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The Breakfast Club
INTERVIEW: Jacob Fatu Talks SummerSlam 2025, Going From Prison To WWE Champion, Family, Action Figure + More
00:32:42
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- [00:00]
Podcast Host
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:05]
Carlos Miller
Taking control of your career is empowering. Just don't tell my boss I said that. Building a career isn't just about a job. It's about creating a path that impacts our community and future generations. Whether you're starting out or making big moves, State Farm is here to support you with resources to help protect what you're working hard to achieve. They've got your back every step of the way. Because like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Find out more@stateforum.com hold up.
- [00:34]
Charlamagne Tha God
Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up.
- [00:37]
DJ Envy
The Breakfast Club. Y' all finished or y' all done?
- [00:40]
Jacob Fatu
Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlamagne tha guy. We are the Breakfast Club. Lon Larose is here with us as well. And we got a special guest in the building. Yes, indeed, from the wwe, beating y' all niggas up. Ladies and gentlemen, Jacob Fatu.
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DJ Envy
Come on with it.
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Charlamagne Tha God
Come on with it, y'.
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DJ Envy
All.
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Charlamagne Tha God
Man, why you bring the U.S. oh.
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DJ Envy
Man, man, man, man, my. My little cousin Solo, man, took it from me, man, and beat me up. Him and his whole little MFT squad. But man, bro, we about to double back though this Sunday at MetLife, you know what I mean? SummerSlam, baby. We live and direct. I'm from the west coast, but, baby, the east coast has show me more love than anything, you know what I mean?
- [01:18]
Podcast Host
I love your energy.
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Charlamagne Tha God
So you getting it back? You getting it back this week?
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DJ Envy
Oh, man, I'm. I'm about to get it back. That's why I got all red on, baby. We about to get it back in blood. You feel me? Hello. Let's start.
- [01:27]
Jacob Fatu
I like to start from the beginning with your journey. Like, how did you get into wrestling? What made you say, I want to.
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DJ Envy
Be a wrestler, man, you know what? Somewhat similar to Charlamagne big brother story. I mean, it just took me one time to go to jail, bro. That was it. I was 18 and I mean, I had my kids and I was locked down. I'm, you know, even before that as a juvenile, man, you know, just. Just rough headed, man, getting going to juvie, the whole nine. But, you know, it's different. It's when you turn 18, man, you know, you don't get no passes, man. They send you right up, you know, right upstate to that thing. So being locked down, man, it was weird, you know, on the toilet with 12 other dudes facing you, you know what I mean? So, man, I had a double back, but I was sitting in the sitting in the cell, man, and flipping through the channels, you know what I mean? You know, you always got that one TV. And who Come on, man, my big cousins, the Usos. I mean, sorry, man, if I get emotional, because, you know, I mean, like, it really doubled back and changed my life. So when I seen him, it. It was like, man, this ain't it. This ain't the play, you know? I believe you said something too. You know, it ain't how you start, man, it's how you finish. You know what I mean? And, man, be a product of the environment. I mean, you really can't. You really can't let them. You really can't let the environment double back on you. So, man, I just got out and, man, I switched everything. Shout out to my wife, you know what I mean? So I had two kids, and, man, I got seven kids all together, but I had three kids at the time, and I named two of my kids when I was in jail. And, man, it just wasn't a good look, you know. And shout out to my wife, though, man, one of the realest ones, because, man, you know, if you lock down and you don't got nobody on the outside, you ain't getting no commissary, you know? I mean, bro, yo, yo, yo, yo, your time ain't coming by quick. So I answering them calls. Yeah, yeah. I mean, and, you know, and. And when they don't answer the calls, you know, bro, you don't see a lot of cats on the phone, bro. They going bad on the phone, you know. Thank God, though. You know, I had my love, though, there. But, man, she took care of me, though. And it was like, how's this woman taking care of me? I'm in jail when I'm supposed to be the man stepping up to take care of my business, you know? I mean, so, man, I out got locked down, see my brothers on tv, made my mind up. Wifey didn't even know. But, man, when I got out, you know, okay, I'm from California, Northern California, to be exact. You know, just to lace y' all up. SoCal way different than NorCal. But if you don't know, it's all one, though, man. My wife pulled up not even knowing she came up north, came and got me and said, bro, you love me and my kids, bro, you gonna hop up in this whip, you know? I mean, we gonna move down. And my uncle Rikishi, the uso, and Solo's father, which is my dad's older brother. My father's a Tonga Kid Sanfatu, my, My uncle Rikishi and my uncle Reno Anawai. They had a wrestling school called Knox Pro Academy, which is still here, you know, me, Rusev, Solo, we all came out of there, you know, but they was in SoCal. My ball, my wife lived in SoCal. So man, it was just, it was God's timing. So by the time I came down there, man, I just got to work, man, you know, I mean, but first, you know, before all that, man, you know, man, bro, we was bouncing for $60, you know, I mean, man, we was just trying to get through, that's it. Knowing our people and our culture.
