Featured Columnist IVSeptember 14, 2024
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Cody Rhodes defeated Solo Sikoa in a steel cage match on the premiere episode of SmackDown on USA Network on Friday to retain the undisputed WWE Championship.
Much like at SummerSlam when Rhodes faced Sikoa in the main event, Roman Reigns made his presence felt on SmackDown, as he arrived to get revenge on Sikoa and The Bloodline for attacking him several weeks ago.
WWE @WWE
This is CHAOS! 😱
The Bloodline is completely out of control!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7jNu4R67nw
WWE @WWE
THE OTC IS HERE! 😤@WWERomanReigns wants revenge!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/PGov4sDX8n
WWE @WWE
Who would’ve thought @CodyRhodes and @WWERomanReigns would take out The Bloodline… TOGETHER?!? 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OS6Yz1v6Fb
Rhodes beat Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40 back in April, ending one of the most incredible title runs in company history.
After dropping the title, Reigns took several months off, and while he was away, Sikoa stepped up as Tribal Chief and completely reshaped The Bloodline in his own vision.
In addition to kicking out his own brother, Jimmy Uso, as well as “The Wiseman” Paul Heyman, Solo brought in Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and the dangerous Jacob Fatu.
Together, the new Bloodline has wreaked havoc on SmackDown, and they made such an impact that Sikoa was named No. 1 contender for the WWE title leading up to SummerSlam.
While Solo seemingly had The American Nightmare on the ropes at SummerSlam due to Bloodline interference, Reigns made his surprise return to WWE programming and laid out Solo, allowing Cody to retain.
During Reigns’ absence, Sikoa took several shots at him, suggesting that he failed at WrestleMania and no longer deserved the title of Tribal Chief.
In the weeks that followed, Reigns attempted to take back power of The Bloodline, but Fatu returned from an injury suffered at SummerSlam and was chiefly responsible for putting Reigns on the shelf.
After Rhodes beat Kevin Owens to retain the WWE Championship at Bash in Berlin, he accepted Sikoa’s challenge for a SummerSlam rematch, but it came with a catch.
In an attempt to prevent outside interference, SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis booked a steel cage match for SmackDown, upping the ante even more for the rematch.
The result was ultimately the same as SummerSlam with Rhodes retaining the WWE Championship, meaning Sikoa’s time as a title contender has likely come to an end for the foreseeable future.
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