WWE 'Raw': Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu sign contract for 'Backlash'

May 5 (UPI) -- World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns signed the contract to officially face his cousin Jacob Fatu on WWE Raw.

Reigns and Fatu met in the ring Monday alongside Raw general manager Adam Pearce to sign the match contract. A table and chairs were set up.

Reigns explained how their needs to be some respect between family members after Fatu last week choked out the champion with the powerful Tongan Death Grip move.

"The Tongan Death Grip. You disrespect me with something that you save for desperate measures. What do you think this is? We're at the bar at 3 a.m. and you're surrounded eight to one. That's when you pull out the Tongan Death Grip. That's when you snap somebody's throat," Reigns said.

"You don't do that to family," the champion continued.

Fatu, dangerous and unpredictable, said he was desperate with his back against the wall.

"I have no other choice but to take you out, take this title and everything that comes with it," Fatu said.

Reigns signed the contract to meet Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash on May 9.

Reigns then stood up from the table and started to get into Fatu's face before the Samoan Werewolf unleashed the Tongan Death Grip once again. Reigns would briefly escape and landed some punches before he found himself trapped in the devastating submission hold once again.

Fatu then slammed the champion onto the table and signed the contract himself as Raw went off the air.

2026 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 10:23 AM.