Jacob Fatu's WWE Return Timeline Reportedly Revealed After Non-Wrestling Injury

Former United States champion Jacob Fatu reportedly may have to miss a significant amount of time due to an injury.

According to BodySlam.net (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), Fatu is dealing with a "non-wrestling-related injury," and sources indicated it could keep him on the shelf "well into 2026."

After losing a U.S. title steel cage match to his cousin, Solo Sikoa, at SummerSlam in August, Fatu helped Sami Zayn beat Solo for the title later in the month, but he was not seen on WWE programming for several weeks after.

However, he resurfaced on the Sept. 26 episode of SmackDown when he interrupted Drew McIntyre and got the better of Drew in a brawl.

Two weeks later on SmackDown, McIntyre got some revenge by attacking Fatu backstage, prompting SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis to book a match between them for this week's SmackDown.

It sounds as though that match won't be able to happen, and it remains to be seen how or if WWE will address it on Friday's show.

Fatu, who is a member of the famous Anoa'i wrestling family, made his WWE debut in June 2024, joining the Sikoa-led version of The Bloodline.

While Fatu was loyal to Solo for months, he eventually grew tired of Sikoa's leadership and turned on him at Money in the Bank in June 2025, costing Solo the Money in the Bank contract in the process.

Fatu was the U.S. champion at the time after beating LA Knight for the title at WrestleMania 41, and The Samoan Werewolf dropped the championship to Sikoa at Night of Champions in June thanks to interference from Tonga Loa and Talla Tonga.

It seemed as though Fatu had finally moved away from the storyline with Sikoa, as he not only targeted McIntyre, but also had a brief backstage segment last week with WWE champion Cody Rhodes, during which he suggested he would be coming for the title.

Those plans may now be on hold, though, and if the timeline provided by BodySlam.net is accurate, it is fair to wonder if Fatu will be cleared to compete at Royal Rumble in January or WrestleMania 42 in April.