The Insane Popularity Of The Bloodline (& What It Says About WWE Fans)

The more The Bloodline's popularity became an objective success between 2022 and 2023, the less need there was to collectively scratch heads or furrow brows about it.

A story that started in 2020 has, three years later, become an unqualified runaway success that will be etched in WWE history as one of the most significant of all time. Again, with numbers to back it up this is no longer hyperbolic nor a matter of seriously divisive opinion.

WWE spent the fat end of two decades trying to make the brand the star because Vince McMahon forgot how to book compelling stories and make them out of his signees. WrestleMania became a draw, but McMahon's attempt to apply this to every house show or television taping was fatally flawed, particularly as he also quite liked killing towns by beating local heroes.

Roman Reigns was the walking talking example of how the system was failing, but his success following his SummerSlam 2020 has been driven by a motivation between performer and promotion to finally, stubbornly get this right. Now, and especially since Sami Zayn first involved himself in the Bloodline's business in 2022, WWE fans are being incredibly well serviced and - as was the case with The Mega Powers and Austin Vs McMahon - are returning for more of the same. Supply and demand levels are healthy; Triple H doesn't have Roman Reigns to use every single week, but the character wouldn't resonate as powerfully as he does without the breathers anyway.

Vince McMahon's antagonistic attitude towards his audience was always dumb, but it was perplexing too - WWE hardcores want to love what they're watching, and general wrestling fans would rather see a good show than bad. The Bloodline hasn't been a case of keeping it simple, but to borrow from 'The Tribal Chief' a little, it's simply been about keeping the family around the table well fed.

WWE fans are Well Fed alright, but this saga's true genius has been about inviting them back in when they're hungry for more. Long may the feast continue.