Solo Sikoa

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Solo Sikoa
Sikoa in October 2023
Birth nameJoseph Yokozuna Fatu
Born (1993-03-18) March 18, 1993 (age 31)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Alma materDickinson State University
Children2
Parent(s)Rikishi (father)
RelativesJey Uso (brother)
Jimmy Uso (brother)
Umaga (uncle)
The Tonga Kid (uncle)
Yokozuna (uncle)
Roman Reigns (cousin)
FamilyAnoaʻi
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Sefa Fatu[1]
Solo Sikoa
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1]
Billed weight249 lb (113 kg)[1]
Billed fromLas Vegas, Nevada
Trained byRikishi
WWE Performance Center[1]
DebutApril 29, 2018

Joseph Yokozuna Fatu[2] (born March 18, 1993) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Solo Sikoa. He is a member of The Bloodline and a former one-time NXT North American Champion. Fatu is a member of the Anoaʻi family of Samoan wrestlers.

Early life[edit]

Fatu was born into the Anoaʻi family of Samoan wrestlers, which includes his father, Rikishi a WWE Hall of Famer, his older brothers Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso, his cousin Roman Reigns, and many others including Umaga, Yokozuna and the Wild Samoans.[2] He is named after his cousin’s in-ring name – Yokozuna.[3] He played American football at American River College and Dickinson State University.[4][5]

Professional wrestling career[edit]

Independent circuit (2018–2021)[edit]

On April 29, 2018, Fatu made his in-ring debut under the ring name Sefa Fatu, and regularly teamed up with his cousins Jacob Fatu and Journey Fatu.[6] On January 25, 2019, Fatu would win the FSW Nevada State Championship, holding the belt for 149 days until losing to Hammerstone in June.[7] In August 2019, Fatu defeated Watson to win the Arizona Wrestling Federation (AWF) Heavyweight Title, and held the belt for 418 days until losing it in January 2020.[8]

WWE[edit]

NXT (2021–2022)[edit]

On August 30, 2021, it was announced Fatu signed a contract with WWE.[9] He was assigned to their development brand NXT, making his debut on October 26 at Halloween Havoc as Solo Sikoa, interrupting a segment between the co-hosts Grayson Waller and L.A. Knight and subsequently attacked Waller.[10] Sikoa would make his in-ring debut on the November 2 episode of NXT by defeating Jeet Rama in the latter's last match. After winning a few matches on NXT and 205 Live, Sikoa entered into a feud with Boa after his alter-ego attacked and choked him backstage on the December 28 episode of NXT.[11] On the January 11, 2022 episode of NXT, Boa and Sikoa fought to a double countout.[12] This led to a No Disqualification Falls Count Anywhere match on the January 25 episode of NXT,[13] which Sikoa won.[14]

Sikoa competed in a five-way ladder match for the NXT North American Championship in a ladder match at Stand & Deliver, which Cameron Grimes won.[15] Sikoa was defeated twice by Grimes for the title.[16] On the August 2 episode of NXT, Sikoa defeated Von Wagner in a falls count anywhere match after weeks of brawling,[17] though he suffered a knee injury in the process.[18]

The Bloodline (2022–present)[edit]

See also: The Bloodline
Sikoa in 2023

At Clash at the Castle on September 3, 2022, Sikoa returned from injury and interfered in the main event match between his cousin Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre, helping Reigns to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and aligning himself with The Bloodline, turning heel in the process.[19] He made his main roster in-ring debut on the September 9 episode of SmackDown, losing to McIntyre by disqualification after Karrion Kross attacked McIntyre from behind.[20] On the September 13 episode of NXT 2.0, Sikoa made a surprise appearance and defeated Carmelo Hayes to win the NXT North American Championship.[21] He defended the title three nights later at SmackDown against Madcap Moss,[22] but was forced to vacate the title on the September 20 episode of NXT, as he was not sanctioned to compete in the match.[23] At Survivor Series WarGames on November 26, Sikoa, along with The Bloodline, defeated The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland and Butch), McIntyre and Kevin Owens in a WarGames match.[24]

