Tag: Jey Uso

WWE SummerSlam 2023 betting odds: Jey Uso a longshot in Tribal Combat

Jey Uso may not want to check out the WWE SummerSlam betting odds.

The Bloodline saga has upped the ante on its stakes, with Tribal Combat invoked and both the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and the role of the Tribal Chief on the line at WWE SummerSlam in Detroit. Just don’t expect to find too many people who believe those prizes will change hands.

That’s the message from the betting lines at places that post them less than two weeks out from SummerSlam. Betfair has Roman Reigns as a heavy favorite to retain both his treasures when he battles cousin Jey Uso: to the tune of -770 U.S.-style odds for Reigns right now.

Things are much less certain for World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, who is sitting at just -120 for his rematch with Finn Balor. The sportsbooks are also taking into account the idea that Damian Priest may cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase during their bout, though they see him as a big longshot to do that and win the title.

As always, we don’t endorse wagering on pro wrestling since someone already knows the outcomes of matches and there’s no way to guarantee there’s no inside information leaked. That said, the betting odds are fun to examine for insight into the zeitgeist, to see what the masses think will happen.

We’ll add more lines to this post as matches continue to be made official, but here’s where things sit right now, with lines converted into U.S.-style odds.

(Latest update: July 25, 2023, 2:10 p.m. ET)

WWE SummerSlam 2023 betting odds:

Tribal Combat for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and the position of Tribal Chief
  • Roman Reigns (c): -770
  • Jey Uso: +350
WWE World Heavyweight Championship match
  • Seth Rollins (c): -120
  • Finn Balor: +100
  • Damian Priest (via MITB cash-in, DURING the match only): +550
WWE Women’s Championship match
  • Asuka (c): -225
  • Bianca Belair: +350
  • Charlotte Flair: +350
  • IYO SKY (via MITB cash-in, DURING the match only): +450
WWE Intercontinental Championship match
  • Gunther (c): -250
  • Drew McIntyre: +175
Rhodes vs. Lesnar III
  • Cody Rhodes: -400
  • Brock Lesnar: +225
Singles match
  • Shayna Baszler: -300
  • Ronda Rousey: +200
Singles match
  • Logan Paul: -400
  • Ricochet: +225

Tribal Combat at SummerSlam is the biggest WWE match of the year so far

Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso in Tribal Combat at SummerSlam will be hard for WWE to top in 2023.

In a perfect wrestling world, the biggest possible match WWE can produce takes place at the promotion’s biggest show, WrestleMania.

Heading into this year’s WrestleMania, Roman Reigns versus Cody Rhodes felt every bit of that. The big hook was Rhodes looking to finish the story of capturing the one title that has eluded his family, with an unstoppable champion standing in his way.

But heading into SummerSlam, Rhodes’ story remains unfinished, as he lost to Reigns at WrestleMania, albeit in controversial fashion. I, along with many others, assumed that Rhodes would get another chance to vanquish Reigns at SummerSlam, the event WWE promotes as its second-biggest show (although you could make the case that distinction actually belongs to the Royal Rumble).

Rhodes versus Reigns would have been a fine main event for the summer extravaganza. However, WWE is offering fans something even better: TRIBAL COMBAT! 

On the July 21 edition of Smackdown, Jey Uso ripped up the contract he was supposed to sign to make his Undisputed WWE Universal title match against Reigns at SummerSlam official. Instead, he went to the elders of the Anoa’i family and asked for permission to challenge Reigns to Tribal Combat. No, not Mortal Kombat, which has another edition of its long-running series set to release in September. Tribal Combat.

What is Tribal Combat? We don’t fully know. Judging by the concern that washed over Reigns’ face after Jey Uso laid down the challenge, it is a brutal family affair, except without the hideous shirts you typically see at family reunions.

What we do know is that the elders approved Jey Uso’s request and we will see Tribal Combat in the main event of SummerSlam. No legal documents are needed when the Anoa’i family elders sign off, apparently. 

We also know that “anything goes,” according to Jey Uso, and that Reigns is putting not only his titles on the line, but his status as Tribal Chief as well.

Between the story, the talent in the ring, the stipulation, and what’s at stake, we have the ingredients that make up the most anticipated match WWE has promoted all year — and it will be extremely difficult to top during the last quarter of 2023.

On the surface, Tribal Combat sounds a little absurd. But because the story has been so well done leading up to this point, the fans don’t even care. They have already bought in. Actually, they have leaned in — all the way in — and they have been doing so for three years now. So much so that fans are having fun just talking about what outfits they are going to wear to Tribal Combat.

For those wondering, I plan on being hella fresh come August 5.

Fans don’t typically pick out their attire for one match. For an entire show like WrestleMania or SummerSlam? Sure. But for one match? That is not a common occurrence.

