The sadistic structure claims a soul, a huge win with a bigger cost - 4 WWE stars who can be written off TV following Bad Blood
Two main possibilities exist for WWE heading into Bad Blood. The first is that some current angles will wrap up, including the heated rivalry between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk. Bayley and Nia Jax may end this chapter of their history so they can enter different feuds to end 2024.
The other factor is that Bad Blood will be the next important step to the climax of other feuds. The Bloodline angle is still going strong. Roman Reigns' return set in motion the eventual civil war that should take place at Survivor Series: WarGames.
With that event at the end of November, some stars could be written off TV before or after Bad Blood. The next four WWE performers fall into that category.
With the state of both women's divisions, WWE can't afford to write anyone off who's currently healthy. Too many big names - Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Dakota Kai - are out of action for various reasons.
#4. The Street Profits have tried to regain gold
Over the last two months, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins have been right in the thick of the tag team title chase. The Bloodline hasn't budged, even following the Profits to NXT.
Along with DIY, the Street Profits will face Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa in a ladder match on SmackDown. A swap in a ladder match would protect the champs by not getting pinned. Even with that fact, it feels like the Bloodline will win.
During the match, Dawkins and Ford could get wiped out by Solo Sikoa's minions. The brutality of a ladder match and the constant struggle to win gold could be a way to let them take time off and tweak their gimmick.
#3. Kevin Owens has been in neutral for months
Kevin Owens' current deal expires in early 2025. Unless he's re-signed, and it hasn't been reported, the Bloodline could brutally attack The Prizefighter to keep him off screens until the situation is resolved.
WWE booked Bron Breakker to destroy Ricochet when it became apparent he wasn't inking a new deal. Owens' heel turn was teased when he faced Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
It was intensified once The American Nightmare agreed to team up with The Tribal Chief against Solo Sikoa. If the creative teams pull the trigger, he could interfere in the big tag team contest at Bad Blood.
Owens could attack Reigns or Rhodes and then walk off at Bad Blood. He could also get obliterated again by the Bloodline if he comes to help The American Nightmare.
#2. Drew McIntyre may regret his actions after Bad Blood
Bad Blood hosts the third - and possibly final - showdown in one of the best feuds in wrestling today. CM Punk and Drew McIntyre will try to settle the score inside Hell in a Cell.
Their rivalry is ideally suited for the sadistic structure, canceling the need for an entire PLE of Hell in a Cell. McIntyre won at SummerSlam, while Punk claimed victory in a Strap Match.
Since Punk called his shot at Gunther before The Scottish Warrior blindsided him, he'll probably walk out of Atlanta beaten but victorious. For that reason, McIntyre could be off TV for a few weeks or even a month to sell the devastation of their Hell in a Cell clash.
#1. Roman Reigns may disappear until WarGames
On the surface, it's hard to nail down a slam-dunk finish in the tag team match between the Bloodline and the tandem of Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. WWE rarely lets Reigns lose, and Rhodes is the current top star in the company.
Solo Sikoa already pinned Cody Rhodes at Money in the Bank and doesn't need another reason for a title shot. They could clash, leaving a small opening for Fatu or Sikoa to swoop in and steal a victory.
On paper, Fatu and Solo have low odds of winning. However, to get to the WarGames match, something big needs to go down at Bad Blood. The Tribal Chief and Rhodes can pick up the win but then suffer a massive beatdown after the match.
It would provide a reason for why Reigns suddenly disappears yet again after only coming back at SummerSlam. He can then re-emerge during the build-up to WarGames.