Tag: the bloodline

Two matches added to WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has added two matches to the lineup for tonight’s SmackDown.

Bloodline brothers Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa will team up as they take on The Street Profits tonight. An Andrade vs. Apollo Crews singles match has also been announced for the episode.

This is Loa’s first match since joining The Bloodline. It was originally announced that Loa & Solo Sikoa would face The Street Profits on last week’s SmackDown from Saudi Arabia, but there was instead a backstage segment with Paul Heyman saying customs wouldn’t allow Loa into the country. Heyman told Sikoa there’s a reason why dangerous people like Loa and Tonga weren’t allowed into The Bloodline before.

In storyline, The Street Profits are out for revenge after being laid out by The Bloodline three weeks ago. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford are also looking to position themselves for a shot at Grayson Waller & Austin Theory’s WWE Tag Team titles. Ford pinned Waller in a six-man tag match last week.

Andrade and Crews are competing on SmackDown for the first time since joining the brand in the WWE Draft. Last week, a video aired hyping that Andrade would be coming to SmackDown soon. Legado Del Fantasma debated whether Andrade could be an asset to them or an enemy.

MVP Arena in Albany, New York is the venue for tonight’s show. Here’s the updated lineup:

  • Nia Jax’s Queen of the Ring coronation
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes appears
  • Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa vs. The Street Profits
  • Andrade vs. Apollo Crews

Tonga Loa to compete in tag match on WWE SmackDown next week

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After arriving at Backlash, we now know when Tonga Loa will be making his in-ring debut as a member of The Bloodline.

The former NJPW wrestler will be part of a tag team match on SmackDown next Friday. Loa is teaming with Solo Sikoa against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford).

This is Loa’s first WWE match since 2014, when he wrestled in NXT as Camacho.

Loa was introduced as the newest member of The Bloodline by helping Sikoa & Tama Tonga defeat Randy Orton & Kevin Owens in a street fight at Backlash. The Bloodline has gotten a new identity in recent weeks with Sikoa taking charge of the group. Tonga and Loa have joined the faction while Jimmy Uso was kicked out.

In storyline, Sikoa claims that Roman Reigns has put him in charge of The Bloodline while Reigns is gone. Reigns hasn’t appeared on WWE programming since his loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.

Loa was a seven-time tag team champion in NJPW, teaming with his brother Tonga as the Guerrillas of Destiny. In WWE, the spelling of Loa’s name has been changed to “Tonga Loa.” It had been “Tanga Loa” in NJPW. WWE filed trademarks for both spellings of the name earlier this month.

Next Friday’s SmackDown is taking place from Saudi Arabia one night before WWE’s King & Queen of the Ring PLE. Tama Tonga vs. Randy Orton in a King of the Ring semifinal match will take place on SmackDown. Tonga defeated Angelo Dawkins earlier in the tournament. Both members of The Street Profits were laid out by The Bloodline in that match.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, May 24) —

  • King of the Ring semifinals: Randy Orton vs. Tama Tonga
  • Queen of the Ring semifinals: Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax
  • AJ Styles meets with Nick Aldis
  • Bayley vs. Chelsea Green
  • The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa & Tonga Loa) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)

Tanga Loa makes WWE debut at Backlash, joins The Bloodline

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Bloodline got an unexpected new addition at Backlash.

At Saturday’s event in France, Tanga Loa made his WWE debut by helping the new-look Bloodline (Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga) defeat Kevin Owens & Randy Orton in a street fight. Loa is Tonga’s brother. They were seven-time tag team champions together as the Guerrillas of Destiny in NJPW.

The 40-year-old Loa’s last match for NJPW took place on March 31. There wasn’t any speculation going into Backlash that he would be able to join WWE.

Prior to his eight-year run in NJPW, Loa wrestled in NXT as Camacho.

Owens was about to pin Tonga at Backlash before Loa got involved. Owens gave Tonga a brainbuster off the top rope onto a pile of chairs. He went for the cover, but Loa pulled the referee out of the ring. Loa struck both Owens and Orton with the steel steps, leading to Sikoa & Tonga getting the victory with Sikoa pinning Owens.

Since WrestleMania, The Bloodline’s story has seen Sikoa seemingly put himself in charge of the faction with Roman Reigns not around. He’s added both Tonga and Loa to The Bloodline while kicking Jimmy Uso out of it.

Paul Heyman, who has been worried about the changes to The Bloodline, said on SmackDown that he hasn’t talked to Reigns since WrestleMania. Heyman said he made the decision to pull Reigns out of the WWE Draft on his own because he couldn’t subject Reigns to the chaos that’s going on within The Bloodline right now.

Backlash was Tonga’s first televised match for WWE. It wasn’t originally announced as a street fight, but SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis added the stipulation after the teams got into a wild brawl before the bell rang.

