Backstage News On Zilla Fatu Keeping His Name Following WWE Debut

Unlike other recent WWE signings, Zilla Fatu - the son of Umaga - will not be undergoing a name change in the company.

WWE NXT commentator Vic Joseph referred to the 26-year-old as 'Zilla Fatu' during his WWE debut on the August 11 episode of NXT and Zilla Fatu merchandise has since been released on WWE Shop.

False Finish has reported that the expectation was always that Zilla Fatu would make his WWE debut under that name and there was never any talk of changing Fatu's name before he appeared on NXT for the first time. This was why Vic Joseph was able to refer to Zilla Fatu under that moniker, as opposed to other recent debuts like Mike Santana, who was referred to as a former TNA World Champion and promptly renamed Cruz Montana.

Fatu debuted during the main event of WWE NXT, attacking Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller to end their number one contender's match for the NXT Title in a no contest. Fatu then hit a succession of Bloodline moves, including a Superman punch and Uso splash, and he pointed at NXT Champion Tony D'Angelo to close out the show.

A member of the Anoa'i family, Zilla Fatu had been expected to sign with WWE for weeks and he was always expected to begin on NXT as opposed to the WWE main roster.

Fatu began his pro wrestling career in 2022, months after he was released from prison after spending six years behind bars for aggravated robbery. Fatu established himself as a featured performer on the indies, while he also worked one match for TNA as a representative of 4th Rope at the Slammiversary 2025 pre-show.