Also, I understand Jimmy and Roman didn’t fight each other but I want to see Jey and Roman fight again wayyyyyy more.

Wasn't Jey humbled into joining Reigns first, then a returning Jimmy was like " I ain't your bitch " in fact... I'm :



And Jimmy really was the first to challenge Roman's behaviour, particularly how he treated Jey.

May 14, 2023 1:56:54 GMT jTjohncenaGOAT said:

Roman and Solo are definitely losing because one of the USOs inadvertently Superkick one of them when Sami or KO move out of the way, right?

Or they win and make the Usos carry their belts to the ring.

Wrestling is going to feel empty when the Bloodline angle finishes. It’s all time great.

May 28, 2023 13:33:24 GMT @toddisdrunk said:

Wrestling is going to feel empty when the Bloodline angle finishes. It’s all time great.

Plenty of juice left to squeeze.

Jey is more conflicted than usual and will likely be challenged by Reigns to show his allegiance causing a rift in The Usos temporarily.

Jimmy is a loose canon, he first defied Reigns back at the beginning of the storyline. He was also then the first guy to 'turn' and accept Sami. Then when push came to shove, he 'turned' again helping beat down Sami and KO where Jey instead walked away in disgust.

Jimmy is arguably as selfish as Reigns. When things were good in The Bloodline, he was no longer "no bodies' bitch" becoming a loyal soldier and aided Reigns in some of those vicious beatdowns of Sami & KO. The second things went south and Reigns held him accountable (in the eyes of Roman) he turned again.

This next few months will break Jey.

May 29, 2023 1:58:48 GMT NATH45 said:

May 28, 2023 13:33:24 GMT @toddisdrunk said:

Wrestling is going to feel empty when the Bloodline angle finishes. It’s an all-time great.

Plenty of juice left to squeeze.

Jey is more conflicted than usual and will likely be challenged by Reigns to show his allegiance causing a rift in The Usos temporarily.

Jimmy is a loose cannon, he first defied Reigns back at the beginning of the storyline. He was also then the first guy to 'turn' and accept Sami. Then when push came to shove, he 'turned' again helping beat down Sami and KO where Jey instead walked away in disgust.

Jimmy is arguably as selfish as Reigns. When things were good in The Bloodline, he was no longer a "no-bodies' bitch" becoming a loyal soldier and aiding Reigns in some of those vicious beatdowns of Sami & KO. The second things went south and Reigns held him accountable (in the eyes of Roman) he turned again.

These next few months will break Jey.

You are correct NATH45 but at the end of the day, Roman sets the example for the family. Over the next few months, Roman needs to show culpability for his heavy-handed tactics. I'd like to picture just a little bit of a kinder & wiser tribal chief. Vowing to make Bloodline stronger than ever. Only to become drunk with power, desperate to keep the family together under his iron fist.

WWE dropped a 105 minute video of the collapse of the Bloodline. Just dropping it here for you'ins that want to watch.

You could argue that all this is actually a result of Sami's meddling - The Bloodline were getting along famously prior to Sami's involvement, The Usos were in the midst of an historic title reign, as was Roman. The Bloodline were firing on all cylinders.

An outsider watching WWE at one point in time, could have been convinced The Bloodline were the biggest babyfaces in the world due to the reaction they were getting ie; the fans reciting Heyman's lines, the "Acknowledge Me" line, Throwing up their 1s, etc.

Roman may have initially humbled The Usos, but they need discipline. Roman has also shown to be a very controlled and grounded tactician where abouts The Usos were dumb thugs prior to the formation of The Bloodline.

And despite on the surface it looking like all of this is about Reigns, he ran that interference leading to The Usos becoming The Undisputed Champions. In a kayfabe sense, the brothers became richer, more successful and more famous than at any other point in their career because of Roman Reigns.

Then Sami - who at the time was a despicable, greasy, little heel weaseled his way into the fold because he had nothing else going for him. He was a scumbag who leeched off The Bloodline out of desperation.

Sami was given the world in The Bloodline, made an honorary Uce, and given opportunities after opportunities.

It was then Sami overstepping his mark numerous times that resulted in tension with Reigns. He began calling shots and even began acting defiantly - to my point about Reigns being a controlled and grounded tactician. He's then asked to show the same loyalty hes been shown by The Bloodline and acts all conflicted, but it could easily be frustration with being held accountable. He then starts messing with The Usos heads and begins building a relationship up with KO, despite Kevin being The Bloodline's public enemy number 1. Reigns repeatedly tries to talk sense into Sami, and it's ignored. He's challenged numerous times and being the perpetual victim he was as a heel, Sami blames Roman and begins sabotaging The Bloodline, to the point Reigns takes an extreme cause of action by eventually handing Sami the chair and asking him to make a choice.

