Imagine this: a wrestling match so intense, it leaves fans on the edge of their seats, only to be upended by a surprise interference that changes everything. That’s exactly what happened last Friday on WWE SmackDown when Jacob Fatu made a shocking return, ambushing both Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes during their Three Stages of Hell Match for the WWE Undisputed Championship. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite initially striking McIntyre, Fatu turned his wrath on Rhodes, allowing McIntyre to escape the Steel Cage and claim the title. Was this a strategic move, or a twist no one saw coming? And this is the part most people miss—Fatu’s return wasn’t just a random event. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE had big plans for Fatu before his three-month hiatus due to dental surgery. Originally, he was slated to be part of a three-way feud with McIntyre and Rhodes, a storyline that could have reshaped the championship landscape. Meltzer noted, ‘They were going to do a three-way program already and they’d even started that,’ but Fatu’s absence forced WWE to pivot, moving the McIntyre-Rhodes match to Survivor Series instead. Now, with Fatu back in the mix, the question looms: will he set his sights on Rhodes, especially after the backstage attack in October that many believe Rhodes was involved in? Or will all three stars collide in a renewed push for the WWE Undisputed Championship? Here’s the bold part: Meltzer suggests WWE might revert to their original plan for the trio, but is that the right move, or should they embrace the unpredictability Fatu brings? What do you think—is Fatu’s return a game-changer, or a missed opportunity? Let us know in the comments! (Credit: Wrestling Observer Radio, h/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.)
