Felix Upton on March 20, 2026
Tama Tonga has reportedly been fined a hefty amount by WWE — and it all comes down to him posting rehearsal footage online.
Andrew Zarian reported that Tonga was hit with a significant fine after posting behind-the-scenes video from rehearsals, something WWE still keeps tightly controlled despite its push for social media engagement.
“Word going around at SmackDown is that Tama Tonga was fined by WWE for posting a video of rehearsals last week. Was told it was significant of a fine.”
Tonga has been active online lately, sharing clips of his routine before and during SmackDown shows to give fans a closer look at what goes on behind the curtain. But this time, he reportedly crossed a line WWE doesn’t want talent crossing. It was noted: “WWE has an unwritten rule about not recording/posting during rehearsal.”
That rule has been in place for years. Even as WWE has opened up more backstage content for talent to share — including locker room footage and arena arrivals — rehearsals remain off-limits due to how much they can reveal about match structure, camera work, and planned moments before they air. So while the company encourages visibility, certain parts of the process are still protected. And this is obviously one of them.
Tonga is set to defend the WWE Tag Team Titles alongside Solo Sikoa on the March 20 episode of SmackDown, meaning this fine comes right as he’s featured in a major spot on the card. Now, instead of just building hype for his match, he’s dealing with a behind-the-scenes issue that shows WWE is still strict when it comes to protecting its production.
Do you think WWE was right to fine Tama Tonga for posting rehearsal footage, or should talent be allowed more freedom to show how things come together behind the scenes? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback below.
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