- [04:28]
Charlamagne Tha God
Want to see them big.
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DJ Envy
Come on with it. But man, we end up doubling back and I start training and man, we was here, you know.
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Jacob Fatu
How long did it take for you to just to start training to actually get into your first real match?
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DJ Envy
Okay, so I was training for about a month, you know, I mean, mind you, I was the last cousin out of everybody, you know, cuz before me there was four other other of my cousins, you know, my uncle and them put everybody time up in there. Yeah. Yes, ma'. Am. So, so by the time I came in, you know, I was loose headed. Already was like, oh hell no, we don't want him. You know, I mean, so. But man, they took a chance. My trainer gangrel see me in the ring and told my uncles and them, hey man, y' all gotta handcuff this dude to a ring. You know, I didn't know he seen me messing around in the ring and all that. And he's, you know, I thank God I had the talent, you know, shout out to all my other family members that, that tried it. They didn't make it though. Yeah, I mean, but it's all love though, you know, man, I just, I was just blessed just to have the gift though with it. I mean.
- [05:28]
Charlamagne Tha God
So you didn't want to be a wrestler?
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DJ Envy
I mean, no, not at all. I was trying to be a rapper.
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Charlamagne Tha God
I mean, I mean, even seeing your father and Rashiki.
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DJ Envy
Aren't you related to the Rock too somewhere? I mean, no. Knowing Samoans and Polynesians, you know, bro, either one way or another, we all lined up. But no, none of us did. My Roman Reigns, the uso, none of us wanted to wrestle. I mean, we was always told do this last. So man, we was always just trying to play football, make our own thing. And yeah, I mean, it never worked out. It always came back to wrestling. And I say this all the time, professional wrestling saved my life. I say this all the time, man. Professional wrestling. I love it because it brings different cultures, different backgrounds. I mean, eventually, we all here right now. You know what I mean? So, man, just thank God, man. It's all God's timing when you walk.
- [06:11]
Charlamagne Tha God
Out into that arena. Now, how much of that moment is about proving something to yourself or proving something to the world that doubted you?
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DJ Envy
Man, you know what, man? When I walk out, I swear I. I, you know, I give God the glory. I know people, you know, they don't want to pray, but, man, I give God the glory right before I walk out. And then it's crazy to hear the whole stadium chanting, you know, jacob Fatu is my real name, you know, and it is. Fatu is solo and the Usos. It's our real name, you know, so it's mind blowing to hear them, you know, coming from being in the jail. Fatu, you getting released to, you know, the whole stadium yelling Fatu. Now, man, it means a lot. Not only that my kids are. Half of my kids are old enough to where they recognize it, you know? And, man, I'm just, you know, I'm just trying to do the right thing for them, man. At the end of the day, I'm just want to get my family set up, you know, God forbid anything happens, but, man, I'm just moving forward, man. It's all about my kids now.
- [07:02]
Podcast Host
Recently, I'm sorry, I was reading something on Yahoo. Sports in the. The person who wrote about you in the Bloodline. Your family. Yeah, there it was, a black woman. She was talking about how she gets upset. The way they refer to, like, how your family is talked about when you all, like, beat people or whatever. Because they call you guys savages.
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DJ Envy
Oh, yeah, yeah.
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Podcast Host
Is that. I mean, I thought that you kind of want that, but I knew she was leaning into, like, the whole because y' all are people of color thing.
- [07:25]
DJ Envy
Yeah, yeah. Well, you. I mean, I mean, just like what Brett said, you know, man, we. We islanders, we Samoans, you know, like, they. The time is different now. Back in the day, yeah, we used to wrestle with no shoes, crazy hair, headbutt, acting like we didn't speak English, you know, but overall, man, we loving people, but, you know, on the other side. Yeah, well, we don't want to go there yet, though. Yeah. I mean, but, yeah, man, that's just how they know us as the. The Samoan SWAT team. My father was actually the Samoan savage as well, you know, but, you know, times is different now. You know what I mean? So we Here, now.
- [07:55]
Podcast Host
It doesn't bother you?
- [07:56]
DJ Envy
No, not at all. No, not at all. It's just like. It's just like the Internet, you know, you can see the comments, man. We charge that to the game. You know, it's a different time now, Everybody. Yeah, you know, it's like back in the day, you know, we can't say anything. Everybody's getting so upset over every little thing now. So, no, it doesn't bother me at all. You know, I was taught to have tough skin up in here, you know? Like, it goes back to where I told my Uncle Rikishi and them when I first started training. I was like, why don't I need the belt? They say, you need the belt? I said, because, you know, I thought, I need the belt, you know, and then they said, okay, you're gonna go win the belt. I was like, all right. And then when you hold the belt up, you act like, you know, like Shawn Michaels. And then my uncle said, as soon as you hold the belt up, I'mma come in there and roll you up. 1, 2, 3. I mean, like, he had to humble me. Yeah. I mean, because I had to get humble. So at the end of the day, what that story was, it's just to have tough skin and, man, just keep it all moving and pushing.
