Contract signings almost always go the same way: talk a little, someone signs the contract, more trash talk, things get physical. Occasionally it’s a brawl, sometimes it’s some fisticuffs, and sometimes someone goes through a table. During the signing for Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu, I expected at least one. I got more than that.

What stood out the most (well, besides Reigns gasping for breath and slobbering when the show went off the air) was the promos. The “OTC” is great on the mic, especially when he’s gaslighting a family member. Fatu is good on the mic too. Reigns was furious with Fatu for using the Tongan Death Grip. He explained to Fatu that you only use it when you’re desperate and never on your family. Fatu said that he feels like it’s just him on his own and his back is against the wall. He promised to beat Reigns and put “this game in a chokehold and squeeze out every dollar and every cent just the way this company has been doing our family for decades.”

Reigns retorted that he’s been “grinding for over a decade for multiple households. You’re worried about seven kids? I’m worried about 170 kids that fill our family. You’re worried about education? I’m worried about generation after generation of higher education because I can do that. This company wants to do business with me.” It was an intriguing way to blend real life family dynamics into a storyline that’s stretched over years and through multiple family members. Fatu is desperate to prove himself and to earn a title that he thinks he needs to have equal power.

Fatu locked in the Tongan Death Grip again and Reigns was the desperate one. He was struggling to breathe and wildly grabbing at Adam Pearce for help. Fatu put Reigns through a table that didn’t break and he went sliding off. Fans weren’t chanting for their Tribal Chief that they acknowledged earlier in the segment, but for Fatu. Fatu did something that’s hard to do with Reigns by making him look weakened — and more importantly, beatable.

Written by Samantha Schipman

World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu made their match for WWE Backlash on Saturday official with a contract signing in the main event of “WWE Raw.” The segment ended in a brawl, one that saw Fatu slam Reigns through a table after locking in the Tongan Death Grip yet again.

After telling Omaha, Nebraska to “acknowledge him,” Reigns told his cousin it was the sound of respect. He said he was the one who “held the door open” for Solo Sikoa to come into WWE, so therefore, he also brought Fatu in. He said Fatu needed to respect him, and there needed to be an honor system in their family. He ran down Fatu for his use of the Tongan Death Grip and said that’s a move you only use for desperate measures.

Fatu said he is desperate and it feels like it’s him against the world, and he has no other choice but to take Reigns out and take his title and everything that comes with it. He said he’s desperate enough to do anything for his household.

Reigns signed the contract and said he’s been grinding at the top for multiple households and generations of their family, because he’s the only one who can do that. He said that as family, they’re equals, but in the ring, Fatu is beneath him. That’s when Fatu snapped and tried to apply the Tongan Death Grip once again, but Reigns fought him off.

Fatu tried to counter the Superman Punch with the hold, and Pearce tried to separate them, but Fatu sent Reigns through the table. Officials held Fatu back from Reigns as the show came to a close.

The first week of Oba Femi’s open challenge kicked off with a win over Otis during “WWE Raw.” 

Femi beat Brock Lesnar and appeared to retire the “Beast Incarnate” at WrestleMania 42, going on to beat Grayson Waller during last week’s show before establishing he would be holding a weekly open challenge moving forward. 

The first to answer that call appeared to be Akira Tozawa at first, entering alongside Maxxine Dupri and Otis to confront Femi in the ring. When finally faced with “The Ruler” and his sheer size, Tozawa backed out and it was Otis who stood opposite him. 

Otis gave it his best shot and, while imposing himself, ultimately fell victim to Femi’s explosive power with a flying uppercut and Fall From Grace powerbomb for the winning pinfall. With the win, he remains undefeated on the main roster since marking his transition with a Royal Rumble appearance in January.