6 Ups & 7 Downs From WWE Raw (April 24 - Review)

2. Bloodline Mind Games

Just when you thought the Bloodline stories were getting downplayed and ratcheted down in significance, WWE actually came through with an interesting wrinkle Monday night.

Sami Zayn and Jey Uso continued their strained relationship, with Zayn trying to convince Jey that it was weird how the brothers said they were going to win the tag titles back on SmackDown for Roman Reigns rather than for themselves. He also put doubt in Jey’s head by pointing out that if they lose now, Roman will be embarrassed and could take it out on the Usos.

Jimmy Uso took this development and flipped it back on Sami, suggesting that Kevin Owens only reconciled with Zayn to win the tag titles, so if they lose them on Friday, KO will turn on his best friend (again), which then put doubt in Zayn’s head. Owens didn’t help matters by blowing up at Sami for even talking to the Usos, but Matt Riddle managed to calm things down and assuage Sami’s fears.

All of this was an interesting way of adding stakes to a tag title rematch that closed out night one of WrestleMania 39. It’s now more than just a tag title match; it’s a battle to remain intact and in good graces, to save face. To lose could mean disaster. For the Bloodline, it could mean facing the Tribal Chief to explain themselves.

That alone makes this all the more interesting.