WWE RAW star Jacob Fatu has become a fan favorite in a very short time, thanks to his hard-hitting wrestling style and passionate promos. Instead of sticking closely to scripted lines, Fatu prefers to speak naturally and be himself. While fans love that approach, he admits it can sometimes make WWE officials a little nervous.
Speaking in a recent interview with Hot 97, Fatu explained why staying true to himself is more important than following a script.
Fatu said he understands that WWE is a big company where TV segments are carefully planned. But he also believes fans connect more with someone who feels real instead of someone who sounds rehearsed.
Fatu also shared a piece of advice he received from WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi that has stayed with him throughout his career.
“I just remember my uncle Rikishi saying this, ‘Man, your first impression could be your last impression.’ So…I don’t want to regret or anything,” Fatu said.
He explained that reading lines word-for-word has never felt right to him. Instead, he talks the same way he normally does, using the slang and style he grew up with in Northern California. Fatu said that’s just who he is, not a character he is playing.
“It’s not only because who my family is, ‘Okay, yeah, he’s going to get time.’ No, it’s not. I mean, man… you got to be able to pull through. And not only that, I just felt like, you know… ‘Tomorrow night when that bell rings, as soon…’ (screams dramatically)… No, no, no. it ain’t none of that. Because it didn’t feel natural, man. It didn’t feel organic,” he said.
Fatu added that fans wouldn’t connect with him if he tried to be someone else.
“So man, okay, we’re from Northern… I’m from California, West Coast to be exact, but Northern California. And I just felt like, there ain’t no other way, man. If they’re going to gravitate towards me, Jacob, they I got to be me. Even when I come do stuff like this and and they know, ‘Hey, man, I’m not going to be in character mean like, no, man. There’s only one way I know how to be, and that’s me,” he said.
However, the Samoan Werewolf admitted that his freestyle way of speaking can sometimes make WWE management a little uneasy. Because he doesn’t stick closely to a script, officials aren’t always sure what he might say during a live promo.
Fatu said he understands that and maintains a balance between being himself and respecting WWE’s rules.
“But when it comes down to the paper, I just know the office. They probably be scared. I’ll be back here about to say…but I know where it’s at. But I also know the lingo over there,” Fatu said.
His honest and natural style has helped him stand out from the rest of the roster for sure.
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