Rikishi said the world is starting to see what those around Jacob Fatu at Knox Pro have always known about him, and his co-host Joey TMD called Fatu “the Marshawn Lynch of professional wrestling” for his authenticity and cool factor, speaking on the Off the Top podcast.
Rikishi said Fatu’s appeal is rooted in how real he is. “There’s no filter in Jacob. Jacob tells his story with no shame. What he speaks out, it’s exactly what happened to this kid. Coming from the dirt of the dirt, rises up, went through all the dirt that he has done, paid for it, did his time, and now he’s doing something that we here at Knox Pro have always known he’s had the talent to do,” Rikishi said.
Rikishi said Fatu has started to shine not just in the ring but at personal appearances. “Wherever he does his personal appearances, the people really gravitate to Jacob,” Rikishi said.
TMD, who is close friends with Fatu and hosted him at his home during his early career, revealed details on Fatu’s dental procedure. “He had to have 11 teeth pulled out of his head, basically, and that’s what kept him out of action. He’s able to come back from that. It’s just so good to see him back in the thick of things now,” TMD said.
TMD said Fatu’s authenticity is the reason fans are drawn to him. “People gravitate to Jacob because he’s so real, and people can identify with him because he’s not an act, he’s not a gimmick. When you see him in real life backstage, he’s got the biggest smile on his face, and he literally will give you the shirt off his back. And that’s why people gravitate towards him,” TMD said.
TMD compared Fatu’s presence to NFL star Marshawn Lynch and said nobody on the WWE roster has the same cool factor. “There is nobody with what the kids call swag. There’s no cool cat like Jacob. Even when he was here on the indies, people wanted to be his boy because he’s just that cool,” TMD said.
Rikishi sent a message directly to his nephew. “Big shout out to you, nephew. Continue to do what you do, and always remember the platform that you are on right now, it is bigger than you. Make sure you understand. Make sure you lend a helping hand as always, and don’t let the game change you. You control the game,” Rikishi said.
TMD also noted that Fatu is getting his first Funko Pop figure and a new WWE Ultimate Edition action figure.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Off the Top with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