But neither are the immaculate vibes surrounding just one match. Regardless of what else happens at SummerSlam, one thing wrestling fans can almost certainly count on is that Tribal Combat will deliver in a variety of ways.

It should make a fun night in Detroit.

WWE SmackDown results, live blog 07/21/23: Jey, Roman invoke Tribal Combat at SummerSlam

And it wasn’t LA Knight who won the Fatal 4-Way in Orlando either.

It’s getting real for The Bloodline now. Not that it wasn’t before, mind you, what with the group fracturing right down the middle and The Usos superkicking their Tribal Chief and all. But now Roman Reigns and Jey Uso are on a collision course that leads to SummerSlam in Detroit, and a big step toward that match will take place tonight on WWE SmackDown in Orlando.

At least it seems big that the segment is being promoted as a discussion about the “Rules of Engagement” for SummerSlam. What we do know is that Roman and Jey will be in the ring together, and when that’s happened recently, every time it’s happened, things have gone sideways. We’d expect nothing different on SmackDown.

Elsewhere, a number of men have their eyes on Austin Theory and his United States Championship. How to sort out the line of contenders? WWE is doing it by having a Fatal 4-Way tonight it’s calling a United States Championship Invitational. The winner will face Santos Escobar, who already won on of these. And then that winner will take on Theory (presumably at SummerSlam).

Who’s in this Invitational? That’s a very logical next question, so kudos. Rey Mysterio, Sheamus and Cameron Grimes are all involved. But the man everyone has their eyes on is the guy who makes you go “Yeah!”, the Megastar, LA Knight. Can he (finally) break through and get closer to a title shot?

We’re looking forward to what should be a good show as we draw ever closer to SummerSlam. Let’s get to FS1 and see what’s on tap.

WWE SmackDown results from Orlando:

Rey Mysterio def. Sheamus, Cameron Grimes and LA Knight by pinning Grimes in a United States Championship Invitational Fatal 4-Way

Knight is the only one who gets a microphone on his way in, though Austin Theory is ringside and scoffs at his assertion that he’ll be coming for the U.S. title.

Mysterio and Sheamus, both good guys, try to stay respectful with each other but also are definitely willing to set aside to try to win.

Grimes gets a showcase spot where he’s dishing out punishment to all three of his foes, but Sheamus eventually puts a stop to that. All four men end up in the same corner for a four-man powerbomb/superplex/whatever else Tower of Doom spot.

You just know Theory is going to take exception to something, and he does when the fight comes close to his spot near the announce table. Sheamus rallies the crowd behind him but Knight is ready for him and may have won it if not for Mysterio.

Rey looks like he might win but gets hauled out of the ring by Theory … who in turn gets rushed by Escobar, and they brawl toward the back.

Signature moves are flowing in the ring, and Mysterio is the one who takes advantage by pinning Grimes, meaning he’ll now advance to fight his own teammate for the title shot next week.

The Cavinder Twins are in the house. Waving, it appears.

Theory is upset and makes it clear to Adam Pearce that he wants Escobar in a singles match tonight. Scrap Daddy says he’ll make it happen.

A Raw recap package shows the latest brawl between Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar earlier this week, which ended with Lesnar accepting a third match at SummerSlam.

Charlotte Flair def. IYO SKY by pinfall

Bayley joins the announcers for this one, meaning Michael Cole is now being ganged up on by her and Wade Barrett. Their bickering and discussion of the Money in the Bank briefcase is sort of distracting from a pretty fun match, but hey.

Also Cole is harassing Bayley about how Damage CTRL has been treating Shotzi. Meanwhile SKY is working over Flair’s left knee, but takes a series of chops in return. With IYO in trouble on the top turnbuckle, Bayley provides a distraction that nearly helps her teammate win.

Then a somewhat disturbing Shotzi video plays on the big screen, which has Bayley shook. She takes off, missing both women miss their moonsaults and going back and forth with potential pins and counters.

Flair hits a spear but finds it’s not enough to win it. After another sequence where both women have chances to pin the other, Flair hits Natural Selection and finally gets the three. But Asuka arrives and quickly attacks The Queen, leaving her right arm in a world of hurt.

Kayla Braxton asks Dominik Mysterio what he’s doing hanging around SmackDown, and it seems to be mostly to rub his title win in his father’s face. Butch shows up and challenges him to a title match, and when Dom tries to use the excuse that there’s no one here from NXT to make it official, Shawn Michaels arrives and says he’s going to see Pearce to do just that.

Roman Reigns is in quiet contemplation in his dressing room, and neither Solo Sikoa nor Paul Heyman are disturbing it by talking.

Bayley finds her luggage has a picture of her with scissors stabbed through it, and that only makes her more frazzled and determined to leave the arena.

