Bully Ray Critiques Roman Reigns Powering Out of the Tongan Death Grip at WWE Backlash

During a recent edition of Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray critiqued Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Title in the main event at WWE Backlash Tampa 2026. Bully Ray took exception to Reigns powering out of the Tongan Death Grim in the matchup. Below are some highlights (via WrestlingInc.com):

Bully Ray on Roman Reigns Powering Out of the Tongan Death Grip

“I don’t think Roman Reigns should’ve hulked up out of the Tongan Death Grip. That’s the one part of the match where I was like ‘Uh uh. This doesn’t work for me.’ There is no hulking up out of a Tongan Death Grip. There is no hulking up out of having your Adam’s Apple crushed in another human being’s hands.”

On Why He Didn’t Like It

“I don’t give a rats *** how tough Roman Reigns is. You don’t have a man the size, the stature, the strength of a Jacob Fatu crushing your Adam’s Apple in his hands enough to bring you down to your knees, and then all of a sudden you’re like ‘No! I’m getting this shot of adrenaline and I’m going to come out of it!’ Uh uh brother. It ain’t happening. That’s the only part of the match I wish they would’ve looked at a little differently, because to me, it’s beyond the realm of believability.”

Although Reigns won the bout to retain his title, his feud with Jacob Fatu rages on. During last night’s WWE Raw, Fatu refused to acknowledge Reigns during a special ceremony. He then laid out Reigns and The Usos.