The Bloodline have been at the top of the WWE food chain since 2020, with the WWE Universe acknowledging Roman Reigns as their Tribal Chief. The members of this stable are pureblood wrestling superstars, with their families plying their trade in the business for generations before their arrival. This is the story of the greatest stable in WWE history.
Roman Reigns: Born again
Following The Shield‘s debut on the WWE main roster, Roman Reigns was always seen as the muscle of the team. When the group finally goes their separate ways, Roman is given a hefty push to be the face of the company. He accomplishes so much by winning multiple World Championships and “main-eventing” WrestleMania. The fans, however, grew tired of this character they’ve seen before countless times.
The producers thought they could use the same formula that they gave to past superstars like The Rock and John Cena. The only problem is that Roman Reigns does not have the same charisma. John Cena once told Roman Reigns “I do this part-time better than you can ever do it full-time.” That quote struck a chord with Roman. His work on the mic needed improvement, his moves inside the ring needed a refresh, and his character needed an upgrade.
In 2020, Roman Reigns was forced to withdraw from his WWE World Championship match at WrestleMania 36. The Covid pandemic was in full swing, and due to Roman’s leukemia history, he did not want to risk his health in that environment.
A “repackaged” Reigns returns at SummerSlam later that year, attacking Braun Strowman and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt during their Championship match. The following episode of SmackDown Reigns aligns himself with Paul Heyman, turning heel for the first time since 2014. His entire demeanor was different. This is not the Roman Reigns people knew from a few months back. His actions were different, his promos improved, and his body language is that of a person wanting to prove that he is the best that ever lived.
A family feud
Roman Reigns went on to win the WWE Universal Championship at Payback on August 30, 2020. Not long after that, there was a Fatal 4-way match to decide the Number 1 Contender to face Roman Reigns at Clash of Champions for the WWE Universal Championship. Big E was injured during an episode of SmackDown, making him ineligible to partake in the match. Jey Uso, Reigns’ cousin, ends up being his replacement. Jey goes on to win the match, earning a chance to win Championship gold.
Roman Reigns retains his championship title at Clash of Champions by Technical Knockout when Jey’s twin brother, Jimmy, comes down to the ring and throws in the towel. Jey earns another shot against Roman at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, in an “I Quit” match. There is a stipulation that if Jey loses, he will have to follow Roman Reigns’ orders or be kicked out of the family. Jey loses the match when Roman starts attacking an injured Jimmy Uso and forces Jey to quit.
Thereafter, Jey starts doing Roman’s dirty work by attacking various superstars that refuse to acknowledge Reigns as The Tribal Chief. Jey earns the name “Main Event Jey Uso” because he manages to headline multiple episodes of RAW and SmackDown, a rarity in his wrestling career. Reigns takes the credit for elevating Jey’s career and putting food on the table for his family. Jimmy did not like the fact that his brother was Roman’s right-hand-man. He called Jey “Reigns’ b*tch”, and started wearing a t-shirt that read “Nobody’s b*tch”.
Birth of The Bloodline
On an episode of Smackdown, The Uso’s faced Rey Mysterio and his son Domonic for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Roman Reigns interferes during the match to ensure his cousins do not embarrass themselves, and bring shame to the family. Reigns attacks Domonic, and doesn’t stop despite the referee calling for the match ending bell. Jimmy thinks Reigns goes too far, and the tension between the two is clear.
The constant disagreement between Jimmy and Roman eventually lead to Jey walking out, causing Roman to manipulate Jimmy by blaming the “walk out” on him. Not long after, Jimmy offers his help to Roman Reigns as an olive branch for causing Jey to walk out. The following week, Jey returns and reunites with his brother and his cousin, turning the Uso’s heel for the first time and marking the birth of “The Bloodline.” Roman as the Head of the Table, The Uso’s as his “henchmen” and Paul Heyman as their Special Counsel.
The Tribal Gold
Roman Reigns defends his Championship against multiple superstars, with The Uso’s and Paul Heyman in his corner. The Uso’s become the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, ensuring all members of The Bloodline carry championship gold. At WrestleMania 38, Roman Reigns faces off against WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. The winner of the match crowns the first Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Reigns goes on to win the match, securing his status as the best in the company. Also at WrestleMania 38, The Uso’s face RAW Tag Team Champions “RK-Bro”. The Uso’s are victorious, becoming the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions, and securing an Undisputed Champion title for each member of The Bloodline.
