Andrew Ravens
Zilla Fatu has made it clear he is not seeking a jump to AEW if it costs him a chance at WWE.
Speaking on the Bootleg Kev podcast, the rising independent wrestler said his heart is with WWE rather than AEW, citing both family loyalty and a personal mission to honor the legacy of his late father, Umaga.
The conversation began with host Kev asking about Fatu’s match against MJF for the AEW World Championship at a House of Glory show in February. Fatu was measured in how he framed the experience, treating the match like any other while acknowledging MJF’s standing in wrestling.
“That’s the beauty of these independent companies like House of Glory and Fourth Row, we’re able to do stuff like this, 100%,” Fatu said. “I treat this like every other fight, right? Obviously, MJF is a superstar in his own little world, but I treat it like every other match.” When asked if the match was put together in advance, Fatu said the work was done “everything on the fly.”
When Kev then asked whether Fatu would entertain offers from AEW, the answer was immediate. “No, I think my heart is with the ‘E’ right now,” Fatu said.
Kev noted that WWE is also where much of his family works, including Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Jacob Fatu. Zilla acknowledged the dynamic directly. “Yeah, yeah, 100%. So, I’m not going to break that cycle. I respect it. And then not only that, I got unfinished business as far as my dad’s legacy to fulfill.”
Umaga, who passed away in 2009, was one of WWE’s most memorable performers of his era and never received the full mainstream recognition that many felt his ability called for. For Zilla Fatu, getting to WWE is as much about completing something his father started as it is about his own career trajectory.
