The Bloodline WWE: The Rise & Dominance In WWE

The Bloodline, a villainous professional wrestling stable, actively competes in WWE on the SmackDown brand. Roman Reigns leads the team, alongside his real-life cousins Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa, members of the distinguished Anoa’i family. Paul Heyman manages them.

Jey Uso, Jimmy’s twin, was part of the group until June 2023. He then betrayed Reigns, resulting in a trade to the Raw brand in September. Before Jey’s departure, Jimmy briefly left but rejoined in September. Sami Zayn also became an honorary member from May 2022 to January 2023.

After a feud between Reigns and Jey in late 2020, the stable officially formed in July 2021. Jimmy joined post-injury, followed by Sikoa in September 2022. Reigns currently holds the title of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, having the longest reign for the Universal championship. He has adopted the nicknames “Tribal Chief” and “Head of the Table.”

The Usos, Reigns’ cousins, were the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions until their loss at WrestleMania 39. They held both the Raw and SmackDown tag titles, marking the longest reign in WWE history. Jey Uso triumphed in the 2021 André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Sikoa briefly captured the NXT North American Championship after joining The Bloodline.

The Bloodline WWE Bio/Wiki Table

The Bloodline WWE Background & Early Development

The roots of “The Bloodline” run deep, tracing back to the esteemed Anoa’i family’s long-standing relationship with manager Paul Heyman. This association began in 1988 when Heyman, then known as Paul E. Dangerously, managed The Samoan SWAT Team, which included Rikishi (Fatu at the time), Rosey (Big Matty Smalls), Samu, and Sam Fatu (The Samoan Savage). Years later, Heyman would introduce Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose as The Shield, serving as mercenaries for then-WWE Champion CM Punk in 2012.

Each member of “The Bloodline” has a rich history predating the formation of the stable. Roman Reigns, son of Sika Anoa’i, began his professional wrestling career in 2010 at WWE’s former developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), under the ring name Leakee. Following FCW’s transition to NXT in 2012, Reigns adopted his current name and had a brief tenure in NXT before moving to the main roster later that year. As part of The Shield, and later as a solo competitor, Reigns has secured multiple world championships since the group’s dissolution in 2014.

The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) and Solo Sikoa, sons of Rikishi, also have notable wrestling careers. The Usos debuted in 2009 in FCW, earning the FCW Tag Team Championships before transitioning to WWE’s main roster in 2010. Managed by Tamina Snuka, they have won numerous tag team championships. Their alliance with Sami Zayn began during a victorious six-man tag team match against The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) and Corey Graves on an April 2014 episode of NXT. Sikoa, the newest member of the family to enter the wrestling scene, made his debut in 2018 and signed with WWE in 2021. After a year in NXT, he was called up to the main roster in September 2022.

The Bloodline WWE History

The Usos’ Clash with The Shield (2013-2014)

In 2013, before aligning with Reigns, The Usos frequently clashed with The Shield, Reigns’ former stable with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. Their confrontations began on the May 6 episode of Raw, where The Usos and Kofi Kingston faced The Shield, resulting in The Shield’s victory. Subsequent matches saw The Shield maintaining dominance over The Usos, including a notable win for Reigns and Rollins on the May 17 episode of SmackDown. Despite these setbacks, The Usos achieved their first victory in a six-man tag team match on the June 28 episode of SmackDown.

The rivalry continued with mixed outcomes. Rollins defeated Jey in a singles match on the July 12 episode of SmackDown. At Money in the Bank, Reigns and Rollins again overcame The Usos, retaining the WWE Tag Team Championship. The teams’ feud saw various other WWE superstars, like Mark Henry, getting involved. Through 2013, both stables traded wins in various tag team combinations, often involving wrestlers like Daniel Bryan, Big E Langston, and CM Punk. Their last match occurred on January 3, 2014, on SmackDown, where The Usos and CM Punk emerged victorious.

Period of Occasional Collaborations (2015-2020)

After Reigns’ departure from The Shield, he occasionally joined forces with The Usos. Their first notable team-up was on the November 2, 2015, episode of Raw, where they, along with other superstars, triumphed in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination match. This collaboration extended to various matches, including the Tribute to the Troops event.

