Tama Tonga’s social media habits have come with a costly consequence. According to Fightful Select, WWE issued Tonga a “significant fine” in the five-figure range after he posted a 360-degree shot on social media showing the stage, arena, and ring ahead of the March 20 episode of SmackDown — a video that made clear rehearsals were underway. WWE considers filming during rehearsals a violation of an unwritten company rule.
The fine drew immediate backlash online, with fans pointing to the irony of WWE penalizing a talent for pulling back the curtain when the company itself has aired two seasons of WWE: Unreal on Netflix — a series built entirely around behind-the-scenes access.
Tonga’s SmackDown Fine Follows Earlier Royal Rumble Spoiler Incident
This isn’t the first time Tonga’s social media presence has created problems in 2026. Earlier this year, he accidentally spoiled a Royal Rumble surprise entrant when he posted a clip of himself at a shisha bar — with a face-paintless Mr. Iguana visible in the background. Tonga wrestled on the March 20 SmackDown, the same night the fine was issued, as he and Jeff Cobb lost the WWE Tag Team Championships to Damian Priest and R-Truth.
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