drop on his head. It needs to be something that’s within the family.”
Fatu explained that the move represents something dangerous enough to impact anyone in their bloodline — not just Roman himself.
“Something that’s within the family that could take all of us out. Not just him — it could take all of us out.”
He also confirmed that the return of the move wasn’t improvised in the moment. According to Fatu, this was always part of the strategy heading into the feud.
“So you had to bring something so sacred back. I had to. And it was the plan.”
Fatu then pointed to Roman’s reaction after being caught in the hold as proof that the move is still devastating decades after Haku made it famous.
“Look at the end of the day — the look on his face. Look how it looked every time he’s dropping down to his knees.”
He even referenced Haku’s legendary reputation for physically destroying opponents over the years while explaining why the move still carries fear.
“Imagine everybody else that the great Haku had put this on to where they are no longer here no more.”
Fatu closed by making it clear he believes the move has already changed the dynamic of the feud entirely.
“At the end of the day, it’s working. At the end of the day, it’s tapped in. And at the end of the day, it don’t look like Roman can stop it.”
The Tongan Death Grip became one of the defining visuals of Fatu’s ongoing rivalry with Reigns, especially after he used it during the chaotic contract signing segment leading into his match against Roman Reigns at Backlash.
Bottom line — Jacob Fatu sees the Tongan Death Grip as more than just a wrestling move. To him, it’s family history, cultural legacy, and a weapon powerful enough to finally crack Roman Reigns after years of dominance.
Do you think bringing back the Tongan Death Grip made Jacob Fatu feel even more dangerous heading into his feud with Roman Reigns? Let us know your thoughts.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
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