Santos Escobar def. Austin Theory by pinfall

Theory fires out of the gates but finds Escobar has answers for pretty much everything he can dream up. He calls for a timeout as the show breaks for commercials.

That timeout seems to have done the U.S. champ well, as he scores a two count with a nice looking dropkick. A tope suicida makes for a good response by Escobar, knocking Theory on top of the announce table.

A big left hand and a brainbuster nearly put Escobar away, but he kicks out to continue the match. Theory wants A-Town Down but gets caught with a dropkick, and the two men fight up on top of the turnbuckles. Escobar escapes a superplex and turns it into a hurricanrana; he hits a running knee, then the Phantom Driver, to pick up a big win.

Bobby Lashley is on hand again, and he says he’s glad he ran into Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams.

Hmm …

Dominik Mysterio def. Butch by pinfall to retain the NXT North American Championship

If Dominik had to fight truly alone, he’d probably be in big trouble here. But he’s not, as Rhea Ripley is close at hand.

Rhea slips Dom a chain and then distracts the ref, but Ridge Holland arrives to make sure he never uses it. Pretty Deadly comes to the ringside area as well, even with Elton Prince in a wheelchair.

Holland finally runs them off (Prince’s legs seem fine), but the chaos allows Ripley to intervene in the action again, chop blocking Butch on the apron, and Mysterio gladly accepts that help and gets the pinfall.

Jey Uso waits in the ring for the arrival of Reigns, flanked as usual by Sikoa and Heyman. There’s a table set up in the manner of a contract signing, but there’s no moderator — and no Jimmy Uso, as the announcers are quick to point out.

As they take their seats, Roma condescendingly asks Jey if he still wants to do this, but he says his does. “You’re just a soldier, man — a pawn in this game,” Reigns says dismissively even as the fans start an Usos chant.

Jey slams the contract down and says they don’t need it, because “this is tribal combat now.” That means no rules, apparently, and that he’ll use any weapons needed.

Reigns says he’s ready to fight now, while Jey reminds him again it’s tribal combat. Are they … fighting for leadership? While we ponder, Solo tries to spike Jey, but Roman stops him and Jey sends him out of the ring with a superkick. Reigns slowly backs out as well, but the battle lines have been drawn for SummerSlam.

WWE SmackDown preview 07/21/23: Roman, Jey talk Rules of Engagement

Also, a Fatal 4-Way on WWE SmackDown in Orlando might (finally) be the path to gold for LA Knight.

Roman Reigns and Jey Uso know they’re going to meet in a battle of family members at SummerSlam. They just need to discuss some details first, and they’re going to do that tonight on WWE SmackDown from Orlando.

WWE is hyping the latest chapter in the long-running Bloodline saga even more by calling the segment for tonight’s show a chance to set Rules of Engagement for SummerSlam, which makes it sound like they are fighting an actual war. We’ll see what this actually entails, but it could be as simple as setting some stipulations or something more grandiose than that. Hopefully it’s the latter, but given how this storyline has gone, fans should eat it up regardless.

The other big selling point for tonight’s show is the first of two Fatal 4-Ways that will get us on step closer to finding a No. 1 contender for Austin Theory and the United States Championship. The winner will take on the winner of another 4-Way in what’s essentially a mini tournament.

In any case, tonight’s match features a good mix of longtime hands like Rey Mysterio and Sheamus with relatively newer faces such as Cameron Grimes and LA Knight. It feels like every week might be the one where WWE decides to capitalize on Knight’s incredible rapport with the fans, so maybe this will be it. Possibly.

There’s going to be more, for sure, but that’s all WWE has officially revealed for Orlando. We’ll be tuning in tonight on FOX at 8 p.m. ET to watch, and we invite you to join us here on Wrestling Junkie for live updates during the show.

 

Updated WWE SummerSlam 2023 card: Two rematches announced

The first two matches announced for the WWE SummerSlam 2023 card are rematches of running feuds.

WWE will host SummerSlam 2023, its next premium live event, on Saturday, Aug. 5 at Ford Field in Detroit. This event will be WWE’s biggest summer party, featuring a full match card of title bouts and feuds reaching their respective climaxes.

Monday night, after weeks of buildup, Brock Lesnar accepted Cody Rhodes‘ challenge for a match, making the first official bout of the SummerSlam card.

Rhodes had demanded a third match from Lesnar, who responded by suckering the American Nightmare into an attack with a steel chair. The Beast Incarnate then proceeded to deliver a massive beatdown in front of Rhodes’ family before finally accepting the challenge for SummerSlam.

Additionally, Ronda Rousey challenged Shayna Baszler to a SummerSlam match when she appeared in the crowd in Atlanta to call out her former friend. Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, it looks like the match will take place.