- [08:44]
Charlamagne Tha God
That lady would have hated Kamala. Remember?
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DJ Envy
Oh, yeah.
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Podcast Host
A little bit of wrestling, that was just a part of the. The whole ambiance of what. You know, everybody has their characters and their things they lean into.
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DJ Envy
Yeah, no, absolutely.
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Jacob Fatu
Now, recently, Hulk Hogan passed away. Rest in peace.
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DJ Envy
Hulk Hogan. Yes. Rest in peace.
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Jacob Fatu
What does his legacy on. On wrestling mean to you, if anything?
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DJ Envy
Yeah, you know what? It just goes back to what Hunter said, you know, on smackdown, you know, Triple H, you know, my boss said it. We wouldn't be here if it were one for him, you know, because, you know, he was at that time. But at the end of the day, what it means to me, coming from a father's perspective, man, you know, somebody lost their dad at the end of the day, and I know y' all gonna hear me talk about my kids and, you know, a lot, because, you know, that's just how I'm looking at it. I mean, but overall, man, just like what Hunter said, man, you know, WWE wouldn't be none, you know, if it weren't for him and foremost. So, yeah, yeah.
- [09:40]
Charlamagne Tha God
People act like two things can't be true, right? Cause I see everybody, whenever you mention Hulk Hogan, they say, well, he was also a racist. I don't know him personally, I know the things that he said, you know, but it's just like, yeah, he probably could do that. But he also was, you know, a motivation for a lot of wrestlers. Yeah, yeah, man, he did put the WWE on his back and make wrestling what it is today.
- [09:59]
DJ Envy
Come on. Especially on that golden era, you know, but it just goes back to, you know, man, that's just somebody dad at the end of the day. I mean. I mean, that's just how I'm looking at it. But, yeah, man, rest in peace. To Hogano 100. 100.
- [10:11]
Jacob Fatu
Now, when you're training, how often do you train and how brutal is it for your body? How much do you have to go into recovery and rehab and all that other stuff?
- [10:18]
DJ Envy
Oh, man, it's about four days a week. You know, the traveling really takes a toll on us. You know, man, we're like, we're in and out, you know, man, we're on the last. We're on the last flight there, man. We get in, do our job, and then, man, we on the first flight, going back. But I had to learn how to respect the business. Even though I came up in the wrestling business, you know, I'm thinking, okay, my family's in there. It's going to be a cakewalk. Nah, it. I really had to learn how to respect it. I realized the sacrifices that my family has done, I realized, you know, all the stuff, all the time alone and away from our families, that, you know, it's a whole lot, man, but the training is different. You know, I think Brock Lesnar said this too. Every sport is different. Brock Lesnar left wrestling to go to the NFL. And, you know, he gave those guys they respect, you know, because the training is different, you know, So I think it was like, well, Michael Jordan had. Went to baseball, went back to basketball, you know, his body was different. So, man, the training is on a whole nother level. You know, I'm not saying we're the hardest, we're most badass or anything, you know, but I had to learn how to respect the business as a upcoming young family member, you know, but also as a worker as well. So, man, it's pretty difficult, but the recovery, it takes less than a second, you know, for you to hurt yourself, you know, it takes less. Any. Any wrong movement, man, even the way you fall, you know, so, you know, it takes less than a second. But the training, you just have to get trained the right way. I'm not saying it's because my uncle, These are my uncles who train me, but, man, I've seen these guys turn to nobody into somebody, and I'm one of those nobodies that they turned into somebody, I mean, because I was trained the proper way. But it's more than just the training. It's the locker room etiquette, you know, it's how you carry yourself around, you know, like, okay, everybody know my background, but, man, if somebody was to say something to me out there on the streets, you know, I mean, man, that I'm done with that tough guy stuff. I ain't. Well, I ain't here to fight nobody, you know, but this is where our training comes in. Yeah, I mean, so, yeah, man, it's. It comes full circle, not only in the ring, but outside of the ring as well.
- [12:27]
Charlamagne Tha God
Did you know how successful your family.
- [12:28]
DJ Envy
Was growing up, man? Nah, I. I grew up just as a kid, just enjoying it until, you know, until my uncle Rikishi came out during the Attitude era, you know, this is why I knew we was popping, you know, when the kids was making fun of them over there. And, man, because, you know, because we used to get in the fight sometimes, you know, hey, man, your uncle got the thong on here. So, you know, being an uncle. Yeah, I mean, being a nephew, trying to defend my uncle. But yeah, it was around that time. It definitely was around the Attitude era time, man, when I noticed, like, oh, man, like, bro, there's some big things going on around here, you know.
