Zilla Fatu, son of the late Umaga and a member of the legendary Anoa'i wrestling family, officially arrived in WWE on the August 11 episode of NXT. Multiple outlets confirmed he had signed with the company and was working out of the Performance Center. WWE is keeping his established ring name, with commentary identifying him as Zilla Fatu during the segment.
His debut came during a number one contender's match between Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller, which was set to determine the next challenger for Tony D'Angelo's NXT Championship. Fatu interfered to bring the bout to a no-contest, then attacked both men, delivering splashes and declaring there was a new sheriff in town.
As a result, the contendership picture has been reshaped, with a Fatal 4-Way for the NXT Championship expected at NXT Heatwave on August 30 involving Fatu, Waller, Montana and champion D'Angelo. Fatu, who began wrestling in 2023 after training under Booker T, continues the family lineage in WWE.