Jacob Fatu is making one thing very clear when it comes to Drew McIntyre — this isn’t just another WWE feud, and he’s not stepping into it as an underdog.
Speaking on the Bootleg Kev podcast, Fatu broke down exactly how he views McIntyre, where he stands in comparison, and why this rivalry is personal long before it even reached the breaking point fans saw later. Fatu began by addressing McIntyre’s reputation and legacy, giving him credit for everything he’s accomplished while immediately shifting the focus to the present — where he believes he belongs at the same level.
“Bro, I’m one of the coldest cats out here. I’m one of the coldest cats, man. Don’t get it twisted. Okay, we could say Jacob had a hard life, I made changes — nah, this ain’t that. Drop all that. I’m talking about right now. Drew’s accomplished a whole lot. I’m not taking nothing away from Drew, bro. Drew is one of the baddest cats on the planet.”
After establishing that respect, Fatu made it clear he doesn’t see himself as someone trying to catch up — he sees himself as already there, ready to stand toe-to-toe with one of WWE’s top names.
“I haven’t been in WWE that long, but don’t get it twisted — I’m one of the bad cats. I’m one of the dopest, bro. I’m one of the hardest cats up in there for sure. I will slap the s*** out of you and smile and give you a hug right after.”
From there, the conversation shifted into something deeper, with Fatu explaining that his mindset isn’t rooted in competition alone — it’s driven by responsibility, pressure, and real-life stakes outside the ring. He then shut down the idea that championships or traditional wrestling goals are what’s fueling him right now, making it clear his priorities are far more grounded.
“But what I’m trying to say is, I’m a man, bro. I got my kids. There’s no, ‘Oh, good luck,’ or ‘Take your best shot, try again.’ No, man, we’re not doing that. I’m a man. Drew’s a man. I don’t need a title, bro. I’m not wrestling for a title. I didn’t come here for that. I came here to make money, to take care of my family.”
As the interview continued, Fatu leaned into the emotional and territorial pride behind his identity, suggesting that stepping to him means stepping into something much bigger than just one opponent.
“When you bring up Jacob Fatu, bro, you’re going to feel this. You’re going to feel the whole Sacramento. You’re going to feel the whole NorCal. You’re going to feel this. This isn’t just some life-changing story — somebody’s going to lose, bro. Let’s keep it 100. I’m looking dead in the camera — I’m not losing… it is what it is. It’s on sight. We’re going to take it day by day. Y’all have been seeing it — day in, day out, week by week.””
But the most telling moment came when Fatu addressed just how serious the situation could get behind the scenes, admitting he knows there are real consequences if things go too far — and that only adds to the pressure he’s carrying.
“Now you’re bringing it up, and you’re bringing it up for a good reason because I’ve been a little hot. Even the company knows I’ll get released from this if it goes too far. Because if we really want to take it there, we’re talking about taking food off my family’s table. And in this company, you’ve seen it before — one loss. I just got here. There’s no way in hell I’m going down like that.”
He followed that up by doubling down on his mindset, making it clear that no matter what happens next, he’s locked in and ready for whatever comes.
“But yeah, to tap back in, it is what it is. It’s on sight. We’re going to take it day by day. Y’all have been seeing it — day in, day out, week by week.”
Those comments hit even harder after what followed on WWE SmackDown, where Fatu and McIntyre’s rivalry erupted into a chaotic fight that spilled outside the arena and ended in a dangerous fall off a guardrail. Knowing this was Fatu’s mindset before things escalated paints a much clearer picture — this wasn’t a reaction, it was already brewing.
Do you think Jacob Fatu is justified in approaching this rivalry the way he is, or is this already crossing into dangerous territory for both men? Drop your thoughts below and leave your feedback.