Are We Sure WWE's Roman Reigns Has Changed?
At SummerSlam, Roman Reigns returned to WWE after a four-month hiatus to reclaim his throne and begin his path to redemption.
The process hasn't been easy for The Original Tribal Chief, who has had to face the consequences of his past actions. Following a loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, the 39-year-old lost the top prize in the company, his tribe and his claim to power.
In his absence, Solo Sikoa took advantage of the disarray and reformed The Bloodline in his own image. Fans ultimately rejected him and his methods, sparking "We Want Roman" chants ahead of The Biggest Party of the Summer.
Although the new leader of his faction helped to build anticipation for Reigns' return, it was unclear how he would react to everything that transpired. The OTC immediately attacked Sikoa to regain what was taken from him, but to what end?
Yes, teaming up with Rhodes at Bad Blood and acknowledging Jimmy Uso on the following episode of Smackdown proved that defeat humbled him a little. However, he also admitted that he didn't like that he was no longer in control in the same instance.
All's Fair in Love and War
Most of Reigns' teammates for the upcoming men's WarGames match at Survivor Series have only aligned with him to take down the new Bloodline.
Jey Uso and Sami Zayn still have unresolved issues with The OTC, and their failed attempts to find a fifth member indicate that most of the roster has a hard time believing he has seen the error of his ways.
Honestly, why would they trust him? The second-generation Superstar never apologized for his actions, and his current alliances are seemingly just a means to an end for him.
To Seth Rollins' point, how do they know he's not using them to help him get the ula fala back and rebuild his empire?
The Visionary's reservations are valid. After all, he threw himself in the line of fire to ensure his former Shield teammate's reign of tyranny would end, and he wouldn't willingly help him regain that kind of unchecked power again.
Conversely, all four potential members of his WarGames team are integral to Reigns' attempt to atone for his wrongdoing. His right-hand man, Main Event Jey, bore the brunt of his abusive and vindictive leadership. Zayn was an outsider, who forced him to open up again, but The Tribal Chief's insecurities eventually pushed them apart.
Admittedly, Rollins created the monster Reigns eventually became. His infamous betrayal motivated his former stablemate to build a faction with the people he knew he could trust most—his family—and he demanded unquestioned loyalty.
Properly mending things with all of them is important to his redemption arc, especially Rollins. The OTC lost everything at WrestleMania 40 because he couldn't pass up the chance to exact revenge on him again.
Reigns had the chance to pin Rhodes and retain his title, but he just couldn't resist the opportunity to give him a receipt for the chair shot that ended The Shield.
To close this chapter of his career, he has to address the anger and fear that pushed him to create The Bloodline in the first place.
All the pieces are in place for an emotional finale at Survivor Series, but will he make the right decision? Can fighting alongside his friends and family again remind him who he was before he joined forces with Paul Heyman?
Old Habits Die Hard
Speaking of The Wiseman, it's telling that even he has seemingly turned his back on The Head of the Table. Reigns left him alone to deal with Sikoa and his new followers for weeks, and he never came back to help.
Calling Heyman as a last resort when he couldn't find a fifth member was incredibly selfish. It's another sign that he's still just as manipulative and self-centered, but his usual tactics aren't working because he has burned so many bridges.
The OTC will find another teammate in time for WWE's last major premium live event of the year on November 30. However, the question surrounding the match and its outcome remains whether anyone should trust him afterward.
It's unclear if facing his demons and the monstrosity he created in the men's WarGames match will make him see the light. His successor is only doing what he taught him to do. His lust for power is a direct result of the example he set for his family as a leader who ruled with an iron fist.
Even if he regains the ula fala and his ceremonial title, it's up to Reigns to break the chain of violence and trauma that he started. The Undisputed WWE Championship is likely his next conquest, but it's up to him to decide what kind of champion he wants to be this time.
His choice will determine the next chapter for The Bloodline and impact WWE programming for the next few months as we start the road to WrestleMania 41.
As Reigns' motives become clear, it's likely we will quickly discover who his opponent at The Show of Shows could be.
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