It was the night that fractured a family, the night when one of the most prolific tag team partners in WWE history, the Usos, plunged their names into the annals of WWE history. One half of the formidable duo, Jimmy Uso, committed the wrestling equivalent of Cain’s betrayal of Abel. A savage assault on Roman Reigns led to Reigns and Solo Sikoa losing their match at the Night of Champions, leaving a wake of shock and disbelief that echoed through the wrestling world. All of a sudden, the twins, once indomitable, were tainted, their revered standing in the Bloodline faltered, and Solo Sikoa was anointed as Reigns’ enforcer.
But, if we’re being honest, this was a long time coming after the psychological abuse that Jimmy and Jey had to endure at the hands of Roman Reigns for the better part of the past three years.
Now, a palpable hush blankets the wrestling landscape, the tension tangible as we wait for Reigns and Jey Uso’s impending battle. Fans recall the magic once woven by these two cousins in the ring – a nostalgic reminder of Jey earning himself the nickname, “Main Event Jey”. And, thus, the question is born: Will Reigns’ historic championship reign succumb to his cousin’s onslaught?
Even wrestling icon, The Rock, a descendant of the illustrious Anoa’i family, lauded Reigns and Jey Uso’s enthralling match at the Night of Champions three years ago. In a candid Instagram exchange, he hailed their performance as one that “tore the house down.” But it wasn’t just about family pride. It was a fight for supremacy, where emotions had no room. Reigns, driven by a single purpose, countered Uso’s top-rope splash with a low blow. The drama escalated, the brutality unleashed, and Jimmy Uso was forced to concede the match, a sacrificial lamb for his brother’s safety.
The wrestling narrative took a stunning turn earlier this month as Jey Uso pinned Reigns at the Money in the Bank event. It is this unexpected victory that catapulted Jey back into the spotlight, paving the way to the same conversations that once prevailed in WWE circles way back then.
With the once-dominant Bloodline faction fractured, its cohesion shattered by Reigns’ paranoia and tyrannical ways, who better than Jeu to finish history?
The stage is now set for an epic clash at SummerSlam. Will it be Jey Uso, the reluctant rebel, who rises to the occasion, or will it be Solo Sikoa, the rising star, nudged into the fray by Paul Heyman’s manipulative games? The aftermath of this will be felt throughout the WWE for months if not years.
However, while Jey Uso enjoys an outpouring support, Cody Rhodes remains the top choice to dethrone Roman Reigns and end his historic reign. The third-generation WWE superstar has a storyline that’s just as compelling with a talent that’s been proven all over the world. Not only that, but unlike Jey, The American Nightmare has carried storylines and feuds outside of what’s arguably the best long-term storyline that the WWE has ever told. As Cody Rhodes reiterates that he isn’t after the World Heavyweight Championship, even calling out Brock Lesnar for a rubber match at SummerSlam, and promising to go after Reigns soon after, Jey’s recent statement doesn’t inspire as much confidence. His confession of not wanting to replace Reigns is arguably WWE hinting that he’s not ready to hold one-half of the promotion’s top title belt yet.
SummerSlam in August will shed light on the fate of the Usos, Reigns, and perhaps the rest of the Bloodline, Paul Heyman included. As Reigns battles his own blood for the crown, the wrestling world holds its collective breath. Will the end of this civil war mark an unprecedented shift in power, or will Reigns continue his march toward history, vaulting him above Bruno Sammartino’s second championship reign as the fourth-longest-reigning WWE champion by the time that WrestleMania 40 rolls around?
While we can never discount the WWE throwing a curveball and making Jey win at SummerSlam, we doubt it. But, while Jey isn’t ready to win it all just yet, who knows? Maybe, in the future, Jey will go from “Main Event Jey” and become the new Tribal Chief, or maybe it’ll be his brother, Solo Sikoa, who will assume the new position. Either way, no matter the outcome, one thing is clear: Reigns’ reign is under severe threat. The stakes have never been higher, and all eyes are on the wrestling ring as the saga unfolds.
