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As WWE prepares to embark on the highway to WrestleMania 41, its Superstars and storylines as soon as once more revolve round one man: Roman Reigns.
The Tribal Chief and the Bloodline Saga that he has been on the forefront of since 2020 stay the catalyst for each main storyline within the firm, whatever the model. Superstars from Uncooked and SmackDown have their very own private packages, however all of them have roots within the overarching Reigns-led story.
No matter whether or not Reigns holds championship gold, he stays the centerpiece of the WWE Universe. The excessive tide that raises all ships.
Justified Villains
Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens have grow to be unhealthy guys within the WWE narrative, however they’re really utterly justified of their emotions.
Each opposed Reigns and did their half to fight his tyrannical run as Undisputed WWE Common champion. They challenged him and stood alongside mates as they battled The Bloodline collectively, however they in the end didn’t unseat him.
Think about their dismay when The Tribal Chief was lastly defeated at WrestleMania 40, the facility he possessed from holding the championship gone. Cody Rhodes completed his story and saved WWE, carrying it into a brand new period, solely to look at The American Nightmare help Reigns in battling Solo Sikoa and the New Bloodline six months later.
Owens was proper to really feel betrayed, particularly after he stood by Rhodes’ aspect and waged conflict with Reigns and Co. main into the 2024 Showcase of the Immortals. He sacrificed himself, took years off his profession, and suffered vital losses, solely to look at somebody he trusted and befriended disregard it within the title of “doing what is true.”
McIntyre’s loss to Reigns modified him. It consumed him. As late as Monday’s Uncooked, he warned the world that The Tribal Chief, reunited with the ula fala, was slowly and slyly resuming energy in WWE whereas everybody the followers trusted was going out of their method to assist him.
Or, in Seth Rollins’ case, doing nothing in any respect to cease Reigns from buying energy.
And therein lies the genius of the artistic concerned on this overarching story.
First, Reigns doesn’t have to seem each week to be on the forefront of a number of ongoing storylines. Second, even top-tier feuds equivalent to McIntyre vs. Rollins, CM Punk, or Owens vs. Rhodes are satellite tv for pc feuds linked to the Bloodline Saga. The problems between these males might be traced instantly again to Reigns and the impact that man has on his fellow Superstars.
In a previous period, particulars didn’t matter. Tales have been one-dimensional, with the concept the viewers was too silly, ignorant, or unobservant sufficient to pay that a lot consideration. In the present day’s WWE options layered storylines which have ties again to earlier ones.
Each little factor issues, which has by no means been extra evident than with McIntyre and Owens. They’re desperately making an attempt to warn their friends that the identical man who made all of their lives a residing hell is about to regain energy as a result of they instantly assisted him.
Babyfaces With Ties to The OTC
Jey Uso grew to become his personal man after breaking free from Reigns however put aside his personal objectives to assist his cousin knock off Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Loa.
Sami Zayn broke freed from Reigns’ gaslighting and manipulation in 2023 however returned to serve beneath the Tribal Chief in time for Survivor Sequence: Struggle Video games, gleefully embracing his “Honorary Uce” title.
CM Punk made a take care of Paul Heyman for an as-of-yet unknown favor that Reigns owes him, however he nonetheless saddled up with The Head of the Desk to fight the New Bloodline.
Solely Jimmy Uso made sense as, outdoors of 1 momentary lapse, he by no means actually left Reigns’ aspect, a loyal soldier in his quest to rule over WWE.
Jey, Punk, and Zayn all nonetheless have ties to Reigns. Uso continues to hunt that defining win that says to the world that he’s greater than a tag crew wrestler and member of a well-known wrestling household. Punk has that favor that may cling over his path to WrestleMania 41 and, doubtlessly, longer till it’s revealed to the world.
Then there may be Zayn, who Rollins bluntly requested when he would cease being at Reigns’ beck and name and do issues for himself.
Talking of The Visionary, Rollins may be essentially the most fascinating character at play right here.
Sure, he took pictures in any respect three for serving to Reigns regain energy, however he has additionally managed to avoid Reigns and his enterprise. This, regardless of being crucial crusader within the battle towards The Bloodline, due to the impact he has mentally on The Tribal Chief. It was, in any case, Rollins who offered the distraction that allowed Rhodes to greatest Reigns at WrestleMania.
With mounting frustration over his feud with Punk, and a teased alliance with McIntyre, will Rollins grow to be too slowed down in different aspect quests to stay on the forefront of the story or will he as soon as once more emerge from all of it because the one man who can forestall Reigns from reclaiming his throne as the highest canine in WWE?
Then there may be The Rock and Paul Heyman to think about and the way intricately linked to Reigns they’re. Is The Closing Boss angling to take down Reigns and grow to be Tribal Chief himself or is their relationship nonetheless robust, with Rock a strong ally?
Is Heyman nonetheless the awe-inspired Smart Man or is he the grasp manipulator, advising Reigns and clearing his method again to the highest by convincing the identical males who led to his downfall to pledge their allegiance?
There aren’t any in need of 10 shifting items on this storyline, one many thought would finish with Reigns’ defeat at WrestleMania a yr in the past. As a substitute, it continues to captivate and engross followers, due to its capacity to evolve and adapt.
Reigns stays the centerpiece of the WWE Universe, its catalyst, but additionally the person whose star energy will not be reserved strictly for his personal success and fame, but additionally for individuals who work with him and are concerned on this epic Bloodline Saga.
It doesn’t matter if he’s a heel or babyface, champion or challenger. The Tribal Chief is the man in wrestling’s high promotion, whether or not he’s on any given episode of Uncooked or SmackDown or not. With an entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble, a match he has not received in a decade, that isn’t poised to vary anytime quickly.
Given the red-hot state of WWE and the standard of its storylines, that may be a good factor.