As for title matches, a Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins rematch for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship will take place after their face-to-face on Raw. Given these two just faced off at Money in the Bank, perhaps a stipulation comes into play as SummerSlam nears. Otherwise, Damian Priest’s Money in the Bank contract looms large over this.

Although it has not been officially accepted yet, Jey Uso has posed a challenge to Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship. This match has been building for months, if not years, since Sami Zayn’s defection and The Usos’ departure in 2023. To add fuel to the fire, Reigns attacked Jimmy Uso on SmackDown, making it almost certain that Jey vs. Reigns will headline SummerSlam to settle the score.

We’ll update this post if more matches are made official. For now, here’s what has been revealed for Ford Field next month.

Last update: July 21, 2023, 11:25 p.m. ET

WWE SummerSlam 2023 card:

  • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jey Uso – Tribal Combat match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and the title of Tribal Chief
  • Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn Balor – WWE World Heavyweight Championship match
  • Asuka (c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair – Triple Threat match for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE SmackDown results 07/14/23: Jey Uso stands tall, Asuka barely escapes

The WWE Women’s Championship match ended in hijinks in Raleigh, likely surprising no one.

Sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind, go for it and worry about the consequences later. That’s what Jey Uso did last week on WWE SmackDown, getting some revenge for what happened to his brother Jimmy with the help of a steel chair.

The problem is the consequences might only be coming tonight in Raleigh. Jey naming himself the “judge, jury and executioner” made for a tasty sound bite, but surely Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa won’t be cool with him feeling like he’s got the upper hand. The world will be watching considering the Bloodline drama remains the biggest attraction on WWE TV at the moment.

The women’s division should have stakes just as high if not higher tonight. Asuka is ready to put her WWE Women’s Championship on the line against Bianca Belair after the latter worked for weeks for a chance to get a shot at the title again,

Will the two women actually be able to settle things just among themselves, though? That’s far from certain, what with IYO SKY poised to potentially cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase without warning and Charlotte Flair also waiting in the wings for her own title match. Expect fireworks, and potential hijinks as well.

We’ll also see Sheamus and Ridge Holland look for some payback against Pretty Deadly. And there’s a Fatal 4-Way scheduled that will lead the winner to be one match away from a United States Championship bout.

We’re set to dive in for all the action.

WWE SmackDown results from Raleigh:

Jey Uso is shown walking backstage as Michael Cole describes him as being “on the warpath.”

Bianca Belair hits the ring ahead of her title match and gets a very warm reaction from the fans in Raleigh. Though she knows people say patience is a virtue, Bianca reminds us how long she’s been waiting and all the hoops she’s had to jump through to get what should have been hers all along.

She promises to give Asuka exactly what she deserves but is interrupted to absolutely no one’s surprise by Charlotte Flair. The Queen says she believes Belair will win tonight and makes it very clear she’s first in line. If Belair does indeed win, it’s on for SummerSlam.

Sheamus gives his Brawling Brutes teammates a pep talk since all of them have big things going on tonight. Speaking of which …

Pretty Deadly def. Sheamus and Ridge Holland by pinfall

A strong start for the Brutes includes tandem 10 Beats of the Bodhran that actually goes well past 10. Things change during a commercial break, however, as Pretty Deadly is able to smother Sheamus with the help of some quick tags. Interestingly, Holland is portrayed as the one Pretty Deadly wants no part of.

Holland does his best to live up to that billing, suplexing one of his foes into the other. Sheamus also goes off the top rope to the floor, something you don’t see every day.

Alas, it doesn’t help, as an exposed steel turnbuckle proves to be enough to knock Ridge woozy, and a leg drop off the top puts him away.

Cathy Kelley catches up with Grayson Waller backstage, who seems really pleased that The Rock has been watching him. He also can’t wait to have his hand raised in the Fatal 4-Way.

The Tribal Court of Roman Reigns segment from last week’s SmackDown is replayed to build up anticipation for the Bloodline business tonight.

Flair tells Adam Pearce she feels so good about Bianca’s chances against Asuka tonight that she’s leaving the arena, but she changes her mind when she sees Damage CTRL is lurking.

Bayley def. Zelina Vega by pinfall

Poor Zelina feels like she’s been getting more of a push lately, but she loses in very quick fashion here.

Shotzi appears on the big screen and asks whether she looks scared just because Damage CTRL cut off some of her hair. She says she’ll show them she’s in control and unafraid and proves it by cutting off a lot more of her hair. Needless to say, she doesn’t sound very in control.

The crowd decides to “what” Jey as he talks about how he and Jimmy were inseparable growing up. He says twins are special, as they know how the other feels and end up feeling that too. When Jimmy is hurt, he’s hurt too, and he just can’t believe their current hurt was caused by a family member.

