Jacob Fatu's Injury Concerns May Impact WWE's Clash In Italy Main Event
The main event of WWE's upcoming Clash In Italy event is reportedly in jeopardy following an apparent injury to Jacob Fatu.
Fatu sustained the injury during a live event in Liverpool, where he faced Solo Sikoa in a Street Fight.
During the match, Fatu executed a backdrop on Sikoa onto a pair of chairs, followed by a springboard moonsault for the finish.
Online fan footage captured Fatu appearing to speak to referee Daphanie LaShaunn before the pinfall.
After securing the three-count, Fatu rolled onto his stomach, and LaShaunn immediately checked on him.
He remained on the mat for several moments before clutching his back.
Fatu reportedly appeared stiff as he slowly walked to the dressing room, with the referee continuing to monitor his condition.
The exact cause of Fatu's injury remains unclear, though other fan videos suggest he was moving well prior to the moonsault, indicating the injury may have occurred during the finishing sequence.
This development is significant for WWE as it could impact a major upcoming event.
According to Cory Hays of False Finish, WWE is operating "under the assumption that Jacob will be fine by Sunday." However, the company is also "currently looking into potential pivots" should Fatu not be cleared to compete.
## Potential Solutions for Clash In Italy
Should a change be necessary, several solutions have been suggested.
One possibility involves Solo Sikoa taking Fatu's place, with WWE potentially integrating the real-life situation into a storyline where Sikoa intentionally targeted Fatu to usurp his spot in Tribal Combat.
This could set up a future revenge match between Fatu and Sikoa upon Fatu's return, before he resumes his program with Roman Reigns.
Another proposed solution involves upgrading the main event by having Roman Reigns defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi.
This would introduce significant star power and implications, potentially marking Reigns' final encounter with Lesnar and the first time the OTC (Oba Femi) squares off with Femi in a main event setting.
This match could also provide Femi with valuable main event experience at a premium live event.
Lesnar and Femi were already scheduled for a WrestleMania 42 rematch, following Femi's decisive victory at Mania, which seemingly sent Lesnar into retirement.
Lesnar's subsequent return and brutalization of Femi set the stage for their planned rematch.
Adding Reigns and the title to this match could still advance the existing storyline, potentially leading to a third and final showdown between Lesnar and Femi at SummerSlam.
Key points
- Jacob Fatu reportedly suffered an injury during a WWE live event in Liverpool while wrestling Solo Sikoa in a Street Fight.
- Fan footage suggests the injury may have occurred during the finishing maneuver, a springboard moonsault, after Fatu backdropped Sikoa onto chairs.
- WWE is reportedly exploring potential alternative plans for the Clash In Italy main event if Fatu is unable to compete.