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WWE superstar accused of taking thousands from charity event, working to make things right

Updated: 06-11-2024, 08.21 AM

(WTAJ) — A WWE superstar is going viral on X after being accused of taking money for a charity event in 2023 and canceling but never returning the funds — now he’s working to make things right.

Jacob Fatu, who signed with the WWE and joined the white-hot “Bloodline” in June 2024, was accused of taking money to appear at a charity wrestling event, then canceling and ghosting the organizers and the charity and never returning the money he was paid, Jake’s Network of Hope said.

The organization claimed on Reddit in 2023 that Fatu agreed to work a charity event for them. They said he was paid $2,633, which included his booking fee, air travel and a hotel room. Organizers of the non-profit went on to claim Fatu missed his flight and called an hour after to say there was a “family emergency” and he wouldn’t make it.

The non-profit said they understood that things like this happen, however, they continued their story to say Fatu then began ghosting them, the organizers, and the person he worked with to book the event.

The story was picked up in June 2023 by NBC.

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Fast forward to November 2024 — Jacob Fatu is red hot on WWE SmackDown every Friday night in the super popular Bloodline group/story featuring Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Solo Sikoa.

Over this past weekend though, organizers with the non-profit shared an update that they still haven’t heard from Fatu nor have they ever received money back from him.

Since then, WTAJ reached out to Jake’s Network of Hope and learned that the matter is being dealt with privately, starting with a phone call and apology from Fatu.

“Jacob Fatu and our organization are addressing this matter privately, beginning with a phone call and heartfelt apology back in May. While the full amount owed hasn’t yet been repaid, we appreciated Jacob’s acknowledgment. It can be tough to face up to your wrong doings, and we commend him for taking steps toward confronting his.”

Jake’s Network of Hope

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According to Dr. Chris Featherstone of Sportskeeda, he was told people internally at WWE are aware of the situation and are currently investigating. There was no information on if Fatu will face any sort of repercussions, such as the way Triple H was “punished” in 1996 after he broke character at a show to say farewell to his friends Scott Hall and Kevin Nash who left for rival WCW. It’s well documented that Triple H was meant to win the King of the Ring that year, but after the incident, it went to Stone Cold Steve Austin.

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