The Incident
Everything looked set for a blockbuster main event: Jacob Fatu was scheduled to face Drew McIntyre for a number-one contender spot and a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship.
But the plan was derailed when a sudden and mysterious attack left Fatu bloodied, trapped under production equipment backstage, and unable to compete.
Fatu’s entrance never arrived, prompting Aldis to intervene and announce the match’s cancellation or re-formatting on the spot.
Aldis Steps In — Attempting to Unmask the Culprit
As General Manager, Nick Aldis wasted no time addressing the carnage. He confronted McIntyre in the ring and directly asked if he had anything to do with it. McIntyre denied involvement.
However, the timing raised eyebrows: the assault happened just before Fatu’s match with McIntyre, which naturally cast suspicion on the Scottish Warrior. Aldis’s interrogation added an additional layer of tension to the storyline.
The Stakes & Fallout
With Fatu sidelined, WWE pivoted the night in a different direction: McIntyre entered a violent impromptu showdown with Cody Rhodes, which ended in disqualification after a chaotic brawl.
Meanwhile, key questions remain unanswered:
Who really attacked Jacob Fatu?
Was it simply a storyline device to write Fatu off TV for injury-recovery reasons (reports suggest a non-wrestling dental or medical procedure) or part of a larger angle?
How will this affect Fatu’s momentum and the championship picture moving forward?
Why This Moment Stands Out
Unexpected and brutal — Fatu was found in a gruesome backstage scene, making the moment visceral and unforgettable.
A management figure stepping directly into the action — Aldis didn’t just announce the match change; he acted as a detective of sorts, heightening the drama.
Ambiguity keeps fans guessing — With no clear culprit, speculation is rampant, making this storyline more engaging. See lists of “possible attackers” floating online.
Real-life injury angle blending with storyline — Reports suggest Fatu’s absence might be real, giving the segment added edge.
What to Watch Next
Will Aldis produce evidence or surveillance footage pointing to the culprit?
Will Fatu return and seek revenge — and if so, against whom?
How will McIntyre spin his denial: as innocent or cunningly innocent?
What role will Rhodes play? (After all, he benefits from Fatu’s absence and was furious post-brawl.)
Will the mysterious attacker be one of the rumored names (Randy Orton, Aleister Black, or member(s) of the MFT/Family Tree) or a total shock debut?
In sum, this was a high-stakes moment on SmackDown, injecting mystery, drama, and real-world urgency into the story of Jacob Fatu. Nick Aldis playing detective added a fresh layer to the management role, while the absence of clarity around the attacker ensures the narrative will simmer for weeks.
