Roman Reigns’ impact, Cody Rhodes’ new nightmare, Zilla Fatu crushes (2024)

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, The Bloodline — Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy and Jey Uso — split up, leading to a family civil war at Money in the Bank where the Usos triumphed over The Tribal Chief and his heir. Now, Solo Sikoa is the acting head of the table with a new Bloodline, seemingly on a collision course with the current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

This week’s Tribal Beat delves into that potential showdown, provides an update on rising star Zilla Fatu, and revisits a bold move by Roman Reigns that seemingly inspired Damian Priest at Clash at the Castle.

Cody Rhodes’ new nightmare

After defeating AJ Styles at Clash at the Castle to retain his Undisputed WWE Championship, Cody Rhodes had an unexpected confrontation with Solo Sikoa. The situation escalated quickly when Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa ambushed Rhodes. However, the odds soon evened out as Randy Orton and Kevin Owens rushed in to help the champ fend off The Bloodline.

However, this wasn’t the first gang-style assault by Sikoa and his allies over the weekend. Last Friday, after Sikoa triumphed over Owens on SmackDown, the Tongas attacked Owens, only for Orton to intervene and save the day. This sequence of events suggests a three-on-three showdown is brewing, although a fair fight seems unlikely.

Last week, reports surfaced that Hikuleo, brother of Tama Tonga and half-brother of Tonga Loa, is set to join WWE. Although his debut date is unknown, his potential participation in a six-man tag team match featuring the new Bloodline against Rhodes, Orton, and Owens could tip the scales in favor of the familial supergroup.

Should recent tensions lead to team warfare, the timing and location of this clash will be pivotal. WWE’s next premium live event, Money in the Bank, is less than a month away. It’s plausible that a six-man tag team match could headline the event, leaving Rhodes to face off with Sikoa at SummerSlam, WWE’s biggest event of the summer, in August.

Ultimately, the course of future events may hinge on the status of Roman Reigns, who is currently on sabbatical with no set return date.

Ain’t nobody realer than Zilla

Zilla Fatu, the son of Umaga, continues making significant strides in his wrestling career. Last Friday (June 14) at Game Changer Wrestling’s Lights Out, Fatu defeated Cole Radric in a thrilling match featuring broken doors and numerous false finishes. In the end, Fatu clinched the win with a unique twist on a family classic move.

The climax came when Radric, attempting a springboard attack off the bottom rope, was intercepted mid-air by Fatu. Showing off his impeccable timing, Fatu executed a Superman punch version of the Samoan Spike to seal the victory.

Fatu continued his winning streak on Saturday in GCW, emerging victorious in a triple-threat match against Bobby Flaco and Hunter Drake. In a dominant performance reminiscent of Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 37, Fatu overpowered his opponents before stacking and pinning them both. With four wins in his last five matches, Fatu aims to finish the weekend undefeated as he prepares to face 1 Called Manders on Sunday at GCW’s I Can’t Feel My Face.

Legacy of Legends: Roman Reigns suffers no fools

During the Clash at the Castle post-show press conference, World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest refused to answer questions until everyone in the media room stood up and recognized his status within WWE. His commanding move echoed a precedent set by Roman Reigns, the Tribal Chief.

After his victory on night one of this year’s WrestleMania, Roman Reigns, accompanied by his wise man Paul Heyman, faced the press with a surly demeanor. Reigns demanded that those gathered take a moment to acknowledge him. What came next was one of the most tense moments in the history of pro wrestling press conferences.

As Heyman stood in respect, a lady in the crowd booed. Reigns, reacting instantly, demanded that the heckler reveal herself.

“Who did that?” Reigns asked, his voice cutting through the room. A chuckle from an attendee slipped out as Reigns quickly identified the culprit and made it clear she was no longer welcome.

“Leave. I’m serious. The lady with the glasses, get her out. Get her out, or I’m leaving. Use your feet,” Reigns commanded.

Though her response was unclear, it appeared she attempted to bargain with Reigns, who remained steady. “Nope. You’re wasting our time, lady,” he replied.

By establishing a zero-tolerance policy for disrespect, Roman Reigns redefined the dynamic between WWE superstars and the media, a rule that Damian Priest benefitted from this weekend.