That's a compelling post NATH45. Roman Reigns is the clear villain in the story, but if you reframe it as you just did, it's hard to argue against. They were doing great before Sami came along. The only thing I can say in Sami's defense is that maybe Sami revealed the flaws in the Bloodline dynamic - I speak of Roman's tyranny and abusive behaviour - that would have, eventually, come out on their own. However it is true that Roman gave Sami far more than he perhaps deserved. Roman didn't have to accept Sami into the Bloodline the way he did.

As you say, he gave Sami the chair and asked him to smash KO as the ultimate test of loyalty. Sami argued it is a step too far - it's impossible to prove your loyalty enough to Roman as he will keep expecting and asking for more and more. Nothing is good enough for Roman Reigns.

Which brings me to Smackdown. Roman's entire Bloodline is under jeopardy because of Jimmy Uso's actions. What's the first thing Roman does? Turns to Jey, who he perceives to be the weaker of the twins, and asks him to kick Jimmy in the face. The same psychotic test of loyalty he offered Sammy. Roman is in Jey's head so much that Jey would do anything for Roman. Anything EXCEPT hurt Jimmy. Everyone knew that Jey wouldn't do it. I'm sure even Roman knew, but he was desperate. The only way he knows how to assert dominance is through power and fear. He is incapable of showing genuine love and respect, he only expresses false love as a way to manipulate or gaslight. Hence the hug to Jimmy, which turned out to be a facade, another power play.

It surprises me that Roman asking Jey to kick Jimmy wasn't the straw that broke the camel's back, as it was for Sami when Roman asked him to destroy KO. Jey is still Roman's lapdog, but his bond with Jimmy is unbreakable. That's the only thing that saves Jey from a lifetime of misery and servitude.

Jimmy stepping up and acting like a true benevolent leader. Roman doesn't understand that, so he resorts to brute force.

The one thing that confuses me is Solo's behaviour. Did Roman know that Solo was on his side even though he stood by the Usos? Was Jimmy physically shoving Reigns the trigger for Solo spiking Jimmy, or was he always going to do that? It's unclear. It reeks of that pro-wrestling "swerve for a sake of a swerve" that doesn't make much sense when you really think about it. The issue is Solo's loyalties and motivation are so well-hidden that it's impossible to say.

What I can say is that the Bloodline storyline remains the most compelling in all professional wrestling and we've just entered a new chapter. Possibly the final one.

This week's episode of 'The Bloodline' was fantastic stuff. Three big pops during that segment - Jimmy face-palming Reigns, The Hug and Solo attacking his Brother.

It's extraordinary stuff. Looking at how far these guys have come as performers. Once upon a time, Reigns was being criticised for his inability to promo and connect with the crowd and now he's on a different level. And who would have thought The Usos had range?

Fast forward 10 years from now, Roman Reigns is collecting 3 HOF rings - The Shield, The Bloodline and as an individual performer.

Jun 3, 2023 0:23:59 GMT jTjohncenaGOAT said:

WWE dropped a 105 minute video of the collapse of the Bloodline. Just dropping it here for you'ins that want to watch.

I've saved this to my bloodline playlist. Thanks friend.

Jun 3, 2023 0:23:59 GMT jTjohncenaGOAT said:

WWE dropped a 105 minute video of the collapse of the Bloodline. Just dropping it here for you'ins that want to watch.

I miss the days of DVD boxsets. There's so much here that they could produce an entire BTS documentary speaking to The Bloodline, Sami, KO, Heyman, Hunter and then an entirely kayfabe series following the fictional rise and fall of Roman Reigns' Bloodline.

It's extraordinary, of all the GOATs, no one has had a storyline that has been in play for 3 years.

I'm not sure who on PW keeps calling Roman Reigns a " God Tier " performer, but he ain't wrong.

I wonder how Roman's career would have progressed if he did the character work he's done for the past 3 years after The Shield broke up.

I don't think any of these guys were capable of this 8 or 9 years ago..

I actually don't think the WWE was capable of it then either. WWE for a long time saw a lot of incredibly short term angles in comparison to this. Then the pre-covid era, WWE became this weird circus of a show - characters were caricatures and nothing seemed to be reflective of any sort of reality.

This is a very reality driven storyline. And it's the perfect example of what fans have been asking for in terms of mature story telling.

---

To further the argument that Reigns is the hero.

