The rivalry between Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns had a new chapter in the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Following the events of last week, where the Original Tribal Chief mercilessly attacked Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and especially Tonga Loa, fans were eager to see the original leader of a faction whose power has been usurped for months.

However, little did they expect what was going to happen on tonight’s edition of the Blue Brand. Sikoa and Tama Tonga were in charge of closing the show, appearing on stage without Tonga Loa, who was injured after the brutal beating he received at the hands of Reigns. Sikoa asked the Original Tribal Chief to take the Ula Fala and settle things once and for all—an offer that Reigns gladly accepted before getting into a brawl with the two.

Then came a return that shocked fans as well as Reigns. The Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu, made his return to WWE SmackDown by attacking Roman Reigns. Fatu had been absent from WWE programming since SummerSlam, where he hit the commentary table while performing a splash on Cody Rhodes. The fact that Fatu had been out had weakened the new Bloodline against Roman Reigns. But now, the situation has completely changed.

Roman Reigns managed to get the upper hand over Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga. But just as he put on the Tribal Chief’s Ula Fala, Jacob Fatu returned to attack Reigns and subsequently helped throw him against the commentary table alongside Sikoa and Tonga. This was surely a defeat that felt really personal to Reigns. He could be seen looking dejected as he walked toward the backstage area in footage captured after the show.

This SmackDown show makes it clear that while Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa are not great threats to Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu changes everything. Fatu has surely been the best among the Bloodline 2.0—a monster that truly is a menace to the WWE roster. With his win in the brawl against Reigns, Fatu has proven that he is the real key player in this Bloodline civil war, something that Reigns likely realized after the humiliating defeat, as evident from his sad expressions. However, there may be another reason behind his vulnerability.

The passing of Reign’s uncle

Afa Anoa’i, a member of the legendary Wild Samoans team, has passed away at the age of 81, and his family announced the heartbreaking news on social media. After a hard week with the passing of legends of the ring, such as Kevin Sullivan and Dennis Brent, the news of Afa Anoa’i’s death surely left the wrestling community shattered.

Roman Reigns released a brief comment regarding the death of his uncle, Afa Anoa’i, on his X account. He wrote, “Our family has suffered another great loss with the passing of my uncle and WWE Hall of Famer, Gataivasā Afa Amituana’i Anoa’i. We thank everyone for their support and are comforted by the fact that he now rests in peace. Afa and my father, Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’I were loving brothers, the greatest tag team of their generation, and now they’re reunited together in heaven. Rest in Power Wild Samoans.” 

Well, it surely looks like Reigns was heavily affected by the passing of his uncle. Jey Uso also took the mic on SmackDown to share his thoughts on the passing of his uncle. As for the other members of the Bloodline, we are yet to hear their reactions. We at EssentiallySports would like to share our condolences with the Anoa’i family and those affected.