Matt Hardy thinks WWE should resist the temptation to immediately put Zilla Fatu into The Bloodline, arguing that an extended run in NXT will give him the opportunity to establish an identity of his own.
Fatu, the 26-year-veteran son of the late Umaga, made his NXT debut on Tuesday. He interrupted the number one hopeful’s match between Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller, jumped both men and delivered Samoan Splashes before warning NXT Titleholder Tony D’Angelo that there was a latest sheriff in town.
Hardy shared he was pleased WWE had initiated Fatu in NXT rather than promptly placing him alongside members of his family on the main lineup — speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy. Meanwhile, i think he could use a very quality run in NXT, really become established on his own as a Zilla Fatu — as an individual character, not just lumped in with all the small ones. “I think right now I’m extremely happy to see him in NXT. It’s kind of hard to stand out.”, because once you get into the whole Bloodline deal.
Hardy is confident that Fatu should remain there for at least several months. “I think he would be served for having a little bit longer of a run in NXT. I think he needs to create his own identity. I would like to see him be there for a few months and really establish himself. In a connected development, i want people to know who Zilla Fatu is.”
His concern is not with The Bloodline itself, yet with how difficult it could be for another member of the Anoa’i family to distinguish himself within a group already containing several established stars. “If you just automatically jump into the Bloodline, it’s really easy to get lost in the shuffle there, just because there’s so many great Samoans. It’s hard to really stand out.”
Hardy thinks establishing Fatu independently would actually make him more valuable if WWE eventually does bring him into The Bloodline story. “In NXT, I think he can stand out on his own and really establish his own identity, which will make him even more valuable if he does become part of the whole Bloodline story.”
There is another benefit to keeping Fatu in NXT. Hardy feels it will allow him to learn how WWE television works without right away facing the pressures associated with the main list of performers. That experience of working that WWE product without the full pressure of main roster. Big shows on you — I think that would be very beneficial for him.” “He can on top of that learn television considerably well, learn how to work television very well.
Fatu already had several years of experience before signing with WWE. Hardy nevertheless thinks Fatu’s attitude and willingness to work within WWE’s system will be particularly important during the next stage of his development. Trained by Booker T at Reality of Wrestling, he became the promotion’s top title holder and what's more worked for promotions including GCW and House of Glory.
“Plenty of it is going to depend on his attitude, how easy it is to work with him. On a related note, you have to understand that with WWE, especially when you’re beginning — you go with the flow, and whatever they give you, you make the most of. Building on that, just got to keep a good attitude, got to stay positive, got to stay optimistic, and just bust your ass, work as hard as you can.”
Hardy has a personal connection to Fatu that goes back considerably further than their matches on the independent scene. Matt and Jeff Hardy were close with Fatu’s father Umaga, whose real name was Edward “Eki” Fatu. Hardy said Jeff and Umaga were particularly close friends. “Both myself and Jeff were really close with Eki, which is Umaga. We both had lots of love for him. We were all tight. We all ran together. But him and Jeff, they were like best friends.” Hardy even remembers meeting Zilla shortly after his birth. “Obviously the moment was remarkably sad when we surrendered him. We’d met Zilla right after he was born.”
Years later, the Hardys eventually shared the ring with Fatu. Matt said one of Zilla’s ambitions on the independent scene had been to team with the brothers because of their relationship with his father. “Just getting to know him and then getting to work with him, and the things he said his dad had said about us, the situation was his dream to team with us.”
The three eventually teamed at Fourth Rope ahead of WrestleCade, while the Hardys what's more worked against Fatu for House of Glory. “He’s got a commendable soul. Hardy acknowledged that Fatu has experienced difficulties in his life though spoke warmly about the person he has become. He’s had some ups and downs in life, but everyone has. He’s a good soul, and I wish all the best for him.”
Umaga died in December 2009 at the age of 36 after a WWE career that included two Intercontinental Championship reigns and a prominent role at WrestleMania 23.
Zilla now enters WWE as another member of a family already heavily represented across the company, with Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu among his cousins.
Hardy believes that connection can eventually become an asset. Meanwhile, for now, though, he wants WWE to give Zilla enough time in NXT to ensure fans know who he is before he becomes another member of The Bloodline.