Zilla Fatu has made it clear that if he gets a chance in WWE, he does not wish to go to AEW.
Speaking on the Bootleg Cave podcast, the rising independent wrestler said his heart lies with WWE rather than AEW, citing family loyalty and a personal mission to honor the legacy of his late father, Umaga.
The conversation started with host Kev asking about Fatu's match against MJF for the AEW World Championship at the House of Glory show in February. Fatu was measured by how he prepared the experience, taking the match like no other while acknowledging MJF's position in wrestling.
"That's the beauty of independent companies like House of Glory and Fourth Row, we're able to do this kind of work 100% of the time," Fatu said. "I treat it just like every other match, right? Obviously, MJF is a superstar in his own little world, but I treat it just like every other match." Asked whether the match was prepared in advance, Fatu said that work was done "everything on the fly".
When Cave asked if Fatu would consider AEW's offers, the answer was immediate. "No, I think my heart is with 'E' right now," Fatu said.
Cave said WWE is also where most of his family works, including Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sequoia and Jacob Fatu. The district directly acknowledged the mobility. "Yes, yes, 100%. So, I'm not going to break that cycle. I respect it. And then not only that, I've got unfinished business to complete my father's legacy."
Umaga, who died in 2009, was one of WWE's most memorable performers of his era and never received the full mainstream recognition many felt he needed for his ability. For Zilla Fatu, going to WWE is as much about completing something started by her father as it is about her own career path.
