Saturday night at the 2024 edition of SummerSlam, WWE exited what almost felt like an offseason for the sport, mostly due to Roman Reigns’ triumphant return.
As roughly 99 percent of fans could have predicted, Reigns’ music hit during the main event between Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa after a heavy dose of shenanigans during a Bloodline Rules match.
And as those fans could have easily predicted as well, Reigns took aim at his own family by ensuring Sikoa’s defeat:
WWE @WWEROMAN REIGNS IS BACK!#SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/a49hy66nzo
But predictable isn’t bad in pro wrestling when it properly aligns with timing—and now fans get the continuation of the Bloodline saga, one of the greatest tales ever weaved in the sport.
Granted, the announcers tried to drum up the suspense as Reigns walked down the aisle, of course, suggesting that he might actually be back to go after Rhodes, the man who ended his historic title reign.
But fans knew better—and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Now, the Bloodline saga renews in earnest, with Reigns likely positioning himself as the No. 1 contender to Rhodes while also attempting to clean up a messy family situation. While he’s been away, Sikoa has recruited a literal army with The Tongans and Jacob Fatu.
That Reigns was draped in an OTC (Original Tribal Chief) shirt points to this angle well enough. There’s also the matter of his relationship with Paul Heyman and that ever-lurking presence of a corporate Dwayne Johnson possibly pulling strings in the background that will come to light near next year’s WrestleMania 41.
Keep in mind, too, that Reigns will need to grapple, in a very meta sense, with the fact that fans have finally embraced him as a “good guy” after years of a Vince McMcMahon-led creative team desperately trying to achieve that feat.
And what better way to quiet those things than going after Rhodes? From a character motivation standpoint, he can point the finger at The American Nightmare and blame him for his family blowing up.
Those complexities were painted on Reigns’ face throughout the return, just in how he looked at Rhodes. At one point, he went from shaking his head in disgust while Sikoa screamed in the aftermath, to almost sarcastically clapping while the undisputed WWE champion celebrated in the ring.
These gray-area character motivations that have defined the Triple H era of creativity and really pioneered by Reigns and The Bloodline are just straight-up compelling at all times.
Lest we forget yet another factor: The Usos. If WWE keeps the Bloodline saga a family-based affair, Reigns is going to need some help and is vastly outnumbered. A little redemption arc with Jimmy and Jey, the latter of whom has been in a massive singles rut anyway, would set up a civil war that can headline PLEs without titles at stake.
WWE @WWEHow is the champ feeling about THAT return at #SummerSlam? pic.twitter.com/ijkfvTFUTf
WWE had been in a lull before Reigns’ return, one that nearly felt like an offseason. That’s not to say there weren’t interesting things happening, but the predictable events at SummerSlam reinforced the idea that the holding pattern is over.
Reigns’ return was by far the biggest factor. But massive Judgment Day happenings unfolded (Dom Mysterio betrayed Rhea Ripley, Finn Bálor cost Damian Priest his title to bring on the Gunther era), Bron Breakker became intercontinental champion, LA Knight won the United States championship, and Drew McIntyre-CM Punk finally had their first match while involving Seth Rollins.
So, while Reigns isn’t the only thing accelerating the past and must-see status of all WWE programming right now, he’s right at the top. The return and fallout, while predictable, were mere proof that WWE is back on track as far as storytelling is concerned—those Big Four PLEs feel vitally important with key payoffs once more.
In this particular case, the momentum is going to uptick dramatically around The Bloodline, with each PLE stop on the schedule potentially having important ripple effects on next year’s ‘Mania, which could go any number of ways. Reigns vs. Rock? Reigns vs. Rhodes 3?
There should be zero complaints about either—Reigns and the Bloodline saga will cook it up in a compelling way to continue one of the best-ever storylines.
Source : Bleacher Report