Roman Reigns To Solo Sikoa: ‘I Acknowledge You’

SmackDown was live from Columbus, South Carolina, tonight at the Colonial Life Arena. The upcoming Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia has put a pause of sorts to the overall storyline, featuring Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes battling The Bloodline with The Rock in the backdrop, cooking up something he has thus refused to let us smell.

Cody is planted into a feud with the red brand’s champ Gunther, and tonight, Cody cut a promo to try to further promote that match by inviting Gunther to SmackDown next week. However, SmackDown has, for weeks now, showcased red and blue brand superstars—including Gunther and Cody at RAW the past couple of weeks. Not even Cody’s issues with Kevin Owens are penetrating the Crown Jewel ‘champ vs. champ’ match.

KO delivered a camera phone video recording in his car after spending much of his time this past week accusing WWE of silencing him. The video promo came almost immediately after Cody’s mid-show promo. It must be difficult for current creative to work around some of the amazing storylines they’ve created, only to be forced into catering to the money machine. K.O.’s comments were that of a disgruntled employee more than someone with a specific bone to pick with Cody, but he ended it by claiming he might not be back for a while. Orton said he wanted to fight K.O., who attacked “The Viper” last week when he tried to bridge the gap between K.O. and Cody. GM Nick Aldis claimed he ‘could not’ book that match, as it was out of his hands, suggesting other powers at play.

Jey Uso Confronts The Bloodline

The show opened with The Bloodline in the ring led by Solo Sikoa, and after getting his ‘acknowledgments,’ Jey Uso entered the chat to a ruckus ovation. Jey confronted ‘lil bro,’ something that Solo did not appreciate, and let him know that the Ula Fala was not something that could be taken but instead earned. In doing so, Jey believes that Solo’s attempts to lead have separated the family. Solo claimed that his actions were an attempt to unify the family, but with a united faction on one side and an IC champ with zero backup on the other, it feels like Solo’s plan is working but cannot succeed without an acknowledgment from one of the OG members.

Of course, The Rock could be pulling strings one way or another and putting together a strategy that guarantees his place atop the most dangerous faction their collective families have ever produced. But it was Jey’s last comments that were the most curious as he claimed the next time Solo sees him things would be different. It felt like that meant Jey was getting backup, but later, Jey made it clear to Roman Reigns, with Jimmy Uso at his six, that he was running Solo. Jimmy and Roman were shown later on camera talking about Jey. Jimmy said Roman should try to get him on board, but Roman said Jey made it clear where he stands.

Roman Reigns Acknowledges Solo?!

Roman Reigns said he would ‘acknowledge’ Solo in the night’s final segment. Obviously, it would not go down like that, but with commentary promoting next week’s SmackDown live from Brooklyn, it did feel like whatever happened tonight, the ending would be booked as a ‘to be continued.’ Reigns began by demanding his acknowledgment but admitted that it could be for the “last time.” Immediately after his declaration, Solo’s music hit, and he came out dressed for battle, contrasting Roman’s casual black ‘OTC’ hoodie with Air Jordan joggers.

Roman spoke first, claiming to have heard Solo saying that the family’s ‘bloodline is stronger now,’ to which Roman responded that the family was divided and broken. Roman tried to appeal to Solo by saying he ‘told his father he could fix this’ as he brought back The Bloodline to the promise land—a metaphor for fat checks and title belts. Solo finally responded by saying ‘it was not good enough.’ He wanted the acknowledgment of him being the Tribal Chief, and the crowd instantly made their feelings clear by chanting an emphatic “NO!” in unison.

Solo used the words “or else,” and Roman snapped back, “or what!” That is when Solo gestured to the back, and The Bloodline came out with a beaten and bloody Jimmy Uso. Solo tried to get the jump on Roman, but Roman managed to evade the attack. It was interesting that Roman got his hands on everyone, including Jacob Fatu, and though he could have hit the ‘Superman punch,’ he chose to land the clothesline instead—possibly saving the big moves for their eventual ‘big showdown.’

In the end, Reigns managed to get ahold of the Ula Fala, but the numbers game was (AGAIN) too much. The Bloodline gained control and took out Roman as Solo continued shouting about his place atop the family. The crowd chanted ‘Solo sucks’ as Jacob Fatu placed the Ula Fala over Solo’s neck shouting at a Reigns gasping for air. It was the same summer booking but more impactful with Roman in the mix. That said, it is clear that a recruitment campaign is necessary. Perhaps we see another family member brought in by Roman, as reports suggest, but we should not forget that there is a non-family member of the original Bloodline out there, too.