Sami Zayn’s new reign as United States Champion is beginning under challenging circumstances. Just a week after winning the title from Solo Sikoa with crucial assistance from Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso, Zayn has lost a key ally, as Jimmy has apparently moved to Raw. This shift has led to speculation that Zayn could form an official tag team with Fatu on SmackDown to even the odds against Sikoa and his MFT faction.
The need for a strategic alliance is clear. Sikoa is expected to pursue the championship he just lost, and his MFT group provides a significant numbers advantage. A partnership with Fatu would give Zayn a powerful equalizer. Fatu has consistently demonstrated his ability to neutralize multiple opponents at once, a skill that would be vital in countering the constant threat posed by Sikoa’s stable.
The potential pairing is not without precedent. The trio of Zayn, Fatu, and Jimmy Uso recently proved their effectiveness on the August 15 episode of SmackDown, where they defeated Sikoa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo in a six-man tag team main event. In that match, Zayn secured the pinfall on Sikoa after Fatu took out an interfering Tonga with a superkick.
For Fatu, the conflict is deeply personal and extends beyond simply aiding the new champion. He lost the United States Championship to Sikoa at SummerSlam on August 3 in a steel cage match, largely due to interference from MFT. Even in defeat, Fatu ended the event by delivering a moonsault from the top of the cage onto two members of the faction, showing his continued focus on dismantling the group.
The friction between Fatu and Sikoa dates back several months, originating after Fatu’s championship victory at WrestleMania 41. Tensions grew when Sikoa began adding members like JC Mateo to their faction without Fatu’s approval, fracturing their original alliance and setting the stage for the ongoing rivalry. While a formal team-up between Zayn and Fatu remains speculative, the developing situation on SmackDown points toward a necessary and logical next step for both men.