What were The Usos doing pre-Bloodline?

They were alcoholics and being arrested for DUIs too often than not. These guys were in shambles before this kicked off... Roman Reigns saved The Usos from themselves and gave them purpose.

Emperor, I think when of the reasons that Solo did what he did was because he got tired of cleaning up The Usos messes. He negated Riddle's threat & they still lost the rematch. Solo is the silent assassin, the problem solver. He wants results, failure is not an option.

Solo is a trained attack dog - he doesn't know any different.

I think Solo is like Roman in the fact that he wants to win. He'll be hunting for gold soon.

He knows who butters his bread.

His drunk brothers didn't, and his father couldn't keep the heat on, so being angry and antisocial, he turned to fighting on the streets - hence the ' street champ ' moniker. And tjen was plucked out of a life of poor choices by the only caring man in the family, Uncle Joe, Roman Reigns.

This stuff writes itself.

Jun 5, 2023 21:55:35 GMT NATH45 said:

He knows who butters his bread.

His drunk brothers didn't, and his father couldn't keep the heat on, so being angry and antisocial, he turned to fighting on the streets - hence the ' street champ ' moniker. And then was plucked out of a life of poor choices by the only caring man in the family, Uncle Joe, Roman Reigns.

This stuff writes itself.

If Solo shares just a bit of this, we're off to the races!

2.9 million people tuned in at the end of Smackdown for the bloodline story. Incredible.

I love the visual of Jimmy sitting in the ring. He wasn't physically hurt as much as he was in shock. That was great.

Ok, the big question. Where does this storyline rank in terms of all time great storylines?

Bare with me here. 3 years ago, one person involved in this storyline was a main event talent. KO was debatable as whether he was a main event guy. Sami was a joke and The Usos were tag team specialists.

Today, any combination of The Usos, Roman, KO and Sami could main event any show - and they did, two nights of Wrestlemania. And by the end of it, Solo will likely be 'made' also.

Jun 9, 2023 0:59:47 GMT NATH45 said:

Ok, the big question. Where does this storyline rank in terms of all time great storylines?

Bare with me here. 3 years ago, one person involved in this storyline was a main event talent. KO was debatable as whether he was a main event guy. Sami was a joke and The Usos were tag team specialists.

Today, any combination of The Usos, Roman, KO and Sami could main event any show - and they did, two nights of Wrestlemania. And by the end of it, Solo will likely be 'made' also.

I'd put it in a close second right now.  Just behind the Hulk/Andre saga, but ahead of the Year of the Mega Powers.

Jun 9, 2023 0:59:47 GMT NATH45 said:

Ok, the big question. Where does this storyline rank in terms of all time great storylines?

Bare with me here. 3 years ago, one person involved in this storyline was a main event talent. KO was debatable as whether he was a main event guy. Sami was a joke and The Usos were tag team specialists.

Today, any combination of The Usos, Roman, KO and Sami could main event any show - and they did, two nights of Wrestlemania. And by the end of it, Solo will likely be 'made' also.

It’s edged its way into my all-time favorite story.

Someone needs to explain what happened on Smackdown because I'm not understanding something.

Roman convinces Jey that Jimmy doesn't have his best interests at heart since he disliked the Right Hand Man moniker.

Jey cuts this big promo against Jey, very convincing, then turns around and superkicks Roman.

Sure, The Usos are out of the Bloodline, but what does that mean for all that Jey was saying to Jimmy? Was it all bullshit to get Roman to drop his guard? It didn't seem like it, but I don't know how else to explain it. He never came close to verbally unloading on Roman like he did to Jimmy.

Going back a few years, Jey challenged Roman and was humbled. Like bent over and abused like humbled by Reigns - he went quickly from " Main Event " Jey Uso to being Roman's bitch. He took the " Right Hand Man " moniker after that as sort of a way to safe face.

Jimmy returned from DUI number 6 and was like " WTF Jey? Why are you acting like a bitch... this is Roman, our little cousin Uce! " and declared himself " Nobody's Bitch "

Jey was like " nah Uce, it's all good... I like being manipulated and treated like shit yo "

Roman then humbled Jimmy and he joined The Bloodline and alot of this was never mentioned again because The Usos went on a historic run.

This current chapter sort of loops all the way back to the start of the angle. Jimmy was initially defiant in the face of Roman, and likely saw through Roman and his manipulation of Jey. He never had Jey's best interest at heart if Jey's " best interests " were under the thumb of Roman.

Roman talking about grooming Jey was Roman's last ditch effort to split The Usos as he knew Jimmy was always the odd one out.