Jey has venom for Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and even Paul Heyman, but it’s the last name on the list who interrupts him. Heyman introduces himself and Sikoa even though they need no introduction, and declares that Solo is there to “enforce the peace.”

In the great spirit of Bloodline gaslighting, Heyman says that what happened to Jimmy is all Jey’s fault. He was the one who rose up against Reigns and wanted to be the Tribal Chief, after all.

Heyman continues by suggesting that Jey’s family members will never forgive him. And wow, even Solo asks for the mic. He insists he won’t forgive Jey either, and now they quickly progress to throwing hands.

Jey wins their brief exchange, however, sending Sikoa to the floor and leaving Heyman alone in the ring. The fans like that, but of course, Solo is back in time to keep Paul out of danger … but only for a little, as Heyman does end up eating a superkick before Jey launches himself into a suicide dive at Solo on the floor.

Oh, forgot to mention a chair is in the ring too, and Solo ends up eating some shots from it that otherwise would have been labeled for the Wiseman. This round goes to Jey, no question.

Santos Escobar def. Butch, Grayson Waller and AJ Styles

Austin Theory joins the announcers to check this one out since the winner will be one step closer to challenging for his title. He talks a lot about beating John Cena and seems to be especially irritated by Waller, which is odd since they’re both heels.

There’s a cool triple powerbomb spot that sees Escobar sunset flip over all three of the other combatants to set it in motion. Just when it appears Styles might be in position to win, Karrion Kross is shown on the big screen beating on The O.C. Styles leaves the match as a result, and Escobar takes advantage, pinning Butch to advance to face the winner of a second Fatal 4-Way next week.

The Street Profits are outside as a limo pulls up … and Bobby Lashley gets out. He invites Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins inside for a talk, and the car rolls out of there.

Rey Mysterio, Cameron Grimes and Sheamus all cut short promos about being in the second Fatal 4-Way next week. But in the actual arena, LA Knight talks to the fans live, getting a huge reaction and making it clear he’s going to win that match next Friday.

Bianca Belair def. Asuka by DQ in a WWE Women’s Championship match; Asuka retains

The bell hasn’t even rung before Bayley and IYO SKY make their way down to the first row of the crowd, with Bayley proudly displaying the tickets that mean they belong there. Flair has her own ticket and marches down in the same direction.

It should come as no surprise that when the action moves to the floor, with Bianca hitting a KOD on the announce table, both Bayley and Flair get involved. SKY sends Flair into the ringpost, and when Charlotte tries to get some payback with a spear, she hits Bianca instead.

SKY clobbers Charlotte from behind with the briefcase, and it looks like Damage CTRL wants to cash the briefcase in. Asuka hits Bayley with the mist to the face, however, and hightails it out of there since IYO never officially cashed in. So close for IYO, but not this week,

WWE SmackDown preview 07/14/23: Is Bianca Belair ready for Asuka?

We’ll also see what’s next for Jey Uso after he promised to be “judge, jury and executioner” for the Bloodline last week on WWE SmackDown.

Bianca Belair is about to get the opportunity she’s been stumping for ever since losing her championship tonight on WWE SmackDown from Raleigh — but that doesn’t mean it’s going to go the way she hoped.

One issue is that she imply might not beat Asuka, who has the WWE Women’s Championship and isn’t going to let it go easily. The Empress of Tomorrow has proven as crafty as ever during her current title run, mixing in-ring prowess with mind games.

But on top of that, there are others swirling around the title situation as well, and they might not sit back and just let Asuka and Belair find out who’s the better wrestler. One is IYO SKY, who is a threat to cash in her Money in the Bank contract at any time.

The other is Charlotte Flair, who’s made it known she has no intention of waiting in line for a championship opportunity. It feels like we’re headed toward a triple threat match at SummerSlam, and tonight’s SmackDown may clear things up on that front.

Also, what would a SmackDown be at the moment without the latest in the ongoing saga of the Bloodline? Jey Uso didn’t take kindly to seeing brother Jimmy take an ambulance ride last week, returning with a steel chair and taking his anger out on Solo Sikoa.

(Who, yes, is also his brother, but hey.)

There are almost certain to be repercussions coming Jey’s way, but what they might be, only the Tribal Chief knows for sure. We’ll see what Roman Reigns has in mind for his former right hand man tonight.

As always, the action kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Tune in then or join us here at Wrestling Junkie for live SmackDown updates from Raleigh as it sounds like a fun show.

The Bloodline just might be the best storytelling WWE has ever produced

For three years now, The Bloodline story has made every little moment and detail matter. It has wasted none of our time.

