5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE Raw (1 Jun - Results & Review)

2. Fatu Acknowledges His Tribal Chief

If the long-term goal of Jacob Fatu losing Tribal Combat and joining Roman Reigns’ troupe is to elevate the Samoan Werewolf ala Jey Uso, then Monday night was a good start to that journey.

Fatu walked out and spoke about understanding the repercussions of Tribal Combat and how he was there as a man, honoring the stipulation and keeping his word, serving as an example to his children. He acknowledged Reigns and took his place beside the Tribal Chief, which he had agreed to do if he lost on Sunday.

In doing so, Jacob showed dignity and respect, which likely will be tested in the coming weeks and months. If they book this properly, Fatu should be viewed as the conscience of the Bloodline 2.0 as it predictably descends back into its old ways. This was just a starting point for him, honoring the stip.

Jey coming full circle and going from the tormented, gaslit member of the Bloodline to the tormenter, jawing at Jacob and getting in his face, was a nice touch. Uso has gone from standing on his own to having guzzled a gallon of the Tribal Kool-Aid.

One gripe, however: to accept this storyline, you have to dismiss the entire “Jacob is a wild man, a danger to Raw and should be fired” shtick from the previous month. He can’t simultaneously be a man of conviction and honor, and also a crazed lunatic who can’t be controlled.

That’s a pretty big plot hole, and that knocks this down a couple pegs.