Why Roman Reigns’ Bloodline Storyline Isn’t Cutting It in WWE: The Fading Impact

Why Roman Reigns’ Bloodline Storyline Isn’t Cutting It in WWE: Three years ago, Roman Reigns’ Bloodline storyline was the most captivating in professional wrestling.

WWE has profited significantly from the protracted saga involving The Tribal Chief and his family. This is why the successful angle has remained a Friday night staple on SmackDown.

Since WrestleMania 39, it is difficult to deny that the act has been progressively becoming stale. That is not to say that fans are no longer invested or that it isn’t a proven draw, but even the most devoted viewers must acknowledge that the story has become somewhat repetitive.

Jimmy Uso betrayed his identical brother at SummerSlam and assisted Reigns in retaining the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. The majority of us did not anticipate this turn of events because the record-setting tag team has always been so close. In any case, it is well-established that Main Event Jey would never abandon his senior sibling.

This has been such a consistent aspect of Jimmy’s character trajectory that no one would suspect him of betrayal. Consequently, this new development likely did not go over well with many admirers.

This year, the plot has produced some outstanding cliffhangers. However, Jimmy’s performance paled in comparison to Jey’s victory over Reigns at Money in the Bank and Sami Zayn’s transformation at the Royal Rumble.

It was not another riveting episode of the most talked-about soap opera in the industry. Instead, this deviation appeared artificial and unnecessary. The conclusion was exasperating, but not in the way that was likely intended.

Yes, there is still more WWE can do with The Bloodline, but is it beginning to overstay its welcome as the company tries to prolong this narrative as much as possible? Why is this legendary plot beginning to lose its lustre?

Roman Reigns Defeated All Competitors That Mattered

The final moments of The Biggest Party of the Summer were divisive, but the majority of viewers would concur that Cody Rhodes appears to be next.

Following his defeat at WrestleMania, the 2023 victor of the men’s Royal Rumble unexpectedly engaged in three bouts with Brock Lesnar. Even though there was a random side quest in July to confront Dominik Mysterio, he remains incredibly popular.

In fact, the 38-year-old remains the roster’s most attractive player. How long can WWE realistically keep Rhodes out of contention for the undisputed universal championship?

This rather sizable elephant in the room made the conclusion of SummerSlam’s main event so exhausting. Last year, it was difficult to conceive that anyone could dethrone Reign because the company failed to develop credible rivals.

Cody Rhodes competes against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title during WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Inglewood, California.

This year, The Tribal Chief defeated the three finest candidates, Zayn, Rhodes, and Uso, in a comparable manner. There was a compelling cause for each of them to ultimately defeat him, but the Samoan athlete always prevailed with the assistance of The Bloodline.

It was not as devastating when his cousin suffered the same fate because the audience has previously witnessed this scenario. WWE made no effort to try something novel. It was just another hooded family member, and the conclusion was inevitable.

Most viewers believed that Zayn’s sacrifice would be worthwhile by the end of The American Nightmare. Then, some admirers began to consider that if Main Event Jey did the unthinkable, this reign of terror could end where it began.

Certainly, we can all anticipate that Rhodes will eventually receive a rematch. Still, the end of the tunnel appears so far away, and WWE has exhausted its audience with these squandered opportunities.

Too Much Decompression Without Sufficient Return

If Reigns does not face Rhodes again until WrestleMania 40, we will have to wait another year for a satisfying conclusion to this storyline.

It’s arguable that it’s not a terrible problem to have when The Bloodline continues to attract viewers and create memorable moments. SummerSlam’s main event was disappointing, however, because WWE did not reward its supporters for sticking with these characters.

Instead, it reversed the progress that The Usos had made since leaving the stable following Night of Champions. They eventually stood up to The Head of the Table and acknowledged that he required them more than they required him.

Jimmy initiated this uprising and encouraged his brother to join him. When he reappeared to assist The Tribal Chief again, it felt like a retread.

Yes, this situation has the potential to develop into a compelling sibling rivalry that will establish Jey as a likeable protagonist. Perhaps Reigns’ attempt to isolate himself has created a ruthless situation in which his subordinates will adopt his tactics in an attempt to usurp his position.

It would be ironic if his once-close-knit coterie became a free-for-all for the mantle they once guarded. However, this does not mitigate the diminishing returns from these tedious title defences and overused conclusions.

It is difficult to be patient when WWE releases new developments monthly. The Civil War angle rekindled the story’s interest. It appeared to be approaching a natural conclusion before hitting another roadblock.

Even worse, The Usos feud may continue while Reigns is once again off television. This trend was already apparent after every significant title match, and he is not advertised for the upcoming months of shows. During Tribal Combat, the 38-year-old reportedly sustained an injury as well.

The talented duo of Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa may be able to keep viewers intrigued in his absence, but the plot is becoming tediously slow.

Absence of Humour in the Face of Extreme Seriousness

The Honourable Uce excelled during The Tribal Chief’s absence from SmackDown last year. Zayn brought to the group so much that had been absent since January.

Moreover, the Syrian wrestler added much-needed humour to a performance that frequently takes itself too seriously. Because it made some of the pretentious melodrama more palatable, this has been the largest missing ingredient.

On the other hand, one could argue that this is the point of the narrative. The Bloodline fell victim to its own insecurities without Zayn. Reigns grew even more paranoid, and his mechanisations fueled his family’s desire for more authority.

In any case, the subtler approach to storytelling initially made this narrative so engaging. The adopted member’s levity lent the darker moment a great deal more weight.

When the crowd was chanting “Ucey,” ostentatious match titles such as “Tribal Combat” and “Bloodline Civil War” seemed less absurd. Prior to WWE overselling it to promote the next significant turning point, gravitas was already a well-established concept.

Justifiably, WWE fans will recall The Bloodline as the greatest storyline of this era, but all good things must come to an end. There is still time to execute a successful conclusion, but it appears that the company does not yet have one in mind.

Creatively, it seems unwise to forego two exceptional moments with Zayn and Rhodes in order to keep this going until it runs out of steam. This could all work out in the end, but the risk has revealed some foundational flaws.