A looming absence in the New Era? 5 reasons why Solo Sikoa was right to take over The Bloodline
Solo Sikoa took over The Bloodline on the episode of SmackDown immediately following WrestleMania 40. The once-dominant faction lost two of the three matches where group members were involved.
Jimmy Uso lost to his twin brother, Jey Uso, while Roman Reigns dropped the Undisputed WWE Title to Cody Rhodes. Sikoa took matters into his own hands on SmackDown following the big show, excommunicating Jimmy and replacing him with Tama Tonga.
Solo's mutiny will ultimately lead to Roman Reigns' return as a face. The fans already chant "We Want Roman" whenever the new Tribal Chief is in the ring. While the coup has been shocking at times, Solo Sikoa could have been right to take the group over for the next five reasons.
#5. Losses matter, according to Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa
One big talking point from Paul Heyman on SmackDown after WrestleMania 40 was that losses matter. That meant Cody Rhodes gets the star treatment after beating Roman. He got the champion's locker room and the perks associated with being the top star.
During The Bloodline's in-ring segment, Solo reiterated that fact by kicking Jimmy Uso out of the group via a brutal assault from the debuting Tama Tonga.
Roman also lost, so things needed to change. If it was business as usual for The Bloodline after two high-profile losses, the group would look foolish strutting around after defeat.
#4. He pinned Cody Rhodes at Money in the Bank
Cody Rhodes has been one of Solo Sikoa's primary targets since he was the man to essentially set the big changes in motion. He's the new top dog on WWE SmackDown who defeated the former Tribal Chief.
Roman Reigns pinned The American Nightmare at WrestleMania 39, but not without help from The Bloodline and Sikoa. The new Tribal Chief is the first man to pin Rhodes since Rhodes won the Undisputed WWE Championship.
When bookers want a particular star to make a statement, they pin a top champ. Jey Uso pinned Reigns at last year's Money in the Bank, earning a title shot at SummerSlam. Solo pinning Cody this year will likely set up a title match at this year's SummerSlam event.
#3. No record-setting Roman Reigns title run without constant interference
WWE constantly touted the title run of Roman Reigns as 'dominant' and 'historic' due to holding the Universal Title for three years. They also claimed he did the same as the 'Undisputed Champion' but only held that honor for a year and a half.
Despite the length of his reign, almost all of his title matches involved outside interference from a member of The Bloodline. Solo Sikoa debuted by interfering in Roman's match against Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle in Cardiff.
The new Head of the Table can claim that without help from other allies, Roman wouldn't have lorded over the WWE as long as he did. It also adds more credence to the times Solo has said that Roman "lost our title."
#2. The glaring absence of The Tribal Chief
One of the most visible changes in the group has been the continued absence of Roman Reigns since losing the title at WrestleMania 40. Stars often take time off following long spells with a title, so it was expected.
His problem, however, is that his hiatus has come at a terrible time for The Bloodline. Not only has Jimmy been discarded but the new faction attacked The Wiseman.
Had Roman been around, that would not have happened. Since he isn't around, the mice are free to chew through whatever they want while the cat is away. An absent figurehead in any situation will sow seeds of doubt and a possible mutiny.
#1. The Bloodline needed to change in WWE's New Era
Multiple WWE officials declared that the company was in the midst of "a New Era" at WrestleMania 40. Both Stephanie McMahon and Triple H boasted that claim, stating that this year's show would be the first completely under the watch of Paul Levesque.
On the episodes of RAW and SmackDown after The Show of Shows, wrestlers and commentators mentioned the same. Several new champions were also crowned in Philadelphia.
With the company now stepping into a New Era, the same applied to The Bloodline. The group was fractured for months before WrestleMania and the event was the last straw before the group completely exploded.
Solo's actions since then have solidified the fact that both WWE and The Bloodline are indeed in a New Era of operation.