WATCH: Roman Reigns exchanges merchandise with top UFC star on WWE SmackDown
Roman Reigns' return to WWE pushed The Bloodline saga ahead on Friday Night SmackDown. This week's episode of the blue brand was live from Buffalo, New York, and hosted many athletes from different sports, including the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Alex Pereira. The MMA fighter was seen interacting with the Original Tribal Chief backstage, and the two exchanged merch.
Earlier this year, Roman Reigns made an earth-shattering return at SummerSlam and confronted Solo Sikoa. The Original Tribal Chief has made his presence felt since the return and feuding with The Bloodline on Friday Night SmackDown. However, Reigns is one of the biggest stars in the company, and talent from other sports is aware of him and his work in the Stamford-based promotion.
On the latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown, the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Alex Pereira, was in attendance. Later, a video was released showing the champion interacting with Roman Reigns, and the two stars exchanged their merchandise backstage. The footage was screengrabbed from Pereira's Instagram stories.
Check out the video below:
Roman Reigns reconciled with Sami Zayn on WWE SmackDown
Last year, Sami Zayn turned his back on The Bloodline after he refused to attack Kevin Owens with a steel chair at WWE Royal Rumble 2023. Instead, he attacked Reigns with the chair.
Following his exit from the faction, Zayn and Reigns feuded over the Undisputed WWE Title, where Reigns successfully defended the title Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber in Canada. After WrestleMania 39, the former Honorary Uso teamed up with Owens to defeat the OTC and Solo Sikoa in a tag team match in Saudi Arabia.
Following his return at SummerSlam, Reigns was outnumbered by The Bloodline. Jimmy Uso returned at Bad Blood to reunite with his cousin, and in recent weeks, Jey Uso also decided to team up with the OTC to put an end to Solo Sikoa's faction.
At the 2024 Crown Jewel, Zayn accidentally hit Reigns with a Hellvua Kick. On this week's RAW, Jey Uso invited his former stablemate to SmackDown and tried to hash it out with the Original Tribal Chief and Jimmy Uso.
In the closing moment of this week's SmackDown, Solo Sikoa preemptively announced that Zayn had joined him instead of Roman Reigns. However, the former Intercontinental Champion delivered a Helluva Kick to Solo and reunited with Reigns against Sikoa's Bloodline for Survivor Series: WarGames 2024 in Canada.