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Charlamagne Tha God
How much input did you have in, like, shaping your character? Because it's not really a character, like you said.
- [13:06]
DJ Envy
No, that's really me. I mean, I mean, well, you know, it. You know, I'm taking that Northern California, you know, and man, man, shout out to Uncle Earl, man. Earl Stevens, E40 water. Yeah, I mean, Mr. Fab and all of them. And Mozzarella. But, man, I. I'm just. I just want people to know, like, where I'm from, you know. Like I said, different times. Early 90s, you know, you had the Doink, the clowns, you know, the head shrinkers. Like this goes back to our family, you know, wearing no shoes, wrestling, being wild, some monster where, you know, there's so many of us in the family and. And. And shout out to my brother, my older cousin Roman reigns, the Usos and solo, you know, man, they had a lot, though, to do with me getting here. Yeah, I mean, WWE made it happen. Shout out to Hunter. But, man, there's so many of us to where it's like, I don't want to be known as the cousin, you know. I mean, so, okay, how. How, How. How they gonna receive Jacob? How is. You know, so there ain't no other way. I don't want to play no character. So the only way for me to do is just to do me what I've been doing for the past 12 years and just be myself, you know? I know, once again, just keep going back to my kids, you know, I can't do. I can't tell my kids one thing and I'm doing another. So, man, overall, it's just me just being who I am right now, you know? I mean, and it so, so, so far, it's working. I mean, damn, Brad. It got me over here on the Breakfast Club, so I think we're doing all right, you know what I mean?
- [14:25]
Podcast Host
You also got a action figure coming into Walmart?
- [14:28]
DJ Envy
Yes, ma'. Am. Oh, man.
- [14:29]
Podcast Host
And that was I. So you were at San Diego Comic Con. You presented the figures, but you used to work at Walmart, too?
- [14:34]
DJ Envy
Oh, hell yeah, man. Man, I used to do all jobs, man. I used to work overnight at Lowe's, man. Man, I was the best stalker at Walmart. Girl, you go down my aisle, girl. They couldn't touch me down there. So, I mean, but I was the crazy thing about that, on my lunch breaks, I would. Because I'm such a fan of my family, you know, my cousins don't like when I stop, but, man, I love my. This. If I didn't love my family in the business, there's no. Then I would not be here.
- [14:57]
Charlamagne Tha God
I mean, Roman, Reigns, Rakishi, them some good.
- [14:59]
DJ Envy
Come on, come on now. Come on. Street Fighter movie, man. Come on, man. Man, they should have put my goddamn but shout out to Big Roman, right? I mean, we acknowledge the uso, but, man, just to double back on that, it was mind blowing being over there. Not only that, like, for me, coming to working in Walmart, to working overnight at Lowe's, to having little side jobs here and there, anything I had to do just to put food on the table. Especially during the pandemic, because, Lord, man, everybody know how that thing was, so, man, I was doing anything and everything. Sorry to go off the question, but, you know, I ain't ashamed of them because my father did that, you know, I mean, I see my father picking up cans during my Pop Warner football games, and I remember I was crying one day I seen him, you know, I mean, and then my mom was like, man, don't be embarrassed. That's your dad. I will never forget the following week, I asked my dad, I said, dad, you got some lunch money. He opened his wallet, he was like, yeah, your ass was crying about me picking up them cans. All right, remember, man, this is where this $10 came from, you know, I mean, so this comes back to, you know, like what you said with me working in what, Man, I do anything and everything, you know, to take care of them, but, man, it's mind blowing, man, especially to have my own action figure, you know, coming from Sacramento county jail to, man, to. To having my action figure up in there. And I'm happy that my kids are old enough, you know, to where they're able to see this, you know, because, man, my kids have been through the whole grind with me, you know, I mean, like, man, they'd have been in and out through the pandemic, through everything. So it's. It's really good.
- [16:21]
Carlos Miller
Hey, fam, if you're like me, you're thinking about how to level up in your career, maybe you're fresh out of college, just started in your field, or even looking to switch things up and find your true calling. Whatever stage you're in, remember that this is your time to grow, to learn, and to build something that lasts. State Farm understands that early career development is key to long term success. They've been a steady presence in our communities and they know that having the right support early on can make all the difference. State Farm is there to help you make smart moves and to help you get the coverage you need. We all know the journey to success is a marathon, not a sprint. It's about staying focused, staying grounded, and making sure you're protected every step of the way. Let's build our careers with confidence, knowing that State Forum is there to support us, just like they've always been. Because like a good neighbor, State Forum is there. Find out more@stateforum.com thank you for bringing that up.
- [17:16]
DJ Envy
I appreciate that.
- [17:17]
Charlamagne Tha God
What's crazy is growing up, I thought that came with the WWE starter kit, like the action figure, video game appearance, like that. It take time to get to all that.