Once upon a time, Bryan Danielson, then known as Daniel Bryan, stood in the middle of a ring on live television and called wrestling fans around the world “fickle.”

Truer words have never been spoken. And that fickle nature has often derailed various stories and even a wrestlers’ push to the top of the card — all because the fans became bored and turned on it.

But here we are, three years into The Bloodline story, and fans are still fully invested.

Sure, there have been fans here and there who were mad online and expressed how they were over the long-running story. Those cries grew even louder when Roman Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania.

But then you watch the July 7 edition of Smackdown, and you hear the fans in Madison Square Garden, the world’s most famous arena, get swept up in every single moment of the Tribal Court of the Tribal Chief, and you can plainly see that there is nothing fickle about how these fans feel about this story. They are still very much with it.

How many stories in WWE history can say that? How many stories in the history of professional wrestling can that? 

How many people can say they were part of an angle that went strong for three years, with no dips in quality? The Bloodline can.

Sure, the New World Order lasted from 1996 until World Championship Wrestling closed its doors in 2001, and even had a brief run in 2002 in WWE, but the quality took a sharp turn in the wrong direction by 1998. And by 2002, the group was a mere shell of its former self.

Not The Bloodline. Not right now.

How many stories can have people frothing at the mouth for a segment that involves sending people to court?

Granted, Vince McMahon sent Steve Austin to jail multiple times in 1998 and ’99, but by 2001 we had been there and done that. At least that’s what Austin thought, which is why he wanted to turn heel and align himself with McMahon to begin with. Even he felt like it was getting a bit stale.

So far, The Bloodline has endured no such missteps. And those lack of mistakes have come as the group itself has shifted and changed over time – but not in a way where you would lose track of who is even in the group, which is how it was with the New World Order. Each addition or subtraction to The Bloodline has carried a lot of weight.

At first, you just had Reigns and Paul Heyman. But then Jey Uso fell in line. Not long after, Jimmy Uso fell in line. Eventually, The Bloodline took in Sami Zayn, which sparked its own arc that had fans yearning for Zayn to headline WrestleMania against Reigns.

At Clash at the Castle, Solo Sikoa made his main-roster debut. And with perfect timing, WWE began to unveil the cracks in the group’s seemingly impenetrable armor. 

Out the door went Zayn, and The Usos soon followed. And despite the group being down to only three members, the story is still as enthralling as it was at its full strength.

The only story that can stack up against this is Austin vs. McMahon, which had fans buying into the fact that the world champ could headline the pay-per-views against a middle-aged non-wrestler.

And while that story was basically a license to print money and made a massive cultural impact, the quality wasn’t always tremendous. For as many hits Austin and McMahon produced together, they produced some misses, too, most notable their infamous handshake at WrestleMania 17.

But for The Bloodline, I see no misses. If this story was an album, there would be no skips. From the matches to the segments that lead up to them, the drama and emotion that has been on display throughout these last three years is all worth reliving.

Everyone has played their part. Reigns has elevated his game to a degree some didn’t think he was capable of. His work as the Tribal Chief has made his work prior to the pandemic as “The Big Dog” feel like child’s play.

“The Big Dog” had no depth. It was a very one-dimensional character. What was his character? He was just good at what he did.

The Tribal Chief? Not only is he good at what he does, he’s the very best, which comes with an extremely toxic ego.

However, Reigns adds an extra layer of complexity by making the Tribal Chief highly insecure, and his ability to convey that confidence and fragility at the same time is sheer brilliance.

The Usos have never been hotter. They compel fans to empathize with them because a lot of people have been bullied and manipulated, and a lot of times, a close family member was the culprit.

Even Solo Sikoa has displayed his conflicted emotions at various points, which is saying something for someone whose main directive is to be as stoic as possible on television.

And then there’s Paul Heyman, who always conveys the importance and gravity of every situation. The look on his face when Reigns threw down his title belt this past Friday night was classic. And it only added to the moment of Reigns bending a knee before Jey Uso, which garnered a massive reaction from the fans.

The people have bought in hook, line, and sinker. Why? Because we believe everyone that is involved. We have met them. We have met a master manipulator with a fragile ego like Reigns. We’ve become fed up with our relatives like The Usos. We’ve also been Sikoa, who would love for everyone to just get along, but is still willing to do what he believes is best for the family – for now.

We even know someone like Heyman, who is so willing to kiss the ring of the person that would happily use the same hand to keep them in line if they saw fit.

The Bloodline story has made every little moment and detail matter. It has wasted none of our time. And while I was also wondering where they would go next after WrestleMania, WWE managed to keep me and many others invested.

And here we are, three years after Reigns returned to WWE after a pandemic-induced hiatus, he is set to defend his title against Jey Uso. Three years ago, that match would not have meant all that much.