On the March 27, 2023 episode of Raw, Sikoa suffered his first pinfall loss on the main roster against Cody Rhodes.[25] At Wrestlemania 39 Night 2, Sikoa assisted Reigns to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Rhodes.[26] At Night of Champions, Sikoa and Reigns unsuccessfully challenged Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. During the match, The Usos interfered and accidentally attacked Sikoa while aiming for Zayn. The subsequent sequence of events culminated in Jimmy Uso attacking Reigns, and The Usos walking away from The Bloodline.[27] On the June 2 episode of SmackDown, during Reigns' 1,000 days as Universal Champion celebration, Sikoa turned on Jimmy and excommunicated him from The Bloodline on Reigns' order for his brother's actions at Night of Champions.[28] On the June 16 episode of SmackDown, Sikoa's other brother, Jey, turned on Reigns and Sikoa to side with Jimmy.[29] At Money in the Bank, Reigns and Sikoa lost to The Usos in a "Bloodline Civil War" tag team match with Jey pinning Reigns, giving Reigns his first direct pinfall loss since December 2019 at TLC: Table, Ladders & Chairs.[30][31][32] During the summer, the Bloodline would enter a feud with a returning John Cena and LA Knight, where at Fastlane, Sikoa and Jimmy (who had rejoined the stable) lost to them in a tag team match. Sikoa would challenge Cena to a match at Crown Jewel, defeating him.

On April 7 at WrestleMania XL Night 2, Sikoa attempted to assist Reigns against Rhodes again, only to be thwarted by a returning John Cena, who delivered an AA to Sikoa through the announce table. On the April 12, 2024 episode of SmackDown, Sikoa introduced Tama Tonga, the son of Haku, into the Bloodline and kicked out Jimmy.

Personal life[edit]

Fatu is married and has two children with his wife.[33]

Other media[edit]

Fatu made his acting debut in Karyn Kusama's 2018 crime drama film, Destroyer, playing the role of Taz.[34]

Fatu, as Solo Sikoa, is a playable character in the video game WWE 2K23, which marked his first debut in any WWE 2K game.[35] He is also a playable character in the video game WWE 2K24.

Filmography[edit]