- [17:24]
DJ Envy
Yeah. I mean, because. Because not every. Well, one thing I'm learning is, you know, Mike, I only been in WWE for about a year, but I've been doing this for 12 years, so I'm still learning about everything. But man, my career, man, has been so awesome, so blessed, man. So awesome to where I am able to be in the video game. I am now when they're selling the smackdown wrestling ring is coming with one action figure, and that action figure is me up in there. So wow, man, I'M I'm very happy, man. I'm very blessed. But a lot of people don't even know. Like, I'm actually a fan of everybody else, though, you know? I mean, so, yeah, when they. When they promoted that, man, it just didn't get no better. Not only that, at Comic Con five years ago, I was at Comic Con with my Uncle Rikishi, you know, helping him out with his 8 by tens. And then this year, man, we double back to where, you know, I'm on stage and people are once again chanting the name Fatu. And, man, it don't get no better.
- [18:16]
Charlamagne Tha God
Before WWE was with mlw, right?
- [18:18]
DJ Envy
Yep, I was with mlw. And, you know, this goes back to everybody's story different. You know, they said, jacob, you should have been in WWE five years ago. No, no, no, no. Jacob would have been fired. You know, I. I needed that growth. I was happy. Like my brother Solo, you know, he went from college. It didn't take him as long. So every. All of our stories are different, but at the end of the day, it's all God's timing like this. I was supposed to come in around this time, you know what I mean? But I was shout out to MO MOW gave me that platform, you know.
- [18:49]
Charlamagne Tha God
And you're the longest running heavyweight.
- [18:51]
DJ Envy
Oh, man. Yeah. I mean. I mean, you know what? We gonna keep it 100. Let's go back to the pandemic, because we didn't have shows, so, you know, I kind of take. I kind of take half those days off. You know what I mean? So I'm gonna be real. I ain't gonna sit here and be like, yeah, I held the belt for 800. Yeah, I mean, like, we're gonna keep it 100. All right. It was minus, like, half of that, but MOW gave me that platform, and I'm very thankful. Not only that, New York and Philadelphia raised me on the independent scene. They really did, because, man, these cats will call y' all out over here if. If your ass suck. Oh, bruh, I seen somebody get water thrown on them in New York just for having a basketball jersey. I mean, like, bro, bro, it'd be going Manny out here, but overall, man, shout out to the east coast, man, especially New York and Philadelphia, man. For real.
- [19:36]
Podcast Host
You got your new song. Hello.
- [19:38]
DJ Envy
Oh, no. Okay, listen, we gonna touch bases on that, man. Okay, this goes back to y'. All mean before the whole started? Yeah, I mean, I was, you know, I was trying to be a rap, but that song was made 11 years ago. You know, if People really want to tap in with it. I got seven kids. I only named three kids at that time, so. But overall, man, that was, that was just some. My cousin had got us a studio, you know, just to keep us out the streets. And mind this, when I first started training, I ain't, I didn't know I was coming to WWE or anything, but my Uncle R just had that song, though. You know, he had it tucked away and, and threw himself on the chorus, you know, But I didn't even know until it doubled back. I actually forgot about that song because, you know, man, we've been so busy. But that song was made, like 11 years ago, though. Yeah. Because I was. If you go back and double back on it, I was just trying. I was manifest. I was just trying to. Yeah, I mean, I was just. I, I said, I'm trying to get a house on the beach and get rich off the top rope. So, yeah, we here now.
- [20:31]
Jacob Fatu
Now, you talk about your seven kids a lot.
- [20:33]
DJ Envy
Yeah.
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Jacob Fatu
Would you want any of them to wrestle?
- [20:37]
DJ Envy
You know what, man? I, I will say this. I, I would say no because I know how the life is on the road and know the ups, downs, you know, the, you know, because it ain't easy, you know, but since it kept me out the way to be a father to them and if they love it and if they have passion, which is my girls do. My boys is. Yeah. I mean, they, they do their own thing, but my girls, yeah, definitely. And there, There wouldn't be no other way. And, man, they're, they're so, they're so into it right now. I mean, I was on the Independence. They never used to watch me, man. My kids ain't start watching me till I got on tv. Yeah. I mean, it usually work like that. I mean, but yeah, man, definitely. My girls, though, man, I know a lot of people don't want their kids to wrestle, but like I said, man, it's a whole nother time right now. How was your oldest man, Papa? How's Pop? 19. Pop 19 and my youngest. Oh, bro, I'm good at this, man. 19, 16, 15, 13, 12, and 4.
- [21:34]
Charlamagne Tha God
So you 33 with seven kids?
- [21:36]
DJ Envy
Yeah. No. No, 35. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
- [21:39]
Charlamagne Tha God
So you lost a bunch of matches to condoms.
- [21:41]
DJ Envy
Oh, come on, brother. I, I, I had no TV. Looks like we got a lot of TVs in here, though.
