6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 20)

4. Roman’s Mind Games

Sami Zayn Roman Reigns Paul Heyman Solo Sikoa The Bloodline
WWE

Incoming weekly praise for The Bloodline.

There's a depth to this story involving Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn and others that you just don't get from most pro wrestling narratives. This week, Roman set the tone for the rest of the night by blanking Sami's attempted fist bump right at the top of the show. That broke poor wee Sami's heart.

More mindful*ckery followed when Reigns told Zayn to get out of his private dressing room later. Then, as if that wasn't enough for one show, Roman sought council from Paul Heyman and smoothed things over like a manipulation machine. It was all top class character work.

This series of skits achieved two things. Firstly, it brilliantly portrayed Roman's manipulative, selfish side. Second, it made Sami a helpless puppy dog who kinda knows what's coming next but doesn't want to admit it.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.