Today it will be the most anticipated WWE match since WrestleMania. And those usually fickle wrestling fans will be there for every single moment.

It has been pro wrestling storytelling at its finest, and outside of Austin-McMahon, I don’t think anything else WWE has ever produced can measure up.

WWE Money in the Bank: Top takeaways after high drama in London

From excellent storytelling to worthy winners to a hot crowd, WWE Money in the Bank had lots of things go right in London.

For the second weekend in a row, wrestling fans were treated to one of the best wrestling events of the year.

Last week, it was All Elite Wrestling/New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Forbidden Door. This week, it was Money in the Bank, which featured not only some great matches, but a historic outcome and a raucous atmosphere.

Here are my instant takeaways from the event.

Jey Uso pinned Roman Reigns

For the first time in more than three years, Roman Reigns was pinned. And the person who did it was his own cousin.

I was genuinely surprised by this outcome. I figured there was no way WWE would beat Reigns in consecutive matches. I’m glad I was wrong.

As expected, this was a tremendous match with a number of storyline elements throughout, including calling back to the finishes of memorable matches throughout Reigns’ undefeated streak.

They also paid homage to multiple family members, including Jey Uso using The Rock’s slaps at one point.

We have had the pleasure of enjoying some great wrestling matches in the last couple of weeks, but I’d put this one up against any of them. The storytelling was top tier, and elevated this match into the same class as anything we saw at Forbidden Door, in my opinion.

IYO SKY literally climbs over Bayley to win Money in the Bank

Bayley tried her hardest to figuratively step over IYO SKY to win the briefcase, but thanks to a pair of handcuffs, SKY literally stepped over Bayley to win Money in the Bank.

Yes, this was a ladder match, but a pair of handcuffs was the most integral item in the match, as Zoey Stark attempted to cuff Becky Lynch to one of the ring posts. Lynch was able to fight Stark off, but left the handcuffs around her wrist.

Later in the match, Lynch and Bayley were fighting their way up a ladder when SKY, who had already been kicked off a ladder by Bayley, cuffed her Damage CTRL mate and Lynch together. From there, it was academic — and the fans in London loved it.

SKY is more than ready to be a champion, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Damian Priest is Mr. Money in the Bank

Although I and many others thought LA Knight was going to come down with the briefcase, I have no qualms whatsoever with Damian Priest being the one who can call himself Mr. Money in the Bank.

For those that don’t know Priest’s story, he has come a long, long way. Priest winning Money in the Bank in London Saturday was the culmination of a 20-year journey that began at The Monster Factory in Paulsboro, N.J.

Priest always had the ability and the potential to be a big star, but admitted during an interview with me back in 2017 that he didn’t fully dedicate himself to the craft.

“I wasn’t giving it 100 [percent]; I wasn’t giving it 100 in the gym, in training or putting myself out there,” he said. “I was kind of coasting by with my size basically because the people I surrounded myself with in the past were basically telling me, ‘Oh, you have a great look. You’re going to be fine. You’re going to be a big deal in this business.’ Because I didn’t know any better, that’s all I needed to hear.”

Priest eventually wised up and rededicated himself to being the star he and many others thought he could be. He signed with Ring of Honor and quickly caught the eye of WWE, where he has gone from a guy with untapped potential to marquee matches with Bad Bunny to, now, the Money in the Bank briefcase.

And with multiple world titles, Priest could cash in to finally reach the summit of the wrestling industry.

Until then, he’s got to worry about his souring relationship with Finn Balor, as he distracted his Judgment Day teammate, which allowed Seth Rollins to hit a curb stomp to retain the world title.

Shayna Baszler turns on Ronda Rousey

Well, I didn’t see that coming.

And it didn’t happen after the match either. It happened during their tag title defense against Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan. Shayna Baszler choked Ronda Rousey out in the middle of the ring, and Rodriguez and Morgan finished her off to pick up the win and become the new tag team champions.

I’m not totally sure what to make of this. Is WWE trying to make Rousey a babyface again? Based off the positive reaction to Baszler’s supposed dastardly act, I don’t think the fans are behind Rousey. Sympathy for Rousey was not on the menu in the arena Saturday night.

Granted, London is just one city, but the fans weren’t necessarily behind Rousey during her first babyface run either.

Also, the turn came completely out of nowhere. There was no indication that there was dissension between Rousey and Baszler.

Bottom line, WWE has got some work to do to make this a worthwhile program.

Drew McIntyre is back and looks to be challenging Gunther

After many months away from WWE, Drew McIntyre returned Saturday and starred down Gunther after he successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship against Matt Riddle.

I’m willing to bet these two will face each other at SummerSlam, but is McIntyre the guy to dethrone the Ring General? I’m not so sure.