- [21:52]
Charlamagne Tha God
Absolutely. Listen, I want to go back to the, the mindset shift that happened.
- [21:56]
DJ Envy
Yeah.
- [21:56]
Charlamagne Tha God
You know, after you had got, you know, caught up in, in jail. What, what was the mindset? Shift that made you say, you know what? Not only am I not going back to that, I'm gonna stay focused on doing exactly this.
- [22:07]
DJ Envy
Oh, man. You know what, bruh? Oh, man, it was, man, it was going to jail, bro. It was getting that strike. You know, California, we got those three strikes, and, man, it's just going back and forth to court, man. When I got that strike and, you know, I'm young, I'm 18, but, man, just being in there, man, it just. It wasn't right, man. It just didn't feel right. And, you know, I had a lot of partners shoot, you know, you know, passing. A lot of them was getting strung out on drugs, you know, and then I got. I go back home. I love my city. I love Sacramento. But, man, bro, I'm really in and out, you know? It really hurts me when I, you know, roll around over there and see people I used to look up to. Either they're not there no more or they're all strung out, you know? And it sucks, though, because it's like, damn, bro, you was homie back then, you know? I mean, but it was that and then, man, I just wanted to get, you know, get my parents a better life, get my siblings, you know, my kids. And like I said, I was in lock down and named two of my kids when I was locked down. And, bro, that was not the play, you know? I mean, especially having a strong woman like that, like, you know, her taking care of me. Oh, no, bro, I got this backwards. Yeah, let me get out and get this thing going.
- [23:19]
Charlamagne Tha God
How much time did you do?
- [23:21]
DJ Envy
Oh, bro, so listen, I. I was always doing, like county years. I mean, I was always violated. I, I, I never really went to prison. Yeah. I mean, because that's what I'm saying. It spooked me. But I was always violating, you know? I mean, so. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was it, though. What? It was just violating. It was never on no drugs or anything. I mean, because I ain't really get down like that. I mean, but it was just being young and dumb. That was it, man.
- [23:43]
Charlamagne Tha God
Do you think that the only way for people to truly, you know, find a different direction is to have something to do?
- [23:49]
DJ Envy
Yeah. Because, man. What, Why I say that? Because I remember my mom always said, man, you better do something, keep yourself busy, you know, because, man, you got too much time on your hands then, you know, that's when everything start, you know, start falling apart and stuff. Not only that, I had to move out of my city, shout out to the people who stay in A city that got it together. But I'm. I'm different, you know, And. And I'm probably not the only guy who did it. I had to move out of my city to really get focused. I mean, so that's why I give it up to my wife, you know? I mean, like, that's why I always talk about her and give it up and she don't like it. But, baby, we in the Breakfast Club right now. Yeah. I mean, let's go, man. So. But yeah, man. Yeah. I think you gotta find some, you know, definitely find something that you passionate about. I didn't grow up wanting to be a wrestler, you know, but, man, it just clicked. And not only that, when I found, you know, when I was good at it. And once again, let's go back to our training. I'm not saying this because it's my uncle and him. I'm not saying this because it's my uncle and them at all. Cause they gonna think I'm. No, I didn't. It was the training, bruh. They done turned to nobody into somebody.
- [24:51]
Jacob Fatu
I love the way you talk about your family. You know, Charlamagne and myself always talk about the biggest thing in our lives is our wives.
- [24:58]
DJ Envy
Yeah, come on.
- [24:59]
Jacob Fatu
I've been married 24 years. He's been married, what, 19?
- [25:02]
Charlamagne Tha God
I've been married 10. But I've been with my wife for 27.
- [25:05]
DJ Envy
Come on.
- [25:06]
Jacob Fatu
And we just talk about. We always telling the young boys, like, find somebody early. Cause that'll keep you outta trouble.
- [25:11]
DJ Envy
Come on. Hey, man. And there ain't no other person I'd rather have shared what we got going. Because it ain't just Jacob, man. You know, I mean, like, my wife had a big part with me. Don't get, you know, getting here. And once again, I don't know, she don't like me talking about it. But, baby, we here at the Breakfast Club, you know, I mean, hello, you.
- [25:28]
Charlamagne Tha God
I mean, what's something fans still don't fully understand about the bloodline family dynamic?
