4 Downfalls of WWE continually extending the Bloodline angle
For the last four years, WWE has been dominated by the Bloodline angle. Roman Reigns shockingly returned at Payback in 2020 to squash Braun Strowman and The Fiend, Bray Wyatt, and win the Universal Championship.
He embarked on a lengthy reign that was more defined by the time he held the belt than by dominant performances. The Usos and Solo Sikoa helped him win most of his victories.
Through all those matches, segments, and promos, WWE keeps chugging along with the Anoa'i family drama. It's still a hot commodity but how long will it keep going? WWE may experience the following four downfalls by milking the Bloodline angle dry.
#4. Battling the same opponents
When Roman Reigns was absent from SmackDown - and that was most of the year - Solo Sikoa and his allies took their frustrations out on the blue brand's roster and always lost to Sikoa's onslaught.
It was all for a Bloodline vs. Bloodline WarGames match and several showdowns between members. A large portion of fans loved everything about it, but the entire angle felt like filler until Roman Reigns decided to come back.
He eventually returned to SummerSlam but continued making sporadic appearances. The two groups had already faced off at WarGames. Reigns regained Tribal Chief status on RAW on Netflix.
While the angle has been great at points, the feud only helps members of the Bloodline. It also lessens the appeal each time the two sides square off.
#3. The Bloodline angle takes up a lot of time on both shows
Judging from how much the Bloodline has shown up on both shows, casual fans would think that roster members appear on both RAW and SmackDown. In reality, there are supposed to be two rosters specific to each brand.
WWE cited the "transfer window" as a reason why stars appeared on both brands. This was after allowing all teams involved in WarGames to appear each week on both major programs.
The two-hour format eliminated a massive opportunity for stars struggling to get on screen. Going back to three hours should have helped those stars, but that wasn't the case on the first SmackDown and RAW of 2025.
New United States Champ Shinsuke Nakamura wasn't featured regularly until last week's show went to the three-hour format.
#2. Constantly adding members will water down the angle like the nWo
Excluding Paul Heyman, both Bloodline groups had four to five members at their peak. It felt like Hikuleo or Lance Anoa'i would be next, but Bronson Reed filled out Sikoa's team for WarGames.
With two members waiting in the wings, WWE risks watering down one or both sides of the Bloodline like the nWo.
When the iconic faction had fewer than six members, it was at its best. However, once Vincent, Scott Norton, and half the WCW roster joined, the group became watered down.
That eventually led to the group being fractured into the black-and-white faction and the cool kids club, the Wolfpac. If the angle continues beyond WrestleMania 41, WWE risks repeating the history of the nWo.
#1. Can Solo Sikoa prosper outside of the family drama?
While he operated alone in NXT, Solo Sikoa has only known association with the Bloodline since his debut in the summer of 2022. He's played his part well and has stepped up in the civil war to carry the brand when the other side's leader is absent.
That may help introduce him to fans, but what awaits The Tribal Heir after the angle finally ends? The story has been ongoing since the latter half of 2020 and has already climaxed with Reigns's loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.
There are still chapters that can be explored, but what happens to Solo now that he's no longer a Tribal Chief? Do they run another breakup angle with Jacob Fatu turning on him? Does that make him turn tail and acknowledge his cousin?
Those are plausible directions, but how will SIkoa get over in angles unrelated to his family? Seth Rollins, Reigns, and Dean Ambrose were wildly successful when they left the group that introduced them to the WWE Universe. Solo may not be so lucky, but only time will tell.
