Rikishi has publicly criticized WWE‘s decision to place Jacob Fatu in the opening hour of WrestleMania 42’s ESPN2 simulcast — arguing that the Samoan Werewolf has already surpassed opener status and should have been positioned as a main event act on the biggest show of the year. Speaking on his Off the Top podcast, Rikishi made his feelings clear on the booking decision.
“Jacob has surpassed opening up shows. Jacob is not that. Jacob is a main event. That’s what Jacob is. And I feel that, through the years, of watching the fans just gravitate towards Jacob. You try to change Jacob; he’s one of those talents that people just love. So, at the end of the day, I feel like whoever booked that, the creative booking team that decided to put him in that position, I felt like they dropped the ball on that. It’s just my humble opinion,” Rikishi said.
Jacob Fatu Defeated Drew McIntyre in the WrestleMania 42 ESPN2 Opening Hour Before Challenging Roman Reigns
Fatu faced Drew McIntyre in an Unsanctioned Match during the opening hour of WrestleMania 42 Night One on ESPN2 before transitioning into his current program with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. The two signed their contract for a title match at Backlash on the May 4 Raw, with Fatu assaulting Reigns after being provoked by his verbal jabs — marking the second consecutive time Fatu has physically dominated the champion heading into their May 9 showdown in Tampa.
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