- [25:35]
DJ Envy
Oh, man. That we're really family. This ain't. This ain't scripted. Oh, they're related to them? No, like, man, we. We are really. We're really one family, you know, this is really one family that has been with the company since the mid-70s. Coming from the Rock's grandfather, High Chi, Peter Mavia, you know, to Alpha and Sika, you know, Roman Reigns dad, you know, to my father, to my uncle, to the Yokozuna man, the great Samu like to trickle down to, man, I'm Forgetting a lot, a lot of people. But then it came all the way down to Roman Reigns, the best tag team in the world. The USO's, Jimmy and Jay, you know, all the way to my brother. I. I mean, we. We getting into it right now, this Sunday, but all the way to Solo Sequoia. You know, man, these. These, These gentlemen, man, not only are they my family, you know, and this goes back to Solo, man. You know, SummerSlam met, like this Sunday in the cage. Me and Bread locked down. You know, it sucks because our kids and our wives at the end of the day, you know, but, man, what family don't fight. I mean, like, it ain't your real family if you're not fighting. But, man, it goes all the way down to Solo, and it came down to me and my bro. I know why. So, man, this goes back to what you. You know, I'm just trying to. I don't want to just be known as the cousin, you know, when you talk about Jake Fatu, oh, bro, you're gonna feel this. You know what I mean? So, and, and, and, and like you said earlier, what did we do for the character? This ain't the character. This is. This is me. I don't know how to be no other way. You know what I mean? And especially being in jail, he like, oh, hell no. There ain't no other way to be. I mean, so, yeah, man, I'm just trying to just make. Make my footprint, though. Yeah. I mean, there's some more Dynasty.
- [27:13]
Charlamagne Tha God
When you fight Solo Sunday, how, you know, hard is it to push the gas? Y' all in a steel cage. Them steel cage matches get violent, man, bloody, you know, you're gonna look into the audience and your family together.
- [27:26]
DJ Envy
How.
- [27:27]
Charlamagne Tha God
How hard is it? How difficult it's gonna be to push the gas?
- [27:29]
DJ Envy
I think, man. Sorry, man. I think it's gonna be a very emotional growing up with Solo, man, for what he has done ever since Roman left. But, man, Solo, man, that's my brother, man, since day one, you know, not a day ago, man. And it ain't nothing but being loved. But it's gonna be difficult, man, especially having our wives and, you know, our family out there. And not only that, at such a big stage, before us at such a big stage. SummerSlam where Yokozuna, his father, Rikishi, the. The Rock, my father. To SummerSlam, it's like our wrestling, it's like WrestleMania, you know? Not only that, man, we're back at two days and what way to do it, bruh? And MetLife out here in New York, you know what I mean?
- [28:14]
Jacob Fatu
So this is the first ever two night SummerSlam.
- [28:16]
DJ Envy
Yeah, first ever two night. And once again, this is all God's time and I'm so happy to be a part of this right now. But yeah, man, it's gonna be live. It's gonna be a little difficult. I'm not gonna sugarcoat stuff like, oh, I'm gonna go in there and beat his ass. No. Cause man, he's a made man as well. I mean, but the push is it.
- [28:34]
Jacob Fatu
With the elements outside because you know, indoors, you know what you're gonna get. But now you outdoors so you, you can get this little rain you can get.
- [28:41]
DJ Envy
So, so, so this is my first time gonna be working outside with the company. I mean, I don't wrestled in New Jersey outside of a bar, in the parking lot, all that way. I mean, but that's when I was on Independence. But it's gonna be my first outside show with wwe. But I believe last time they were here, it was raining. Last time, you know, it was raining a little bit. But you know, if you go towards the ring, they have these big pillars though, you know, I mean, over it. So the ring will be okay. But it might suck though, you know, if it rains though, because the fans are out there. I don't know if they could cover everything because there's no rooftop over here. Yeah, I mean, hell yeah, man. All wrestlers get nervous and you know what they say. It's a wrestling saying, man. If you're not getting nervous before you going out, then you're not feeling it no more, you know. Yeah, man, I'm. Man, I'm having a panic attack, right? But then, boom. Get that time to myself. Get on one knee, man. Thank the Lord. Wake up, man. It's go time. I mean, so. And mind you, I wasn't even. I didn't plan on. Okay, everybody plans on coming to wwe. But at the end of the day, I want people to understand, like, nobody could have touched me because of the, you know, because of my background and stuff, man. Shout out to Hunter. Shout out to Triple H, man, this era that he got us going in, man, he made everything happen. WWE made everything happen, man. Shout out to the legal team, man. Shout out to the people who put up the cameras, who put up the ring. Yeah. I mean, because we wouldn't be nothing without them. Okay. Yeah, y' all know the wrestlers and stuff, but man, it take a. A teamwork to make the dream work, man. So shout out to everybody, man. Who's Been putting it down over there, setting up the ring, the backstages, decaturing, you know, the people who drive the trucks from city to city. I mean, so, yeah, man, it's all of us, man, to make this thing work, man.
- [30:24]
Charlamagne Tha God
What. What legacy do you want to leave? Not just as a fight too, but as a man who just made it through all the things you've.
