10 Precise Turning Points Where WWE Did The Impossible

3. Sami Zayn Joins The Bloodline

WWE Raw Sami Zayn Jey Uso
WWE

More on this story later because it’s birthed a number of modern era outliers, but it’s important to remember just what The Bloodline was before Sami Zayn tiptoed towards it for the first time in April 2022.

It was a stable that existed to service Roman Reigns, but that’s about the only thing recognisable about the state of things when Sami first gingerly approaches ‘The Tribal Chief’. The makings of an intra-Uso emotional conflict first teased in 2021 had disappeared. As had realistic opponents to dethrone Reigns beyond a recently-returned Cody Rhodes, but he’d already called his shot for the following year’s WrestleMania. ‘The Head Of The Table’ had nothing left to prove or even win after defeating Brock Lesnar in a blah ‘Show Of Shows’ main event, and to that end had just announced that he’d be shifting to a part-time schedule in a move that convinced many that the end of his time on top was fast approaching.

One by one, the inclusion of Sami in the group’s business addressed every single problem one by one. The Usos were no longer just bumping goons for the big boss, Reigns’ feuds were suddenly rich in detail thanks to Sami’s charming assistance, and the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion appeared on more shows than expected with typically magnificent ramifications.

Suddenly there was tangible drama, and both promotion and performers were only just getting started…

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett