The Daniel Cormier Show - Jacob Fatu on CRAZY WIN vs. Drew McIntyre at WRESTLEMANIA 42, becoming WWE STAR

WrestleMania weekend is always a high for me, and last night had me fired up. We met backstage here a year ago when I became a full‑on fan, and now I want to ask, when success finally hits like this, what do you think about from those rough Bay Area days we talked about?

First off, thanks for having me, big bro; those hard seasons made me, and I’m grateful it took a dozen years, seven kids, and a lot of growing before I was truly ready. I’m living the dream now, no caveats, and I’m thankful to everyone who helped me get here.

When life speeds up after you win, it’s easy to get swept away; how are you staying grounded while you’re living it?

My wife checks me when the head gets big, and I remember praying through the days when an early WWE tryout fell through because of mistakes I made at eighteen. If anyone deserves this ride it’s my wife and kids, and I never forget the struggle or the way wrestling brings all kinds of people together.

That walk out hits like a rocket on your back; how did it feel stepping out in front of that massive crowd last night?

It all hit right before the curtain when Roman told me to breathe and enjoy it, and I thought about every hard mile to get here. Two years in and two and oh at WrestleMania is wild, I was nervous, and Drew pushed me to bring out the dog—he even clocked me with a phone.

My kids and I love how physical you are; when did you lock in that style?

The indie grind shaped it, and while I honor our family’s playbook I wanted my own twist, inspired by high‑flyers like Rey and Jeff. When I climb for that moonsault I’m just praying I stick it, and one night I hit three in a row on LA Knight before taking the belt in Vegas the next week.

Your family’s moves are iconic; how do you all keep that look fresh and even hotter today?

I came in after Solo, the Usos, and Roman, so I had to be more than ‘the cousin,’ and I salute my uncle Umaga for innovating the pop‑up Samoan drop. We share roots but add our own flavor—mine might be the best, respectfully—and this business saved our family.

Facing family can stir you up; how do you keep it together staring across at your cousins, even Roman?

In that big family match I teared up seeing my cousins in the ring and my brothers at my side, and Roman calmed me down like he always does. I’m blessed to have their guidance here, and I’m still enough of a fan to ask Roman for a photo.

He’s special—he introduces himself as Joe and once sent a video to my son—little things like that matter more than any fame.

I always stop for kids because of my seven at home, and I hope others would do the same for mine—those moments last.

Before we wrap, what are you most excited to watch tonight besides the main event?

I’m hyped for Jade versus Rhea and the ladder match with friends from the indies and my luchador brothers—I joke I’m Uso lucha—and I want to see the Beast throw down. And man, seeing us open the first hour on ESPN had me emotional all over again.

It still blows my mind to be on ESPN and the big networks after growing up with just a few channels—pure gratitude.

I celebrated quiet with an In‑N‑Out, saw my interview pop on ESPN, and I’m glad people got to see the husband and dad side of me because I’m blessed to be here.

You’re the man—thanks for rolling through, and night two is going to be nuts. I’ll be out there yelling with a beer even though I shoot The Ultimate Fighter tomorrow, and they might smell it, but nobody’s messing with my WrestleMania.