- [30:30]
DJ Envy
You've been through, man. It's just. It's okay to be nice to people, man. It's. Don't believe in the hype, man. We got an agent called Michael Hayes. He always says this, you know, when you're over and when you're over, like when we say that wrestling term over, it's like, you know, like you think you're popular, you know, you think you're doing good. But Michael Hayes always says this, man. When you think you're over, you're not over. You know what I. But, man, just do the right thing when nobody's looking, man. That's it, man. Do the right thing when nobody's looking. Cause God sees everything. And you know, man, forgive. Forgive people like, no, man, don't have no hate in your heart. None of that. And it's just crazy what it's going down to now, you know, I mean, but man, definitely do the right thing when nobody's looking. But the legacy I want to live just, you know, just. Can't nobody talk bad about me, you know, when God forbid anything happens, like, my kids is going to know, bro, my dad was straight up, you know, I mean, like, my dad was a good dude. He did take care of these people. Yeah, I mean, he did take care of us. Like, even when we see a homeless people out. Yeah. I mean, Brad, just right there, you know, or just say hello to people, man. Bruh, we was through the Drive through the other day. I just said hello to the Drive through people. Yeah, I mean, just, hey, how y' all doing? Y' all have a good day, man. Just lit a smile on their face, you know. But you don't know what these people going through. I mean, like, bro, they could get ready to go, go do something else. But, man, just by you saying hello, giving them a hug and say, how you doing, bro? You might have changed the whole move, you know, I mean, so. Yeah, sorry. I don't know if they answered your question though, bro.
- [31:57]
Charlamagne Tha God
I say the same thing when people ask me, like, you know, what do you want your legacy to be? I just want people to say, yo, he was of service.
- [32:02]
DJ Envy
Yeah, that's it.
- [32:03]
Charlamagne Tha God
He was of service. You know, he made somebody's life better.
- [32:06]
DJ Envy
Yes, that's it. And, you know, this goes back to the Cena thing when I, you know, just. When Cena just said before everything, you just asked him, like, hey, how are. How are you doing? How was you? And, you know, I remember you said, like, you know, well, people do interviews, media, you know, they always say the same thing. But I thought that was dope, though, bro, because not a lot of people do ask us that type of stuff.
- [32:24]
Jacob Fatu
We always ask cuz we know how tough it is. Like, yeah, you know, of course you're a wrestler and you work and people love you. But sometimes just a matter like, how are you doing?
- [32:31]
DJ Envy
Are you good? Are you all right?
- [32:33]
Jacob Fatu
Sometimes just getting like, yo, thank you for asking, cuz. You don't use the kid. And I think that means the most.
- [32:37]
Charlamagne Tha God
That's why he got that blanket on his iron. You didn't even ask him.
- [32:43]
DJ Envy
What'S wrong with you?
- [32:46]
Podcast Host
He's really trying to hide his arms from you. He.
- [32:49]
Charlamagne Tha God
Oh, yeah, he does. No, that's too. He right. She's right. He gets so insecure about his own tiktop on one day online and everybody was killing him. So when somebody come in here buff, he, like, covers up. That's okay.
- [33:00]
Podcast Host
Let himself, though.
- [33:02]
DJ Envy
How much.
- [33:02]
Jacob Fatu
How much do I have to pay to slap Charlemagne?
- [33:04]
DJ Envy
Oh. Oh, no. Well, man, I ain't. You know, I grew up watching y', all, bro. So, you know, like I said, we at the Breakfast Club again. Might have to pay. Big bro over there with the hat.
- [33:13]
Charlamagne Tha God
On over there, he wants you to slam him. Before you walked in here, he was like, man, Jacob, F2 coming. I want to wrestle with. When he said it was crazy. I want to wrestle with.
- [33:23]
Podcast Host
Wrestle.
- [33:25]
Charlamagne Tha God
I want to wrestle.
- [33:27]
Jacob Fatu
Good luck this weekend. Hopefully you come out on top, man. And we appreciate you for joining us.
- [33:32]
DJ Envy
Anytime you in town, you want to.
- [33:33]
Jacob Fatu
Pull up on us, please do.
- [33:37]
Charlamagne Tha God
Anytime you on top. You wanna. You wanna wrestle all gas? No.
- [33:48]
Jacob Fatu
Thank you so much, man. Tonight, SummerSlam takes place Saturday and Sunday at MetLife Stadium. If there's tickets still left, go get your tickets. And thank you for joining us.
- [33:58]
DJ Envy
100. Thank y', all, bro.
- [34:00]
Jacob Fatu
It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.
- [34:03]
Charlamagne Tha God
Every day I wake up.
- [34:04]
DJ Envy
Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club.
- [34:10]
Just Hilarious
Taking control of your career is empowering. Just don't tell my boss I said that. Just kidding. I am the boss. This is Carlos Miller from the 85 South Show. And building a career isn't just about a job. It's about creating a path that impacts our community and future generations. Whether you're starting out or even making big moves, State Farm is here to support you with resources to help protect what you're working hard to achieve. They've got your back every step of the way. Because, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Find out more@state farm.com this is an iHeart podcast.