Tonga & Loa are sons of pro wrestling legend Haku.

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW Dynasty preview

Posted on by Andrew Zarian

On the doorstep of AEW Dynasty, I am back with an early Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, discussing all the latest news. 

Tonight’s Dynasty pay-per-view features a stacked card so let’s break down each match and discuss how strong the show appears from top to bottom. Will Swerve Strickland finally win the AEW World title? I think it’s his time and I will tell you why.

I also talk about Saturday’s AEW Collision and Rampage episodes, and Tony Khan’s comments on his media call this week including negotiations for a new TV rights package.

On Friday’s WWE SmackDown, The Bloodline saga continued with Solo Sikoa emerging as the new leader of the group, solidifying Roman Reigns’ status as a babyface when he does return.

Plus, WWE made some surprising cuts on Friday during SmackDown, “Broken” Matt Hardy re-emerged in TNA Saturday, and more.

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Wrestling Weekly: AEW Dynasty picks & who exactly is The Bloodline’s Tribal Chief?

Posted on by Victor Sosa

On a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and I give our AEW Dynasty picks and take a look at a bunch of questions now facing The Bloodline in WWE post-WrestleMania 40 like who is the current Tribal Chief?

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Live: Becky Lynch US citizen, WrestleMania, Matt Hardy at RAW, WWE working with other groups

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including Becky Lynch becoming a US citizen and her long history here, WWE and AEW talents attending the other show, NXT, AEW and WrestleMania line-ups, the RAW report, booking the main matches, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Paul Heyman: I carry a ‘significant voice’ in The Bloodline’s WWE creative

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In an interview with the New York Post about his upcoming WWE Hall of Fame induction, Paul Heyman addressed the role he has in The Bloodline’s creative process.

Heyman will play a significant role accompanying The Bloodline for the main events of WrestleMania 40 next month. The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins is set to headline night one of the event. On night two, Reigns defends his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Rhodes.

Heyman told the New York Post that he carries a “significant voice” in how The Bloodline is portrayed and presented. Heyman doesn’t think he would be satisfied just being a performer. He has to have some level of input — and that input has been encouraged and well-received within WWE:

I carry a significant voice in how we are portrayed and presented — that includes everything from camera angles to music to storylines.

It’s why Roman Reigns bestowed upon me the blessing name of the Wiseman, which is both acknowledgment from the Tribal Chief to his Special Counsel, and also a historical reference to the Grand Wizard, Freddie Blassie and Captain Lou Albano, who are the only managers during the Vincent James McMahon (father of Vince McMahon) era.

I don’t know if I could only be a performer. I wouldn’t be satisfied. I wouldn’t be happy with just going out there and doing our shtick. I have to have a voice. I have to have some level of input, and so far, as luck would have it, that input has been not only welcomed but encouraged and very well received.

Heyman said The Bloodline story has staying power because it’s constantly evolving. When he and Reigns were paired together in WWE, their goal was to put together a body of work that would be comparable to some of television’s greatest shows:

It’s not based on instant gratification and shock value. The whole designation of the Tribal Chief, The Bloodline, the family saga that plays out on TV and premium live events, is to present the highest quality product this industry has ever seen. We’re cognizant of the fact that for generations great performers in this industry have been inspired, like Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, DX, Stone Cold, The Rock. It’s been done.

So, when Roman Reigns and I had a chance to work together, starting in August of 2020, our designation was to put together a body of work that would upon reflection compete with ‘Peaky Blinders,’ ‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The Wire,’ ‘Fargo,’ ‘Breaking Bad’ — the most compelling dramas with the most riveting villains that anyone has ever seen. It’s a disruption of what had become the status quo in sports entertainment, and then a constant search for us to disrupt that disruption.

It was announced on Monday that Heyman has been named the first member of WWE’s 2024 Hall of Fame class. The induction ceremony is taking place after SmackDown in Philadelphia on Friday, April 5.

Dave Meltzer stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE had offered to induct Heyman into the Hall of Fame in previous years but Heyman turned it down because he’s still active in the industry. Heyman confirmed that in his interview with the New York Post, noting that he’s declined the honor several times.

Heyman still feels his body of work is incomplete and there’s still a lot he wants to accomplish, but Heyman decided to accept the induction this year.

“This being the first year that Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, WWE’s chief content officer, is fully in charge of the inductions, coupled with it being the 40th WrestleMania and happening in Philadelphia, are why he decided the time now is right,” the New York Post wrote.

WWE Raw video highlights: The Bloodline cost Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On Raw last night, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso both lost matches because of The Bloodline.

Rhodes was dealt his first one-on-one loss since May 2023. He opened last night’s show by facing Drew McIntyre. Rhodes looked like he was about to get the victory, but The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa both interfered. Rhodes was initially able to overcome a distraction by Jimmy. He had McIntyre in position for Cross Rhodes, but Sikoa appeared and dropped Rhodes with a Samoan spike.

