The MFTs have seemingly cooled off over the past year, but Tama Tonga looked poised for a revitalized push. Tama Tonga has been seen in backstage segments with Shinsuke Nakamura over the past few months. Shinsuke Nakamura and Tama Tonga have blurred lines, referencing their past in New Japan Pro Wrestling. While WWE is pulling back the curtain on the two, the company didn’t appreciate just how far the former Tag Team Champion pulled things back on social media. Multiple reports indicate that Tama Tonga received a heavy fine from WWE for posting footage of a rehearsal on social media.
Tama Tonga Receives Fine for Posting Rehearsal Videos
Before each show, WWE runs rehearsals in the ring for each match, as well as many entrances. While WWE Unreal and other cameras tend to capture this footage for future releases, there is a strict “no social media posts” policy for rehearsal footage.
On the day of March 13, 2026, SmackDown tapings, Tama Tonga broke that cardinal rule. Tama Tonga posted a now-deleted story that showed doors were set to open in Phoenix for SmackDown.
In the post, you could see various WWE Superstars chatting, going over segments, or thinking about their night ahead. Some of the people in the video included Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, and Solo Sikoa.
This was the video that Tama Tonga postedpic.twitter.com/zXG0Cq0SsP https://t.co/UBfQDYyoQj
— Peps🪭 (@Peps_Wrestling) March 20, 2026
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Tama Tonga took down the content within 24 hours. However, the damage was done. As a result, Tama Tonga receives a fine that’s being described as “five figures.” In addition, many are wondering if Tama Tonga’s push will be derailed due to this snafu.
Did WWE Punish Tama Tonga for Social Media Post?
Just seven days after Tama Tonga received a fine for posting rehearsals, The MFTs dropped the Tag Team Titles to Damien Priest and R-Truth. This loss had many fans wondering if Tama Tonga was being punished for breaking the rules.
While there may be some truth to that, many say the Title change was intended all along. After all, there was a Gauntlet Match to determine #1 Contenders for the Tag Team Titles on the same day that Tama Tonga posted the video.
Storyline Progression with Wyatt Sicks
It’s believed that losing the Tag Team Titles was figured into the ongoing storyline between The Wyatt Sicks and Solo Sikoa’s MFTs. The two teams have been trading Championships and lanterns. So, the Title loss to a different Team was intended to add another element to the two factions’ rivalries while taking the Championships out of the equation.
The tentative WrestleMania 42 card is still being hammered out. However, a Wyatt Sicks vs. MFTs multi-man showdown is expected to be added to the lineup.
JC Mateo Loses the Titles
While The MFTs lost the Titles, it wasn’t Tama Tonga taking the L. R-Truth dropped JC Mateo with an Attitude Adjustment to win the Championships.
A former Olympic athlete, Jeff Cobb has had trouble finding his footing in WWE as JC Mateo. Current trajectory has him costing until a post-Mania split of The MFTs. One of the ideas being kicked around is that Solo Sikoa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga could create their own partnership, leaving Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa on the outs. This could set up a string of post-WrestleMania matches leading into Backlash and Clash In Italy.
Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa Rivalry In the Works?
While there are rumors that Tama Tonga is in the WWE doghouse, this doesn’t appear to be the case. Tama Tonga was featured in another backstage segment with Shinsuke Nakamura, a week after posting the social media video.
The Tongan also informed Solo Sikoa that the former Bloodline member was acting like Roman Reigns. These storyline progressions suggest that, despite the fine, WWE still has plans for Tama Tonga.