Solo Sikoa

Solo Sikoa
Joseph Yokozuna Fatu (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
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. He is named after his cousin’s in-ring name – Yokozuna. He played American football at American River College and Dickinson State University.
Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (2018–2021)
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. On January 25, 2019, Fatu would win the FSW Nevada State Championship, holding the belt for 149 days until losing to Hammerstone in June. 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.
WWE
NXT (2021–2022)
On August 30, 2021, it was announced Fatu signed a contract with WWE. 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. 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. On the January 11, 2022 episode of NXT, Boa and Sikoa fought to a double countout. This led to a No Disqualification Falls Count Anywhere match on the January 25 episode of NXT, which Sikoa won.
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. Sikoa was defeated twice by Grimes for the title. On the August 2 episode of NXT, Sikoa defeated Von Wagner in a falls count anywhere match after weeks of brawling, though he suffered a knee injury in the process.
The Bloodline (2022–present)
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. 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. 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. He defended the title three nights later at SmackDown against Madcap Moss, but was forced to vacate the title on the September 20 episode of NXT, as he was not sanctioned to compete in the match. 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.
On the March 27, 2023 episode of Raw, Sikoa suffered his first pinfall loss on the main roster against Cody Rhodes. At Wrestlemania 39 Night 2, Sikoa assisted Reigns to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Rhodes. 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. 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. On the June 16 episode of SmackDown, Sikoa's other brother, Jey, turned on Reigns and Sikoa to side with Jimmy. 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.
Personal life
On February 28, 2023, Fatu married Almia Williams. The couple have two children.
Other media
Fatu made his acting debut in Karyn Kusama's 2018 crime drama film, Destroyer, playing the role of Taz.
Sikoa is a playable character in the video game WWE 2K23, which marked his first debut in any WWE 2K game.
Filmography
Championships and accomplishments
Arizona Wrestling Federation
AWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
ESPN
Best Storyline of the Year (2022) –
Future Stars of Wrestling
FSW Nevada State Championship (1 time)
New York Post
Storyline of the Year (2022) –
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Faction of the Year (2022) – with The Bloodline
Ranked No. 38 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2023
WWE
NXT North American Championship (1 time)
References
External links
1993 births
Living people
Anoa'i family
21st-century professional wrestlers
American male professional wrestlers
American sportspeople of Samoan descent
Dickinson State Blue Hawks football players
NXT North American Champions
People from Sacramento, California
Professional wrestlers from California
Sportspeople from Sacramento, California
Sportspeople from San Francisco
American professional wrestlers of Samoan descent