The Insane Popularity Of The Bloodline (& What It Says About WWE Fans)

By Michael Hamflett / July 23, 2023

On the July 21st edition of SmackDown, Roman Reigns and Jey Uso held a "Rules Of Engagement" segment to determine exactly what the stipulation would be for their Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at SummerSlam.

They arrived "Tribal Combat", which we quickly learned was merely a Bloodline-d up No Holds Barred match. Jey controlled the segment in a powerful reversal of how the relationship with Roman Reigns has been since 2020, and used his position of dominance to let the audience in on what the 'Tribal Chief presumably already knew. He could use chairs, tables, kendo sticks and anything else and it'd all be legal. Reigns wondered aloud if the family elders would go for such a thing but Uso fired back that they inspired it. This was yet another significant moment in the undulating story.

The lore extended beyond the men in the ring and out to the upper generations of the samoan dynasty. Paul Heyman was loudly imploring Reigns not to take the match, perhaps mindful of the real bloodline he's tried to keep associated with over the years. He didn't get his wish. Reigns removed his lei and title belt, agreed to the match, then shockingly stopped Solo Sikoa from hitting a deadly Samoan Spike. Had he been consumed by honour in the knowledge that the elders were doubting his legitimacy? Was he playing one last chess move to try and return to the space he'd occupied in Jey's head for three years? Was he merely asserting power over Solo because it's all he has left to consolidate?

The SummerSlam match graphic that flashed up served as an immediate destination for answers, and the fanbase will absolutely be along for the ride. This wasn't cinema, this wasn't theatre, and it wasn't even Emmy-quality drama. But it was peak-tier Sports Entertainment, and the epic Bloodline saga has returned that tortured label a pedestal it hasn't been placed upon for years.

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