The Honorary ‘Uce’
Sami Zayn has been in multiple mid-card feuds on the main roster, and is looking for something bigger. What is bigger than aligning with The Bloodline? He introduces himself to Roman Reigns, tries to get into the good books of The Uso’s and sweet talks his way through conversations with Paul Heyman. Jimmy is the only one that warms up to Sami at first, but when Sami acknowledges Reigns as The Tribal Chief; he is accepted into the fold.
Jey Uso does not buy into it. He constantly opposes making Sami a part of their tribe. Sami is not family. He is not from their bloodline. Even though Jey does not give his blessing, Reigns presents Sami with an “Honorary Uce” t-shirt, making his induction into The Bloodline official.
Loyalties tested
At Clash at the Castle on September 3, 2022, Reigns faced Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Roman wins the match with the help of The Uso’s younger brother, Solo Sikoa, making him the newest member of The Bloodline. Sami forms a tight bond with Jimmy and Solo, but gets the cold shoulder from Jey. Sami tries proving his loyalty to Jey countless times, and at Survivor Series Wargames he finally receives the full Bloodline approval. Kevin Owens, who is known to be Sami Zayn’s long time best friend, teams up with The Brawling Brutes to take on The Bloodline.
During the match, all eyes are on Zayn to see if he will do what’s necessary to ensure The Bloodline are victorious. In the decisive moment, Zayn delivers the knockout blow to Owens and gets the win for Reigns’ team. At the end of the night, Jey finally accepts Sami as an Honorary Uce.
The road to WrestleMania
In the lead up to the 2023 Royal Rumble, there are a few occurrences where Sami Zayn is not be on the same page as the rest of The Bloodline. At the 2023 Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes wins the namesake event, ensuring he faces Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
Meanwhile, Roman Reigns successfully defends his title against Kevin Owens with the help of The Bloodline. Thereafter, they proceed to beatdown “KO” and Roman is going to deliver the final blow in the form of a steel chair shot. Sami stops him, declaring that he shouldn’t do it and that “it’s beneath him” as a Tribal Chief. Roman agrees and tells Sami to “end” Owens.
Sami Zayn has never won the affection of the crowd on this level before. “Sami” chants get louder as the segment goes on. Eventually, when Sami reaches his boiling point, he delivers the chair shot. However, it is Reigns on the receiving end, not Owens. Jimmy and Solo attack Zayn, hereby ending Zayn’s affiliation with The Bloodline. Jey, looking heartbroken and betrayed, leaves the arena feeling lost and confused.
A long overdue reunion
With every show thereafter, the crowd chants louder and louder for Sami. Sami challenges Roman to a title match at Elimination Chamber, which he ends up losing. Jimmy and Solo are the only muscle in The Bloodline, as Jey is still MIA. Eventually, Jey returns to team up with his brother in a match up.
Jey’s stance is indecisive until he attacks Sami and officially sides with The Bloodline again. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens try to take on The Bloodline alone and are unsuccessful. They eventually team up to challenge The Uso’s for their Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 39.
The writing of this entire story is nothing short of magnificent. Each character involved has opportunities in the spotlight and has their status within the company elevated. The in-ring promos have been excellent. Roman Reigns looks a completely different character to the one three years ago.
After John Cena calls him out, he goes back to the drawing board. Together with the creatives, they think of ways to try and create something fresh that has not been done before. The outcome? Somebody that gets insane acknowledgment with the WWE Universe, and a championship reign of 932+ days. That is mighty impressive! The Bloodline story has been box office from the beginning, and the best part is that you don’t need to be a wrestling fan to appreciate it.
What’s next for The Bloodline?
Roman Reigns hopes to defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39. The Uso’s will try and retain their Undisputed Tag Team Championships against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. If all members of The Bloodline lose their championships, could this be the end of arguably the greatest faction in WWE history? Let us know on our socials!
WrestleMania 39 will take place on April 1 and 2, 2023.
