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