6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (8 Nov - Results & Review)
2. Sami Zayn Demands An Apology
You knew that the top two 'Ups' would be reserved for all things Bloodline once Sami Zayn's teaser was advertised for this week's SmackDown. Jey Uso invited "Sami Uso" to come and patch things up with Roman Reigns. WWE resisted the urge to make that happen immediately during the opening segment. Good for them. This is a story that's rewarded fan patience in the past anyway.
Fans popped huge for all three entrances (Roman with Jimmy, Jey and then Sami), and the stuff Zayn said on the mic was particularly poignant. It was always going to be important to answer some big questions if these guys are teaming together for WarGames at Survivor Series. They couldn't just play happy families because an annual showpiece is around the corner.
Context was needed. Context was given.
Sami demanded that Reigns say sorry to Jey for everything that's happened in the past. That was so in character for a babyface like Zayn, and it came off well since Roman thought Sami wanted Reigns to grovel to him. The 'Tribal Chief' then spinning that around to make demands of his own and telling Solo Sikoa to get out there worked too.
Then, to put a pretty bow on all of this, Jacob Fatu popped up on the tron to say Solo does things when he wants, not when Roman demands it. Pretty strong setup segment for later on, this. WWE handled these fractious relationships well, but clearly put over how much love remains between guys who bonded despite never being blood.