The atmosphere in London was fantastic

This wasn’t totally surprising, as the United Kingdom has proven to have some of the best crowds in wrestling over the years. But I think it still warrants being noted.

The chants were plentiful, the decibel level was high, and it helped elevate a pretty fun show.

WWE SmackDown results: The Usos stand together, fracturing Bloodline for good

This week’s WWE SmackDown from Lexington had a finale that left The Bloodline changed forever.

By the end of tonight’s WWE SmackDown in Lexington, we might know a lot more about what The Bloodline will look like going forward.

Though the drama within the group has been simmering for weeks, last Friday saw it inch closer to the point of no return. After being buttered up all night by Paul Heyman, Jey Uso had a title opportunity that slipped through his fingers, due in part to attempted assistance by Jimmy Uso that backfired.

(Which, you know, wrestling. These things happen.)

Jey left his brother hanging as he was obviously upset, but he didn’t commit to joining the other side of this divide. That’s the one headed up by Roman Reigns, a.ka. the Tribal Chief. Will Jey really turn his back on his twin and stand with Reigns and his other brother, Solo Sikoa? Reigns will be in the house tonight, likely demanding an answer.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have left the Bloodline drama pretty much behind them, but while they have been occupied with a new beef with Imperium, they also need proper No. 1 contenders to their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. They’ll get those in Lexington thanks to a Gauntlet match where five teams will compete for a title opportunity.

Charlotte Flair made return just a week ago, and she’s already made it clear she plans to reassume her spot atop the women’s division. She’ll be the guest tonight on The Grayson Waller Effect, and while we’re not saying for sure that hijinks will ensue, there seems like a high likelihood of that.

WWE SmackDown results from Lexington:

  • Kayla Braxton asks for an update on where Jey Uso stands within The Bloodline, but Paul Heyman looks irritated and blows her off

  • Pretty Deadly wins a Gauntlet match to become the No. 1 contenders for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, def. Brawling Brutes by pinfall after the Brutes had def. the Street Profits, The O.C., The LWO and Hit Row (in a matter of seconds) by pinfall
  • Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn come to the ramp to confront Pretty Deadly, who promise to celebrate “even longer” after winning the tag team titles, but when Sami gives an irritated KO permission to run down to the ring to beat them up, they find the heel duo has fled

  • Roman Reigns tells Heyman he hasn’t spoken to Jey Uso and that Jey should have reached out to him, then orders Heyman to talk to Jey … NOW

  • Zelina Vega def. IYO SKY after SKY got upset with Bayley’s attempted assistance and was distracted while arguing with her teammate
  • Bianca Belair confronts Adam Pearce about the rematch he promised her, but she’s not willing to wait patiently for him to come through on it since Charlotte Flair seems to have jumped the line
  • Shotzi finds Damage CTRL still squabbling and challenges Bayley for her spot in the Money in the Bank Ladder match, and SKY slyly accepts on Bayley’s behalf

  • The Grayson Waller welcomes a “living legend,” Charlotte Flair, but they are soon joined by Belair, who airs her grievances about not getting her rematch and accuses the Queen of “running away” for three months; Flair takes exception to that, but Belair says she’ll be waiting for the Charlotte-Asuka winner to call her own shot and take her title back
  • Heyman finds Jey Uso and insists that Jimmy intended to kick him last week due to jealousy, but Jey reiterates that if he’s in the Bloodline, Paul is still out
  • Karrion Kross and Scarlett def. AJ Styles and Michin by pinfall
  • Solo Sikoa asks Reigns if he needs to handle the situation since Heyman clearly failed, but Roman says there’s still plenty of time
  • Cameron Grimes gets jumped backstage by Baron Corbin

  • Rey Mysterio says of all his accomplishments, one he is especially proud of is reforming the LWO, and he feels like teammate Santos Escobar can become the new Mr. Money in the Bank; Escobar thanks Mysterio but is soon confronted by LA Knight, who starts some beef ahead of a match with Escobar
  • Santos Escobar def. LA Knight by pinfall; Knight tries to get in more shots after the bell but is chased away by Mysterio
  • Jey runs into Sami on his way to the ring, but Zayn simply nods to him before moving on
  • “I know what they want. They want answers, Jey. So what’s it gonna be: Are you in, or are you out?” Jey turns the question back around on Roman by saying it’s either him or Heyman, to which Reigns claims they’ve been grooming Jey to be the next Tribal Chief for three years … but his time to lead is just not yet …

  • … but when Jimmy comes out to tell Jey Roman is using him, Reigns is able to drive a wedge further between them … or so it seems until Jey says Jimmy is out and he’s out too; the Usos dish out superkicks to Reigns and Sikoa, ending the show with a double superkick to Roman and lifting their 1s in the air