The main event of Clash In Italy is reportedly in jeopardy after Jacob Fatu suffered an injury during a WWE live event in Liverpool, according to several outlets.
Fatu wrestled Solo Sikoa in a Street Fight on Thursday. In the closing moments, Fatu backdropped Sikoa onto a pair of chairs set up in the ring. Fatu then followed up with a springboard moonsault for the finish.
Fan footage online appeared to show Fatu say something to referee Daphanie LaShaunn before pinning Sikoa. After the three-count,
Fatu rolled onto his stomach as LaShaunn immediately checked on him. He lay there for several moments before he turned to his side and clutched his back.
Fatu appeared stiff as he walked slowly upright to the dressing room, as LaShaunn continued checking on him.
It’s unclear what caused Fatu’s apparent injury. Other fan videos showed Fatu seemingly moving well before he hit the moonsault, which may suggest it happened during the finish.
Possible Solutions
In the Rumor Roundup, we shared word from Cory Hays of False Finish, who said WWE is “under the assumption that Jacob will be fine by Sunday. In the case that Fatu is not fine, WWE is currently looking into potential pivots.”
If WWE must pivot, two fixes come to my mind.
The first is for Sikoa to take Fatu’s place, with WWE weaving reality to tell the story that Sikoa intentionally targeted Fatu in hopes of taking his spot in Tribal Combat. When Fatu returns, a quick win over Sikoa on Raw or SmackDown could serve as his revenge before resuming his program with Reigns.
Reigns and Sikoa met before in Tribal Combat at Raw’s Netflix debut in January 2025 in what was a solid encounter. But Sikoa’s character is far from a headliner and title threat these days, and may not satisfy fans disappointed by a possible but necessary change.
Drawing from my days in retail, the next solution is to upgrade the customer to the next best model when an advertised product isn’t available. Here, that means Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi.
Immediately, the main event is filled with star power and significant implications, as this would likely be Reigns’ final encounter with Lesnar as well as the OTC’s first time squaring off with Femi. The match also gives Femi main event experience at a premium live event.
As it is, Femi and Lesnar were to meet in a WrestleMania 42 rematch. At Mania, Femi beat Lesnar decisively, seemingly sending Lesnar into retirement. Lesnar ultimately returned and brutalized Femi to force this match. The prevailing thought among “smart fans” is that this will set up a third and final showdown, likely at SummerSlam in Lesnar’s old home state of Minnesota.
Adding Reigns to their match and making it for the title could still advance that storyline if that’s WWE’s plan.
Following WWE’s recipe for Triple Threats, Femi takes out Lesnar, only to get tossed aside by Reigns, who then scores a quick pin on Lesnar. Irate, Lesnar goes off on Femi in the post-match for costing him the title. That sets up the third act, all while giving fans the best match possible under the circumstances.