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Destroyer Taz

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » Solo Sikoa". CAGEMATCH.
  2. ^ a b Barrasso, Justin (March 16, 2023). "The Bloodline Is More Than a Story Line for WWE's Solo Sikoa". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Middleton, Marc (January 1, 2023). "Solo Sikoa Reveals WWE Hall of Famer He Got His Middle Name From". Wrestling Headlines. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  4. ^ "Joseph Fatu". American River College. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  5. ^ "Sefa Fatu's DSU Bluehawks profile". Dickinson State University. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Solo Sikoa (p. 2)". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "FSW Nevada State Championship". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "AWF Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Second-generation hopefuls among new WWE Performance Center recruits". WWE. August 30, 2021. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  10. ^ Moore, John (October 26, 2021). "10/26 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Halloween Havoc with Tommaso Ciampa vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Title, plus Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal stipulations for Raquel Gonzalez vs. Mandy Rose for the NXT Women's Title, and MSK vs. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel for the NXT Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  11. ^ Moore, John (December 28, 2021). "12/28 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Raquel Gonzalez and Cora Jade vs. Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray for spots in the Triple Threat for the NXT Women's Championship, Solo Sikoa vs. Santos Escobar, Grayson Waller vs. Odyssey Jones, Harland vs. Andre Chase, Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  12. ^ Moore, John (January 11, 2022). "1/11 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of AJ Styles vs. Grayson Waller, Santos Escobar vs. Xyon Quinn, Pete Dunne vs. Tony D'Angelo in a Crowbar on a Pole match, Solo Sikoa vs. Boa, Kacy Catanzaro, Kayden Carter, and Amari Miller vs. Indi Hartwell, Portia Pirotta, and Wendy Choo". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  13. ^ Bryant, Nathan (January 19, 2022). "Solo Sikoa and Boa collide in No Disqualification, Falls Count Anywhere Match". WWE. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  14. ^ "WWE NXT results: Jan. 25, 2022". WWE. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  15. ^ Zak, Brad (April 2, 2022). "Cameron Grimes def. Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, Solo Sikoa and Santos Escobar to win the NXT North American Title". WWE. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  16. ^ Moore, John (May 3, 2022). "5/3 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Spring Breakin' with Bron Breakker vs. Joe Gacy for the NXT Title, Cameron Grimes vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Solo Sikoa for the NXT North American Title, The Viking Raiders vs. The Creeds, Cora Jade and Nikkita Lyons vs. Natalya and Lash Legend, Nathan Frazer vs. Grayson Waller, Tony D'Angelo and Santos Escobar meeting". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  17. ^ Moore, John (July 12, 2022). "7/12 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Mandy Rose vs. Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Championship, Apollo Crews vs. Giovanni Vinci, Solo Sikoa vs. Von Wagner". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  18. ^ Rose, Bryan (August 9, 2022). "NXT's Solo Sikoa out of action with sprained PCL". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  19. ^ Miller, Gregory (September 3, 2022). "Roman Reigns def. Drew McIntyre to retain Undisputed WWE Universal Championship". WWE. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  20. ^ Powell, Jason (September 9, 2022). "9/9 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Ronda Rousey vs. Sonya Deville vs. Xia Li vs. Natalya vs. Lacey Evans in a five-way elimination match for a shot at the Smackdown Women's Championship, Braun Strowman's appearance, Street Profits and Hit Row vs. Los Lotharios, Mace, and Mansoor". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  21. ^ Rose, Bryan (September 13, 2022). "Solo Sikoa wins North American title on WWE NXT". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Powell, Jason (September 16, 2022). "9/16 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of New Day vs. Hit Row vs. Ridge Holland and Butch vs. Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Titles, Logan Paul's appearance, Raquel Rodriguez vs. Bayley, Sami Zayn vs. Ricochet". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  23. ^ Rose, Bryan (September 20, 2022). "North American title vacated, new champion to be decided at NXT Halloween Havoc". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  24. ^ "Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn def. Drew McIntyre, Kevin Owens, Sheamus, Ridge Holland and Butch". WWE. November 26, 2022. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  25. ^ "Cody Rhodes bests Solo Sikoa en route to his epic WrestleMania showdown against Roman Reigns". WWE. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  26. ^ Powell, Jason (April 2, 2023). "WrestleMania 39 results: Powell's live review of night two with Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Asuka for the Raw Women's Title, Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus for the Intercontinental Title, Edge vs. Finn Balor in Hell in a Cell, Brock Lesnar vs. Omos". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  27. ^ Powell, Jason (May 27, 2023). "WWE Night of Champions results: Powell's live review of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Asuka for the Raw Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  28. ^ Barnett, Jake (June 2, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (6/2): Barnett's review of Roman Reigns' celebration of 1,000 days as WWE Universal Champion, LA Knight vs. Montez Ford and Zelina Vega vs. Lacey Evans in Money in the Bank qualifying matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  29. ^ Barnett, Jake (June 16, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (6/16): Barnett's review of Roman Reigns' return and Jey Uso's decision, Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits vs. The OC vs. Sheamus and Butch vs. Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro in a gauntlet for a tag title shot, Charlotte Flair on The Grayson Waller Effect, Iyo Sky vs. Zelina Vega". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  30. ^ "Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa vs. The Usos". wwe.com. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  31. ^ Brookehouse, Brent (July 1, 2023). "2023 WWE Money in the Bank results, recap, grades: Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa fall to The Usos in Civil War". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  32. ^ Mendhe, Abhilash (July 2, 2023). "Paul Heyman finally breaks silence after Roman Reigns gets pinned for the first time in 1294 days". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  33. ^ Lee, Joseph (March 1, 2023). "Solo Sikoa Gets Married, Several WWE Stars Attend Wedding". 411Mania. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  34. ^ "Why did Solo Sikoa use Samoan spike? WWE superstar reveals reason". The Economic Times. December 27, 2022. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023. Solo Sikoa made his film debut with the film Destroyer in 2018.
  35. ^ Wilson, Ben (March 15, 2023). "WWE 2K23 roster reveal with every confirmed wrestler". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  36. ^ "Pro Wrestling 2022 awards: The best male and female wrestler, feud, faction, promo and more". ESPN. December 28, 2022. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  37. ^ ESPN.com (December 26, 2023). "Pro Wrestling 2023 awards: The best male and female wrestler, feud, faction, promo and more". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  38. ^ Staszewski, Joseph (December 27, 2022). "The Post's 2022 pro wrestling awards". New York Post. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  39. ^ Staszewski, Joseph (December 26, 2023). "The Post's 2023 pro wrestling awards". New York Post. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  40. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (September 14, 2022). "Roman Reigns Tops 2022 PWI 500, Second Time At Number One". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  41. ^ Meltzer, Dave. "February 26, 2024 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Observer Awards issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  42. ^ "NXT North American Championship". WWE. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.

External links[edit]

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