In 2016, The Usos became entangled in Reigns’ feud with AJ Styles, leading to a six-man tag team match on May 2, which Styles’ team won. This rivalry culminated at Extreme Rules, where The Usos were defeated in a Tornado tag team match but later assisted Reigns in retaining the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

In 2019, The Usos continued to support Reigns, notably against attacks from wrestlers like Elias and Shane McMahon. Despite their efforts, they often faced defeats in these encounters. In 2020, The Usos sported a new look and again came to Reigns’ aid against King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler. Their collaboration resulted in a victory on the January 31 episode of SmackDown, marking the end of their feud with Corbin and Ziggler. However, an injury to Jimmy at WrestleMania 36 put him out of action indefinitely.

The Emergence of The Bloodline (2020-2021)

Roman Reigns made a dramatic return to WWE at SummerSlam on August 23, 2020, after a five-month hiatus. His return was marked by a heel turn, his first since 2014, as he attacked both “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman. On the August 28 episode of SmackDown, Reigns revealed his alliance with Paul Heyman. At Payback, Reigns secured his second Universal Championship by defeating Wyatt and Strowman in a No Holds Barred triple threat match.

Jey Uso stepped into the spotlight on the September 4 episode of SmackDown, replacing an injured Big E in a fatal-four-way match. Jey earned his first singles championship opportunity by winning this match. At Clash of Champions, however, Jey lost to Reigns by technical knockout, with Jimmy throwing in a towel for him. Jey faced Reigns again in a “I Quit” match at Hell in a Cell, losing after a dramatic turn of events involving his brother Jimmy.

Jey Uso’s allegiance to Reigns strengthened after he qualified for Team SmackDown at Survivor Series, following his victory over Daniel Bryan. Post-match, at Reigns’ behest, Jey attacked Bryan, thus turning heel and aligning with Reigns. Jey’s prominence grew as he became known as Reigns’ “right-hand man” and received the moniker “Main Event Jey Uso”. His significant win in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the April 9 WrestleMania episode of SmackDown marked his first major singles accolade in WWE.

Jimmy Uso’s Return and Tensions within The Bloodline

Jimmy Uso returned from injury on the May 7 episode of SmackDown, openly critical of Jey’s alliance with Reigns. The Usos’ attempt to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship from The Mysterios ended controversially, leading to increased tensions between Jimmy and Reigns. This discord culminated in Jey temporarily leaving The Bloodline, with Reigns manipulating Jimmy into feeling guilty about their dissension. Jimmy eventually offered his support to Reigns, marking a tentative resolution of their conflict.

The Bloodline’s Reunion and Heel Solidification

On the July 9 episode of SmackDown, Jey returned, and both Usos solidified their alliance with Reigns. This act cemented their status as heels and marked the official formation of “The Bloodline” as a dominant force in WWE.

All champions (2021–2022)

The Bloodline showcased their strength on the July 16 episode of SmackDown, the first after WWE resumed touring post-COVID-19 pandemic. In a six-man tag team match, they triumphed over Edge and The Mysterios, despite Edge’s post-match attack. At Money in the Bank, The Usos clinched their fifth SmackDown Tag Team Championship by defeating The Mysterios in the Kickoff pre-show, while Roman Reigns defended his Universal Championship against Edge in the main event.

Their winning streak continued at SummerSlam, where The Usos successfully defended their titles against The Mysterios. Reigns also retained his Universal Championship, defeating John Cena in the main event. At Extreme Rules, The Usos overcame The Street Profits to retain their titles, and Reigns defeated “The Demon” Finn Bálor, maintaining his hold on the Universal Championship. Crown Jewel saw The Usos defeating The Hurt Business in the Kickoff pre-show, and Reigns triumphing over Brock Lesnar in the main event.

Challenges and Setbacks

The Survivor Series event brought mixed results for The Bloodline. While The Usos faced a defeat against RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle), Reigns secured a victory over WWE Champion Big E in the main event. December witnessed a dramatic twist when Reigns fired and attacked Paul Heyman, followed by Brock Lesnar’s intervention to save Heyman. Reigns’ positive COVID-19 test on January 1, 2022, led to his withdrawal from the WWE Day 1 pay-per-view, but The Usos continued to showcase their prowess, successfully defending their titles against The New Day.