McIntyre then followed with a Claymore and pinned Rhodes for the win.

Rhodes and Seth Rollins had an interaction backstage after the match. While no words were said, it appeared that Rhodes was admitting that Rollins was right when he said Rhodes needs backup when he challenges Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Rhodes and Rollins are appearing together on a Grayson Waller Effect segment at Elimination Chamber this Saturday.

Jey Uso challenged Gunther in last night’s main event and was about to end Gunther’s historic Intercontinental title reign, but Jimmy Uso interfered to cost his twin brother the match. 

Raw ended with Jimmy laying out Jey. He vowed that Jey is not going to win a singles title without him.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

Raquel Rodriguez returns, qualifies for women’s Elimination Chamber match

Rhea Ripley and Nia Jax side-by-side interview

UFC fighter Michael Chandler calls out Conor McGregor

The Miz, R-Truth & DIY vs. The Judgment Day

Nia Jax makes a statement in brawl with Elimination Chamber competitors

Chad Gable vs. Ivar

Jimmy Uso costs Jey Uso the Intercontinental title

Raw fallout: Cody Rhodes and CM Punk speak after the show goes off the air

Raw fallout: Comedian Gabriel Iglesias interviews Raquel Rodriguez

Raw fallout: Zelina Vega is done playing second-best

Raw Talk: Judgment Day, Raquel Rodriguez, Chad Gable appear

Wrestling Observer Live: The Rock goes vintage on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Andrew Zarian

I am back with another Sunday episode of Wrestling Observer Live with the biggest news stories from the week in professional wrestling.

I start by recapping a newsworthy WWE SmackDown from Friday with thoughts on the improvement of Dominick Mysterio, Drew McIntyre’s backstage segment with LA Knight, and more.

The biggest story, however, was the return of The Rock as part of The Bloodline. He came out in a very loud shirt that evoked memories of heel Rock from the Attitude Era and then cut a very heel promo with what appeared to be a lot of hidden innuendos.

I give my thoughts on what this means, where the story is going, and whether could it lead back to WWE WrestleMania next year.

Andrew also talks about AEW Revolution, the current card, and whether it’s Swerve Strickland’s time to take the World title or if Samoa Joe retains this time around. Also, Sting’s last match is official as he and Darby Allin will defend the AEW Tag Team titles against The Young Bucks.

Plus, Bryan Danielson is facing Jun Akiyama on this Saturday’s Collision, we got an upset at UFC 298, and AEW’s attendance decline.

Click Here to Listen or watch above on YouTube

WWE SmackDown video highlights: The Rock officially joins The Bloodline

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On SmackDown last night, the new heel version of The Rock was on full display.

The Rock and Roman Reigns stood side-by-side in the main event segment of last night’s show. Reigns called it a historic night, officially introducing The Rock as a member of The Bloodline.

A throwback to his Hollywood persona of the early 2000s, The Rock insulted the Salt Lake City crowd throughout his promo, calling them inbreds and trailer park trash. The Rock said we haven’t seen this side of him in a while, but it’s a side that’s been here all along. The Rock blamed the fans for ruining what should have been the biggest WrestleMania main event in history between him and Reigns.

The Rock promised that he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure that Cody Rhodes loses to Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Rock said he and Reigns are the most dominant duo in sports and entertainment:

Cody Rhodes, make one thing perfectly clear: The Rock is going to do everything in his power to make sure that you walk out of WrestleMania what you are — which is a loser. Everything in his power to make sure that happens.

Cody, your story is just ending. Our story is just beginning. The Bloodline — the most powerful, dominant duo in sports, in entertainment, and of course in the WWE. If you smell… what The Bloodline is cooking.

While Reigns vs. Rhodes is official for WrestleMania, WWE hasn’t confirmed what The Rock will be doing at the show yet. It appears that a tag match with The Rock & Reigns facing Rhodes & Seth Rollins is being built for night one of WrestleMania.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Kevin Owens vs. Dominik Mysterio

LA Knight is sick of Drew McIntyre’s complaining

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Zelina Vega

AJ Styles slaps Karl Anderson

Damage CTRL have a warning for Bayley and Dakota Kai

The Authors of Pain vs. Javier Bernal & Beau Morris

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Logan Paul vs. The Miz

Jade Cargill isn’t happy that her big business meeting got interrupted

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Naomi vs. Alba Fyre

Dakota Kai needs Bayley to help protect her from Damage CTRL

Bron Breakker is the newest member of the SmackDown roster

The Rock officially joins The Bloodline

SmackDown fallout: Logan Paul, Kevin Owens, Dominik Mysterio, Miz interviews

SmackDown fallout: Naomi, Tiffany Stratton, Zelina Vega, Alba Fyre interviews

Wrestling Weekly: Cody Rhodes gets the chance to finish the story, doesn’t he?

