What Even Is A Tribal Combat Match?

The one constant throughout all three Tribal Combat matches is that there are no disqualifications or count-outs. That, alone, puts it in a category with countless other match types that are all effectively the same with different names. Hardcore, Street Fight, no DQ, unsanctioned. They're all framed as if they're different types of matches, but they're not.

Some things set Tribal Combat apart from those match types, if and when WWE remembers to mention them. For instance, it has been noted in the past that elder members of The Bloodline need to give their blessing before the match can take place. So far, only members of the Anoa'i family have competed in Tribal Combat.

The Forgotten No Interference Rule

The first Tribal Combat match was contested between Reigns and Jey Uso. The distinction between the match type and other no DQ-format rulesets was that other Bloodline members could not interfere. That was seemingly forgotten at some point between the bell ringing to start the match and end it, as both Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso got involved and impacted the result of the match.

In subsequent Tribal Combat matches, it has been suggested that those competing are fighting for the right to be at the head of the Anoa'i table. The winner will have the honor of wearing the ula fala, which you're picturing around Reigns' neck right now. In the second Tribal Combat match, the services of wiseman Paul Heyman were also on the line, although naturally that won't be a concern for Reigns and Fatu this weekend.

It seems like, heading into this third Tribal Combat match, that the rules are anything goes, elder members of The Bloodline need to give the match their blessing, and whoever wins will not only be World Champion, but also have the honor of wearing the Anoa'i family's ula fala. It's a shame that the stipulation about fellow family members being banned from ringside was quickly forgotten, as that was what really set the match type apart, but it seems there is no rule preventing the likes of Sikoa and The Usos from getting involved in Tribal Combat this Sunday.