WWE’s Jacob Fatu explains why Tongan death grip is ‘sacred’

Last week on WWE SmackDown, Jacob Fatu and his cousins the Usos described the Tongan death grip as a “sacred” hold. We now know this was more than just a wrestling promo—it’s how Fatu really feels. 

Fatu discussed the history of the hold in a conversation with Peter Rosenberg. When he first moved to Florida, Fatu explained, he had no money, and it was Tonga Loa who paid for his bed. 

“Tonga Loa looked out, man,” he said. “This is why I’m so close with them. It ain’t because they’re Tongan. It ain’t because our dads used to tag. Nah, man, I know these brothers. I know I genuinely love my Tongan brothers. … This is why the Tongan death grip, it’s not about changing the name. I’m getting goosebumps right now because this move is a sacred move.”

As Fatu mentioned, his father Tama used to team with Tonga Loa’s father Haku as the Islanders in the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s. He’s using the hold as a tribute to Haku.

“That’s a man that my dad was very scared of, but respected so much,” Fatu said. “For us to be all tied in and for me to bring this back out, it’s really to pay homage.”