WrestleMania 38 and Unification of Championships

WrestleMania 38 marked significant victories for The Bloodline. The Usos defended their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs, while Reigns achieved a monumental victory by defeating Brock Lesnar. This win allowed Reigns to unify the WWE Championship with the Universal Championship, crowning him the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. The Usos’ victory over RK-Bro on the May 20 episode of SmackDown further cemented The Bloodline’s dominance, as they became the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, making all members of the faction double champions.

The Inclusion of Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa (2022-2023)

In mid-2022, Sami Zayn began aligning himself with The Bloodline, initially struggling to fit in due to the group’s family-centric composition. However, his enthusiastic loyalty to Roman Reigns gradually won over the group, especially Jimmy Uso. On the September 23 episode of SmackDown, Zayn’s status as an honorary member was solidified when Reigns presented him with a “Honorary Uce” t-shirt.

SummerSlam and Clash at the Castle: The Bloodline’s Continued Dominance

At SummerSlam, The Usos successfully defended their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, while Reigns retained the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in a Last Man Standing match against Brock Lesnar. Clash at the Castle saw Reigns defending his title against Drew McIntyre, with the interference from Solo Sikoa, Reigns’ younger cousin and the Usos’ brother, marking Sikoa’s entry into The Bloodline.

Solo Sikoa’s Impact and The Bloodline’s Championship Reigns

Sikoa made an immediate impact by winning the NXT North American Championship on the September 13 episode of NXT, temporarily giving The Bloodline titles across all three brands. However, Sikoa had to vacate the title due to eligibility issues. At Crown Jewel, The Usos retained their titles against The Brawling Brutes, and Reigns maintained his championship against Logan Paul. Survivor Series: WarGames witnessed The Bloodline’s victory over The Brawling Brutes, Drew McIntyre, and Kevin Owens, with Zayn proving his loyalty to the group.

Feud with Kevin Owens and The Bloodline’s Raw Dominance

The Bloodline started a feud with Kevin Owens, who challenged Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble. Concurrently, The Bloodline wreaked havoc on Raw, leading to The Usos defending their Raw Tag Team Championship against The Judgment Day.

Sami Zayn’s “Tribal Court” and Raw is XXX

At Raw is XXX, Zayn faced a “Tribal Court” led by Reigns, with accusations of treachery. Despite Heyman’s prosecution, Zayn was passionately defended by Jey Uso and ultimately declared innocent by Reigns. Later that night, The Usos, with Zayn substituting for an injured Jimmy, successfully defended their Raw Tag Team Championships against The Judgment Day.

The Bloodline Civil War (2023-Present)

Reigns’ Royal Rumble Victory and The Bloodline’s Internal Conflict

At the Royal Rumble in 2023, Roman Reigns successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens. Post-match, the Bloodline brutally attacked Owens, handcuffing him and launching a group assault. In a shocking twist, Sami Zayn, urged by Reigns to hit Owens, turned on Reigns instead, marking his first face turn since 2017. This led to the Bloodline savagely attacking Zayn, while Jey Uso, conflicted and disgusted, walked away from the chaos.

Jey Uso’s Struggle and The Usos’ WrestleMania Defeat

During the Elimination Chamber, Jimmy Uso attempted to help Reigns in his title defense against Zayn. However, Jey Uso intervened, stopping Reigns from using a steel chair on Zayn. This action led to a series of events where Reigns ultimately retained his title. Later, on Raw, Jey emerged from the crowd during a match between Jimmy and Zayn, which Jimmy lost. In a surprising move, Jey superkicked Zayn, reaffirming his allegiance to The Bloodline. This action led to The Usos and Sikoa attacking Zayn, only to be thwarted by Cody Rhodes. At WrestleMania 39, The Usos lost their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships to Owens and Zayn.

Reigns’ Continued Dominance and Alliance with The Judgment Day

On Raw, Paul Heyman announced Reigns’ decision to form a temporary alliance with The Judgment Day. This episode also featured Sikoa defeating Rey Mysterio. Later, a brawl ensued between The Judgment Day, The Bloodline, Matt Riddle, Owens, Zayn, and the Latino World Order. The WWE Draft saw Reigns and Sikoa move to SmackDown, where The Usos failed to regain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. At Backlash, The Usos and Sikoa emerged victorious in a six-man tag team match, but tensions within the group escalated.

