On the ‘Memphis In May’ barbecue, Bill Goldberg called Paul Wight (The Big Show) his “biggest obstacle” due to his massive size.
Goldberg explained that beating a 525-pound giant within the ring tested his power, conditioning, and confidence greater than anyone else. He said,
“He was the largest obstacle because he was literally the largest obstacle. He was a 525 lb man who ultimately I needed to beat within the ring, which meant that I had to choose him up and walk across the ring with 520-something kilos on me. That was tough, but I enjoyed it.”
“And to provide you a little bit behind-the-scenes info, he hated being the wrong way up. Obviously, a person that size, it’s very rare that anybody could do this to him, but he had never been up in that move. I attempted to carry him up within the air so long as possible to where he would squeal and I’d let him down. That was the one way that I could have any control over a man that big. So he, absolute confidence, was my largest obstacle.”
During a recent interview with Peter Rosenberg, Jacob Fatu refused to rename the Tongan Death Grip as he considers it a sacred, legendary move that pays homage to Haku and their shared family heritage.
You possibly can take a look at some highlights from the interview below:
On his relationship with Tonga Loa: “I began throughout after I went back to Florida. I didn’t need nothing, you understand what I mean? And shout out to Tonga Loa man, he’s the primary one who bought my bed. As soon as I moved in the home man, my brother asked, ‘What your number was? What’s your address?’ Next thing you understand, the primary bed I ever had, Tonga Loa bought it. [Simulates knocking on door.] “Hey Uce, something ought to be on the door?’ ‘What, something on the door?’ Man, there’s movers. [They] got here, dropped the bed off. Tonga Loa looked out, man.”
“Because of this 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 do know these brothers — I do know I genuinely love my Tongan brothers, you understand what I mean? And for this reason the Tongan Death Grip… it’s not about changing the name. No. Man, I’m getting goosebumps without delay because this move is a sacred move. It’s different.”
On using the move in his feud with Roman Reigns: “I talked to Talla Tonga. I’m just pleased and thankful I’m capable of use this and produce it back. Because man, there’s no other move that would have did this with Roman. Let’s be for real, what else would? This guy has been F5’d, this guy has been through all of it…
“You gotta hit them — and that is one thing. Man, when you can’t go against it, man. There’s just one thing that’s going to take us down and take us out. That’s anything to do with our Bloodline, or our family. There’s no other move besides the Tongan Death Grip. So man, I couldn’t have it no other way. And no, we’re not changing the name. Since it wouldn’t be what it is that if it’s not the Tongan Death Grip.”
Lodestone is Bayley’s project designed to bridge the gap between independent wrestlers and contracted talent, fostering real relationships, mentorship, and exposure across wrestling’s different levels.
On Twitter, Bayley wrote, “One among my predominant goals when creating #Lodestone was to bridge the gap between independent wrestlers and people under contracts. Attending to know these women and following their journeys has change into so special to me, their bond is so real 💜🌎 Vegas mini doc coming next week!”