If one believes in creator Maya Angelou’s well-known quote, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time,” then Roman Reigns’ message final Friday was fairly telling.
In what was an eventful episode of SmackDown, Reigns addressed the WWE Universe for the primary time since returning at SummerSlam, telling the followers, “I don’t want to confuse anybody. Some things change, but not me.”
As audiences loudly chant “OTC,” maybe that line is a sign to followers that the Original Tribal Chief, for all his spears and Superman punches to Solo Sikoa and the Bloodline, continues to be the dirtiest participant within the recreation. And it might be a proven fact that Cody Rhodes would possibly be clever to select up on earlier than it’s too late.
Once a Rhodes, all the time a Rhodes
The present storyline that includes Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and The Bloodline has a acquainted air to it, one that pulls on previous occasions. One of essentially the most notable parallels entails Cody’s father, Dusty Rhodes, who as soon as fell for a comparable lure set by a former rival.
In the late Seventies, Dusty was in a heated feud with Ole Anderson, going as far as to say, “It’ll never be over!” But quickly after, Anderson grew to become a fan favourite. For a yr, he gained the belief of Dusty’s pals and allies, resulting in the 2 teaming up in a metal cage match. That’s when Dusty realized he had been fooled. Anderson, together with the Assassins and particular referees Ivan and Gene Anderson, turned on Dusty, leaving him a bloody mess.
Unlike Dusty and Anderson, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns haven’t had a year-long buildup involving a dramatic change in Reigns. But every man’s points with The Bloodline have made their alliance appear believable. Unfortunately, the thrill from followers about a dream group between these WrestleMania rivals might blind them from what might actually be taking place.
On SmackDown, Cody initially refused to group with Reigns in opposition to Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu at Bad Blood. Later, Reigns mentioned he didn’t want Cody’s assist however didn’t flip it down when push got here to shove. After Cody had a change of coronary heart and referred to as for the contract, Reigns handed it over, and Cody signed with out hesitation.
This would possibly Sting a little
On the floor, Roman Reigns turning on Cody Rhodes appears far-fetched after what’s taken place between Reigns and Solo Sikoa. After Reigns misplaced the Undisputed WWE Championship to Rhodes at WrestleMania XL, Sikoa seized management of The Bloodline, recruited new members, and produced the Ula Fala, finalizing his declare to being the Tribal Chief. At SummerSlam, Reigns gained his revenge, costing Sikoa a match with Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Title. Since then, Reigns has confronted Sikoa and his military at each present each side have appeared on.
But typically, issues aren’t all the time as they seem.
In 1995, Ric Flair was concerned in a bitter feud together with his finest pal and longtime Four Horsemen enforcer Arn Anderson. During their rivalry, Anderson joined up with Brian Pillman, and the 2 grew to become a thorn in Flair’s aspect till the Nature Boy enlisted the assistance of his rival Sting.
At that yr’s WCW Halloween Havoc, Sting and Flair had been alleged to face Flair’s alleged antagonists. But in the course of the match, Flair betrayed Sting. He joined forces with Anderson and Pillman, and collectively they battered Sting, in what turned out to be a well-laid plan to reform the Horsemen and torment Flair’s previous nemesis.
After dropping the Undisputed title to Rhodes at WrestleMania, it’s not arduous to fathom that, from a character standpoint, a diabolical plot was hatched to punish, torture, and in the end, dethrone Rhodes. It started with “The Wiseman” Paul Heyman graciously accepting defeat on behalf of Reigns on the SmackDown after WrestleMania. Things escalated when Heyman took a brutal beating from The Bloodline after refusing to acknowledge Sikoa because the Tribal Chief, following Sikoa presenting him with the Ula Fala.
That night time, Heyman requested a key query: Where did Sikoa get the Ula Fala? It was by no means defined how Sikoa obtained Reigns’ sacred Samoan necklace. And it was quickly forgotten as Sikoa and his crew put Heyman by a desk, sending him to the hospital. Even throughout Reigns’ public handle, he gave no particulars about how Sikoa obtained the Ula Fala. On SmackDown final Friday, all he supplied was, “Whether I have my family’s Ula Fala or not, I am the Tribal Chief! And you see, I’m not just the original Tribal Chief. I am the only Tribal Chief!”
As Ockham’s Razor explains, the only rationalization is often one of the best one. In this case, the only rationalization is that Reigns gave the Ula Fala to Sikoa so as to add credibility to their sinister plot to deceive Rhodes and lure him into a lure. That was additional enhanced by the beating Heyman endured.
What’s subsequent?
Assuming WWE strikes on this path, the following logical query is what’s subsequent. Last week, WWE unveiled the poster for the Survivor Series, which prominently options Reigns and Rhodes shut collectively. That may counsel that a championship rematch, and never one other Bloodline Civil War, is about to headline WWE’s fall traditional. Should that be the case, one other set of questions emerge relating to subsequent yr’s WrestleMania.
After this yr’s version of the Showcase of the Immortals, it was teased that Rhodes would ultimately face The Rock for the Undisputed Championship. Assuming Reigns double-crosses Rhodes and takes his title, one wonders what Rock, Reigns, and Rhodes will be doing in Las Vegas for WWE’s grand spectacular. Will the followers nonetheless get to see Rhodes face The Final Boss? What occurs to the much-anticipated dream match between Reigns and The Rock?
Ultimately, no matter occurs at Bad Blood on Oct. 5 will doubtless consequence from no matter WWE has deliberate for subsequent yr’s WrestleMania. But because it seems, Cody Rhodes might be following in his father’s footsteps — blinded by belief and fueled by the Aristocracy, solely to be betrayed by an previous foe. As the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished,” and Rhodes would possibly simply study that the arduous means.