Escalating Tensions and The Bloodline’s Disintegration

On SmackDown, Owens and Zayn hosted Reigns and Sikoa on the KO Show, leading to an unexpected appearance by The Usos. Jimmy, asserting himself as the “Tribal Chief,” sparked a confrontation with Reigns. This tension led to The Bloodline attacking Owens and Zayn, with internal discord becoming evident. At Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, The Usos interfered in Reigns’ match, but Jimmy’s betrayal, prompted by Reigns’ disrespect, led to The Usos abandoning Reigns. Subsequently, on SmackDown, Sikoa sided with Reigns, leading to Jimmy’s expulsion from the group. The following episodes saw further turmoil, with Jey ultimately siding with Jimmy and exiting The Bloodline.

The Bloodline Civil War and Aftermath

The “Bloodline Civil War” at Money in the Bank marked a significant moment, with The Usos defeating Reigns and Sikoa. This match gave Reigns his first direct pinfall loss since December 2019. At SummerSlam, Jimmy’s actions suggested a turn against Jey, but he later clarified his intentions were to protect Jey from the corrupting influence of power. However, Jey, in a stunning move, superkicked Reigns, Sikoa, and Jimmy, declaring his departure from WWE. Jimmy returned to SmackDown with a new theme, while Jey moved to Raw at Payback, marking a new chapter for both wrestlers.

The Bloodline WWE Members

Roman Reigns

“The Bloodline” is a formidable professional wrestling faction in WWE, currently led by Roman Reigns. Reigns, a founding member, joined the group on July 9, 2021, and has since been a dominant force in the WWE, holding the title of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. His leadership and in-ring prowess have been instrumental in the group’s success.

Solo Sikoa

Solo Sikoa, a real-life cousin of Roman Reigns, joined “The Bloodline” on September 3, 2022. His addition to the team has added a new dynamic and further strengthened the familial ties within the group. Sikoa’s raw power and agility have made him a valuable asset to the team.

Paul Heyman

Paul Heyman, a seasoned wrestling manager, has been with “The Bloodline” since its inception on July 9, 2021. His strategic insights and experience in the wrestling industry have been crucial in guiding the group’s decisions and actions.

Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn was an honorary member of “The Bloodline,” joining the group on May 27, 2022. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he was expelled from the group on January 28, 2023, after attacking Reigns with a steel chair at Royal Rumble.

The Usos

The Usos, consisting of Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso, were founding members of “The Bloodline,” joining the group alongside Reigns on July 9, 2021. However, their association with the group ended in June 2023. Jimmy Uso was expelled from the group on June 2, 2023, for his actions against Reigns at Night of Champions. Jey Uso left the group on June 16, 2023, after rejecting Reigns and the opportunity to become the next Tribal Chief, choosing to side with Jimmy instead.

Championships and Accomplishments

CBS Sports Recognition

“The Bloodline” has been recognized by CBS Sports for their compelling storylines and intense rivalries. In 2020, the feud between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso was awarded the “Feud of the Year,” highlighting the emotional and physical intensity of their battles.

ESPN’s Best Storyline of the Year

In 2022, ESPN awarded “The Bloodline” and Sami Zayn the “Best Storyline of the Year.” This recognition underscores the captivating narratives and dramatic tension that the group has brought to WWE programming.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Accolades

Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) named “The Bloodline” the “Faction of the Year” in 2022, a testament to their dominance and influence in professional wrestling. PWI also recognized individual members of the group in their annual PWI 500 rankings. In 2022, Roman Reigns topped the list, while Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa were ranked 45th, 147th, and 401st respectively. The Usos were also ranked as the top tag team in the PWI Tag Team 100 in 2022.

Sports Illustrated’s Wrestler of the Year

Roman Reigns’ exceptional performances in 2021 earned him the title of “Wrestler of the Year” by Sports Illustrated. This award further solidifies Reigns’ status as one of the top performers in professional wrestling.

WWE Championships and Accomplishments

“The Bloodline” has achieved significant success in WWE, with members holding various championships. Roman Reigns is the current WWE Champion and WWE Universal Champion, showcasing his dominance in the ring. The Usos have held both the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship and the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship, demonstrating their exceptional teamwork. Solo Sikoa has held the NXT North American Championship, marking his rise in the wrestling industry. In 2021, Jey Uso won the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, further adding to the group’s list of accomplishments.

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