Update on Jacob Fatu’s timeline for WWE return

An update on Jacob Fatu’s return.

On Friday’s SmackDown, Fatu was seen laid out, preventing him from competing against Drew McIntyre in a number one contender’s match that night for Cody Rhodes’ WWE title. This comes after reports indicated Fatu could be gone for a long period of time due to injury. However, Bryan Alvarez is now reporting that Fatu is likely be back sooner than later.

“It’s now looking likely Fatu will be back by Survivor Series weekend,” he writes.

Fatu hasn’t wrestled since September, dealing with a non-wrestling related injury. PWInsider reported earlier this week that a dental procedure is keeping Fatu from being cleared.

The show-long storyline on Friday had SmackDown GM Nick Aldis declare that the previously announced main event would now be a number one contender’s match. Fatu was seen on television exchanging words with Rhodes prior to the bout. But when his music played, Fatu was nowhere to be seen. Cameras backstage then caught Fatu on the floor, pinned under a steel truss. Blood could be seen coming from his mouth and what appeared to be teeth could be seen on the floor as well.

When McIntyre arrived for the match, he seemed to be pleased with what had happened but denied any involvment in the attack. Cody Rhodes came out and the two ended up having an impromptu match for the WWE title, ending in a DQ after Rhodes hit McIntyre with the WWE title.