Why do you think Jacob Fatu isn't in WWE?

[SirLucas]

I saw him put on a hell of match last night in MLW.  He's been around for a while. It got me thinking, why do you think he's not in WWE at this point?  Let's face it, he's got BIG CONNECTIONS.  What do you think is holding him back from going to WWE? 

[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

Hasn't he no-shown multiple events, including one for charity?

He's part of wrestling royalty, and only MLW will touch him. That lets you know there's some shit.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

Plenty of members of the Anoa'i haven't made it to WWE as they're not going to just hand out contracts and since he has an arrest for robbery on his record - they may not be interested.

[xxshoyuweeniexx]

I did hear there has been interest in him, even with all the kinda sketchy shit, but he signed an MLW contract and Court is an asshole and those contracts suck ass and are harder than bricks to get out of.

[SirLucas]

It looks like he was arrested for armed robbery at 18. MVP was also arrested for armed robbery at an early ago, served time, and ended up working for the WWE.

[EZ: Brainy Bae]

I'd be shocked if he isn't in WWE in the next 5 years. They're not hurting for prospects though.

[A Platypus Rave]

Nov 19, 2023 15:25:38 GMT -5 xxshoyuweeniexx said:

I did hear there has been interest in him, even with all the kinda sketchy shit, but he signed an MLW contract and Court is an asshole and those contracts suck ass and are harder than bricks to get out of.

especially since Court is still trying to sue the WWE.

[dangerousdanpotato]

Nov 19, 2023 15:41:46 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Nov 19, 2023 15:25:38 GMT -5 xxshoyuweeniexx said:

I did hear there has been interest in him, even with all the kinda sketchy shit, but he signed an MLW contract and Court is an asshole and those contracts suck ass and are harder than bricks to get out of.

especially since Court is still trying to sue the WWE.

I think this is the real reason. WWE aren't going to give credence to any of MLW's claims by going anywhere near any of their contracted talent.

[polarbearpete]

Nov 19, 2023 15:27:55 GMT -5 SirLucas said:

It looks like he was arrested for armed robbery at 18. MVP was also arrested for armed robbery at an early ago, served time, and ended up working for the WWE.

Meltzer has alluded to it being because of his past. Meltzer wrote this in the Observer this week: “ WWE only pushed Afa & Sika being there and they said that they wouldn’t use Jacob for his legal issues. Jacob himself is a super talent who ability wise should be a major league star.”

[Cyno]

It is weird they'd have a problem with Jacob's criminal past when a good chunk of the roster from beloved veterans to newer folks have had some legal problems. Hell, Booker T and MVP did similar if not worse crimes and they got chances. There's gotta be more to it than just that.

[polarbearpete]

Nov 20, 2023 11:23:49 GMT -5 Cyno said:

It is weird they'd have a problem with Jacob's criminal past when a good chunk of the roster from beloved veterans to newer folks have had some legal problems. Hell, Booker T and MVP did similar if not worse crimes and they got chances. There's gotta be more to it than just that.

Could be that Booker and MVP are more the exception rather than the rule. I don’t know many others that are convicted felons that have been hired. I also assume there’s some flakiness/personality type issues with him too that maybe they have knowledge of from his family members. He’s reportedly no showed bookings before and I believe was accused of scamming some charity earlier this year.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

I originally thought it was his height but apparently he isn't that short for a wrestler

And with a conviction like that he may as well just join the damn Bloodline

So who knows. I think the Court suing thing might be it

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

Nov 20, 2023 11:23:49 GMT -5 Cyno said:

It is weird they'd have a problem with Jacob's criminal past when a good chunk of the roster from beloved veterans to newer folks have had some legal problems. Hell, Booker T and MVP did similar if not worse crimes and they got chances. There's gotta be more to it than just that.

Their 2023 decision making could also be different than their early 2000s decision making. It seems like there have been a number of cases like Colby Corino who end up not coming in due to issues that pop up during background checks. I'm sure they're willing to look away in certain circumstances but this just might not be one of those cases. 

[06vwgti]

Nov 20, 2023 12:06:23 GMT -5 "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik said:

Nov 20, 2023 11:23:49 GMT -5 Cyno said:

It is weird they'd have a problem with Jacob's criminal past when a good chunk of the roster from beloved veterans to newer folks have had some legal problems. Hell, Booker T and MVP did similar if not worse crimes and they got chances. There's gotta be more to it than just that.

Their 2023 decision making could also be different than their early 2000s decision making. It seems like there have been a number of cases like Colby Corino who end up not coming in due to issues that pop up during background checks. I'm sure they're willing to look away in certain circumstances but this just might not be one of those cases. 

Booker in the early 2000s was already a star in WCW with known value from Harlem heat and I don't think Booker had issues in WCW with regards to his behavior. Does feel like the environment was different back then. Signing known WCW stars after the purchase, etc.

There must be other stuff in the background check they do like possibly talking to his relatives or something that is causing the hang up. The mentioned no shows and stuff could be playing a factor...if the crime was years ago.

[Cyno]

The conviction is from when he was 18. Though if he was no-showing dates, including a charity thing, that would do it.

[yokohamacpfc]

Maybe they are waiting until Jey is established as his own guy and has a character that is a bit more than Anoa'i family member before they bring him in to avoid Anoa'i overkill.

[asuka007]

He just had a really fun match with Masha Slamovich at the Wrestling Revolver show over the weekend BTW.

[MolotovMocktail]

Nov 20, 2023 12:01:40 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

Nov 20, 2023 11:23:49 GMT -5 Cyno said:

It is weird they'd have a problem with Jacob's criminal past when a good chunk of the roster from beloved veterans to newer folks have had some legal problems. Hell, Booker T and MVP did similar if not worse crimes and they got chances. There's gotta be more to it than just that.

Could be that Booker and MVP are more the exception rather than the rule. I don’t know many others that are convicted felons that have been hired. I also assume there’s some flakiness/personality type issues with him too that maybe they have knowledge of from his family members. He’s reportedly no showed bookings before and I believe was accused of scamming some charity earlier this year.

They brought back Ken Patera after the McDonald’s incident. And didn’t R-Truth also have a record? They alluded to it during his debut vignettes.

[Push R Truth]

It's probably unfair to assume this... but when somebody with that level of name and talent isn't in the WWE, AEW, or making BANK in Japan: I just assume they are a mess and not worth the trouble.

[cassonova]

My assumption is that it is due to a combination of things. Notably his baggage (his arrest and some of the rumours of no showing events), going to the Shane Douglas School of Promos, and their unwillingness to deal with MLW talent. The combination of which may make him a bigger headache than what he's worth.