Royce Isaacs bolsters Jacob Fatu before Backlash title bout

Jacob Fatu received encouragement from fellow WWE wrestler Royce Isaacs during Friday Night SmackDown in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 8, 2026. The exchange occurred backstage after Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso warned Fatu in the ring ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns at Backlash. Isaacs urged Fatu to ignore the warnings and prevail at the premium live event in Tampa.

Fatu had delivered a promo declaring the Backlash main event a fight for his family and vowing to become World Heavyweight champion. He warned the Usos against interference, threatening to dismantle the family tree. Isaacs, encountering Fatu backstage, dismissed the Usos' words and reminded him of their shared indie struggles: "I heard what your cousins said out there, forget all that noise. Failure has never been an option for us, has it? ... Go to Backlash, bring that home."

Isaacs and Fatu share a history from Bay Area promotions including West Coast Pro before joining WWE. Jey Uso later approached Isaacs before his match against Tama Tonga, warning him to stay out of family business or face the Tribal Chief.

Fatu challenges Reigns for the World Heavyweight title at Backlash on Saturday.