Below are a couple of top WWE news stories of the day, involving SmackDown and Jacob Fatu.
• WWE is gearing up for a packed episode of SmackDown tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. The event will feature several high-stakes matches and segments.
Below is the card:
– United States Champion Logan Paul vs. LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar in a Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
– Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae in a Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
– Naomi vs. Blair Davenport vs. Indi Hartwell in a Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
– Bloodline Acknowledgement Ceremony
According to WrestleTix, WWE has opted for a smaller stage setup due to high ticket demand. The show has sold 16,646 tickets, with 1,014 still available, including 766 tickets sold in the past week alone.
WATCH: Nikki Bella Exposes Her Buns (Part 2):
• Former MLW Heavyweight Champion Jacob Fatu, who signed with WWE earlier this year, made his debut on the June 21st episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Fans were surprised that WWE retained his real name, Jacob Fatu, as the company often changes wrestlers’ names for trademark purposes.
Fatu’s debut was marked by his brutal attacks on Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, showcasing his intent to cause chaos.
Initially, WWE considered renaming him “Caesar Sikoa,” but ultimately decided against it. The Wrestling Observer noted this unusual move, stating, “Caesar Sikoa was the first idea for Fatu’s name, but they made the call to keep his Jacob Fatu name, which is surprising since it’s his real name.”
This decision reflects a shift in WWE’s current regime, which appears less inclined to rename established wrestlers compared to Vince McMahon’s era. While McMahon preferred changing names to ensure full ownership, the new approach allows established names to retain their identities while newcomers receive stage names.
Also Read: Triple H Uses 2 Words To Describe Jacob Fatu