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Jacob Fatu could’ve sealed his spot in this year’s Money in the Bank ladder match had it not been for Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo. On this week’s SmackDown, The Samoan Werewolf waged war against Andrade and Carmelo Hayes in an MITB qualifier. During the closing moments, Fatu delivered a top-rope moonsault on the Mexican wrestler.
That could’ve been it right there. However, Sikoa, for some reason, got a bit too animated at ringside and started directing his former enforcer to repeat the maneuver. Mateo, too, jumped on the bandwagon, and it made the US Champion pay too much attention to the outside noise that eventually cost him the then-ongoing match. But before that, Jimmy Uso came out of nowhere to take out the Bloodline members.
In the meantime, Hayes stunned Fatu, after which the former NWA Champion rolled out of the ring. Just then, Andrade hit his finishing maneuver on SmackDown’s #1 draft pick to get the job done. Having said that, Andrade has now joined Sikoa, Penta, LA Knight, Seth Rollins, and one more undecided competitor to compete for the MITB contract on June 7.
Solo Sikoa attempts to aid Jacob Fatu, but JC Mateo begins to call the shots, which angers Jacob
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) May 31, 2025
Things get even more chaotic once Jimmy Uso gets involved!pic.twitter.com/sfUONViTYB
With Sikoa already in there, the fans were hoping for Fatu to get through as well. It could’ve created an interesting situation during the MITB ladder match had the Bloodline members come to blows at some point. The two have been agonizingly close to breaking up in the past. Fatu, after losing the aforementioned clash this week, went on a rampage and was crashing out backstage.
Jacob Fatu received a warning shot on SmackDown
The United States Championship is currently resting around Jacob Fatu’s waist. It needs to be said that he’s been solid thus far and hasn’t skipped a beat since upsetting LA Knight for the gold at WrestleMania 41. It is the first singles title for the rising star.
The Samoan Werewolf’s first successful title defense happened to be at Backlash in a catastrophic Fatal 4-Way match. The likes of Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, and Knight himself were opposing Fatu, but the 33-year-old came out of the predicament unscathed.
On this week’s SmackDown, before Fatu came out for his MITB qualifier, Priest had issued a challenge to the Anoa’i family member. First of all, The Street King asserted that he still couldn’t stand McIntyre, but the Scot had earned his respect after showing up to their steel cage match at Saturday Night’s Main Event like a true warrior and not someone who hides behind his phone.
"Damian Priest is and will forever will be El Campeón"@ArcherOfInfamy is after one thing and one thing only, the #USTitle. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/J9ji3QWMuA
— WWE (@WWE) May 31, 2025
Priest did beat the Ayr-born wrestler, but it took a toll on him. One could see a giant black spot underneath Priest’s left eye while he was cutting that promo. He finally digressed and declared his intentions to go after Fatu’s US title belt.
The ex-Judgment Day member spoke highly of The Samoan Werewolf, underscoring the hard yards he has put in to reach a certain level in his career. They eventually had a staredown on the entrance ramp as Fatu was heading out and Priest was walking to the back.
Could Jacob Fatu cost Solo Sikoa at Money in the Bank?
The Money in the Bank ladder match, especially on the men’s side, could be very interesting this year. The fans might witness a number of screw-ups. Quite possibly, the most obvious one at this point would be the lingering tension between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.
The former NXT North American Champ will try climbing that ladder and get a hold on that dangling briefcase held up high. Fatu, on the other hand, would merely be a spectator. As mentioned above, his opportunity went begging on SmackDown. The Samoan Werewolf could return the favor to his once-professed tribal chief by costing him directly on the D-Day in Los Angeles.
“For the last time, I do NOT need your help.”
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) May 31, 2025
– Jacob Fatu to Solo Sikoa#SmackDown
pic.twitter.com/rRsDvGzKrq
It would then kickstart a full-fledged rivalry between these men. Fatu has outshone Sikoa in every department ever since arriving on the scene. It’d be interesting to see if The Street Champion pulls a rabbit out of his hat against Fatu when the time comes.
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