I don’t know why I thought Jacob Fatu would put up a little more of a fight during the Tribal Chief acknowledgement ceremony that opened the show, but, sadly, he didn’t, and he quickly fell in line, in an angle that really didn’t have much else going on throughout the rest of the show. From what I’ve seen on various forms of social media over the last 24 hours, as well, I don’t think I’m the only one who is tired of, and kind of confused by, the fact that WWE is running a lot of the old Bloodline story back. I suppose it all boils down to the fact that WWE is creatively bankrupt and there is just nothing interesting going on at the moment.

Sure, it worked, but the angle ended in 2024 when Cody Rhodes finished his story. I think live crowds have Paul Levesque, and whoever else has a say in creative at this point, probably the powers that be in TKO, as well, that it will work all over again. This is what I was worried about when Roman Reigns won the World Heavyweight Championship and recruited the Usos to be back by his side. Now, we’re going right back to someone begrudgingly, a la 2021, I believe, joining the Bloodline in Fatu, and even after five or so years, it still just seems too soon to replay it.

Fatu also wasn’t a factor in the rest of the episode, and he was noticeably missing from a backstage segment with Reigns, Jimmy, and Jey Uso. I figured that his joining and acknowledging Reigns meant that he’d be around for everything, even if that just involves him scowling in the background.

Reigns also rehashed another angle, a more recent one, telling Jey Uso he needs to go off on his own, win King of the Ring, and take Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship. While I don’t think he’ll win, if there’s one thing we don’t need right now, it’s another Jey run at a top title. When he loses, Reigns’ disappointment in him is also going to feel like an old beat, as will a potential sibling rivalry with Jimmy.

The one thing I can say, for now at least, but it probably won’t last too long, is that Solo Sikoa and the MFTs weren’t involved with Reigns tonight, after appearing in the crowd to end Clash in Italy. We’re headed toward some kind of Bloodline vs. MFT/the former “New Bloodline” story, and I just want no part in it. I want something different, and honestly, it feels like Fatu as World Heavyweight Champion was the only shot that some of us grumpy fans had for that.

Written by Daisy Ruth