#WWE #TripleH
A WWE star has recalled Triple H shooting down any notion that creative were looking to change his character after he signed with the company.
On June 21, 2024, after years of tearing up the independent scene and winning championships in promotions such as MLW, , Jacob Fatu arrived in WWE and immediately laid waste to Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Randy Orton on SmackDown.
Fatu’s intimidating presence and jaw-dropping athleticism, combined with his captivating, raw promo style separated him from the pack in WWE, with any fears that the company could have toned down “The Samoan Werewolf” being put to bed.
During an interview with Bootleg Kev, Fatu was asked about his unique energy that he brought to WWE upon debuting, with the former United States Champion recalling a conversation with Triple H, in which WWE’s Chief Content Officer reassured him that they weren’t planning to change him in any way upon debuting in the company.
Fatu said:
“I remember when Hunter told me, he was like, ‘Hey man, don’t think we’re here to change you. Nah, we brought you in for you.’
“So for me to be able to be myself and to talk, to do my thing. They ain’t telling me how to dress, they ain’t telling me this too much red, or too much blue. They’re letting me go full throttle.”
Jacob Fatu Was “Spooked” To Truly Speak Like Himself In WWE
Further discussing his authentic, true-to-himself character, Fatu was told by WWE’s writers that they couldn’t write for him due to his unique promo style and delivery.
In response Fatu asked that they simply give him some direction and he’ll handle the rest:
“They said, ‘Hey J, uce, we can’t write for you.’ Not saying they write for everybody, but just give me the direction. Let me say this, let me do this.
“Everything that I’m doing is organic and not forced. It’s just me being myself.”
While Fatu is now unafraid to wholly be his authentic self in WWE, he admitted that he was initially “spooked” to talk with his Northern California lingo, but was implored by former WWE stablemate Tama Tonga to not alter his way of speaking on TV.
Fatu continued:
“Keep it 100 I was kind of spooked to talk like me. A little spooked to bring out the lingo.
“But I remember Tama Tonga and Solo, especially Tama Tonga, when Solo was gone it was just me and Tama, he was like, ‘Hey bro you need to talk like you.’”