Posted on by Victor Sosa

After Thursday night, Cody Rhodes is officially back in the WrestleMania main event game, but was he ever really out?

On this week’s Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and I discuss this as well as the excellent confrontation between Rhodes, The Rock, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins at the WrestleMania press conference, the Young Bucks’ attack on new AEW Tag Team champions Sting & Darby Allin, and the firing of Scott D’Amore from TNA.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WWE SmackDown video highlights: Orton, Knight & Styles decimate The Bloodline

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On SmackDown last night, all three of Roman Reigns’ next challengers worked together to decimate The Bloodline,

Reigns didn’t appear on the episode, but Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa & Paul Heyman attempted to hijack the show. The Bloodline were upset that SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis has booked Reigns to defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble.

Despite The Bloodline trying to disrupt things, Aldis declared that he isn’t changing his mind. Reigns vs. Orton vs. Knight vs. Styles is still on for the Royal Rumble.

Aldis announced that Uso & Sikoa would have to face Orton, Knight & Styles in last night’s main event. If Uso & Sikoa could not find a partner, it would be a handicap match.

Uso & Sikoa weren’t able to get a partner for the match. They attempted to even the odds by attacking Orton during his entrance, but Orton returned before the match ended. Orton got the win by pinning Uso after an RKO.

Following the match, Orton, Knight & Styles decimated Uso & Sikoa. They struck Uso with the steel steps and powerbombed Sikoa through the announce table.

Reigns will be back on SmackDown next Friday for a contract signing with Orton, Knight, and Styles.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

The Bloodline attempt to hijack SmackDown

Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro vs. Angel & Humberto

Logan Paul will appear on The KO Show next week

Bianca Belair vs. Bayley

Karrion Kross & The Authors of Pain are The Final Testament

Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory

Randy Orton, LA Knight & AJ Styles vs. Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa

SmackDown fallout: AJ Styles is disappointed in Michin for losing last week

SmackDown fallout: Carter & Chance want to face the best SmackDown has to offer

JNPO: Pro wrestling year in review – Bloodlines and brochachos

Posted on by Josh Nason

On a new entry in my annual JNPO pro wrestling year in review series, I am joined by Jesse Collings of Wrestlenomics and the Gentlemen’s Wrestling Podcast to talk all about the month of July.

We kick off by looking back at WWE Money in the Bank which saw two future title challengers created in addition to the first-ever Bloodline Civil War match. We also talk about Vince McMahon’s back surgery, the build to SummerSlam, and everything else from WWE and NXT.

In AEW Land, it was the month where the bromance of the summer — MJF & Adam Cole — really took flight from their Blind Eliminator Tag Team tournament win, their title shot at FTR, and a t-shirt that took AEW by storm. We also look back at Blood & Guts. Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor, and more.

We also dive deep into Impact Slammiversary, the month in Japan, and the rest of the big headlines from wrestling in our junk drawer segment. Well over 100 topics are covered in just over an hour.

I promise this is unlike any other year-end series you’ll hear or read, so catch up on the rest of the series in the archive.

Click Here to Listen

Randy Orton & LA Knight vs. The Bloodline added to WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Randy Orton and LA Knight are set to team up for the first time ever.

WWE has announced that Orton & Knight will face The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa in a tag team match on this Friday’s SmackDown. It’s a special episode of the show branded as Tribute to the Troops 2023.

Orton and Knight have a common enemy in The Bloodline. Last Friday, Knight came to Orton’s defense following an attack by Uso and Sikoa. After Knight and Sikoa brawled to the back, Orton laid out Uso with an RKO.

There was an angle last week where SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis and Raw general manager Adam Pearce both wanted to sign Orton to their brand. Orton ultimately decided to sign an exclusive SmackDown contract.

Orton recently returned to the ring at Survivor Series. He had been out of action since May 2022 due to a career-threatening back injury. Orton underwent double fusion back surgery last year.

Orton was feuding with The Bloodline before the back injury forced him out of action. In storyline, Orton blames The Bloodline for causing his injury.

It appears that Orton will be a future challenger for Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. After signing his SmackDown contract last week, Orton delivered a message to Reigns.

“Hey Paul [Heyman], you can call Roman Reigns,” Orton said. “And you can tell him: Daddy’s back.”

Friday’s SmackDown is taking place from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. Here’s everything that’s been announced for the show:

  • CM Punk returns to SmackDown
  • Randy Orton & LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka
  • United States Championship number one contender’s tournament first-round match: Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross
  • United States Championship number one contender’s tournament first-round match: Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar
  • The War and Treaty will perform live