Will the real Tribal Chief please stand up? (2024)

“By orders of The Tribal Chief.”

That ominous catchphrase has become synonymous with Solo Sikoa after he began seizing control of The Bloodline from Roman Reigns following WrestleMania XL. Now, after an explosive episode of SmackDown where Jacob Fatu made his violent debut and Sikoa informed Paul Heyman that Reigns isn’t coming back, the question becomes:

Who really is The Tribal Chief?

This week’s edition of The Tribal Beat attempts to answer that question as summertime on the Island of Relevancy heats up.

Who is the Tribal Chief?

Roman Reigns

When Roman Reigns returned from a six-month pandemic hiatus in 2020, he seized control of WWE, his family, and his destiny. With a new attitude and Paul Heyman at his side, Reigns quickly captured the Universal Championship, demanding acknowledgment of his greatness from all, including his family.

His first conquest was his cousin Jey Uso, whom he defeated at Hell in a Cell to be named The Tribal Chief by Samoan elders Afa and his father, Sika. Under his leadership, Reigns formed The Bloodline, a dominant family faction including cousins Jimmy and Jey Uso and their younger brother, Solo Sikoa. Over the next several years, Reigns became WWE’s longest-reigning world champion in over 35 years, while the Usos achieved the longest tag team championship reign in WWE history, and Sikoa had a run as NXT North American champion.

After relinquishing the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania XL, Reigns has embarked on a longer-than-usual sabbatical. Since then, others have taken advantage of his absence to flex their authority, leaving some to wonder if Reigns is still the ruler of his tribe.

Solo Sikoa

Once dubbed by Reigns as The Tribal Heir, Sikoa began flexing his muscle at WrestleMania XL, as he barked at Reigns to finish off Bloodline rival Cody Rhodes. It was an odd scene coming from Reigns’ underling. Then, days later, with Reigns stepping away from WWE, Sikoa began his bid to become the Samoan dynasty’s new leader.

His first act was to expel Jimmy Uso from the group with the help of his recruit, Tama Tonga. Together, they turned their attention to tormenting Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. As Orton and Owens found their stride as a team, Sikoa further strengthened his faction by bringing in Tama’s brother and tag team partner, Tonga Loa.

Along the way, Sikoa bullied Paul Heyman, Reigns’ special counsel, into serving his new Bloodline. Despite Heyman’s warnings about recruiting dangerous men Reigns had previously rejected, Sikoa brought in Jacob Fatu, possibly the most volatile personality in the Anoa’i and Fatu family.

And there may be more to come.

Hikuleo, the former New Japan Wrestling star, and family to the Tongas, is also expected to join The Bloodline soon. Despite surrounding himself with Fatu and the team once known as the Guerrillas of Destiny, Sikoa risks becoming the victim of a coup, as Heyman repeatedly warns of the jackals circling him, who are also slowly outnumbering Sikoa.

Jacob Fatu

Jacob Fatu made a massive impact in his SmackDown debut last Friday by single-handedly destroying Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who claimed to have suffered two broken ribs from the attack.

However, for those doubting that it’s much too soon for Fatu to relieve Sikoa of his self-appointed status as The Head of the Table, there are several points to consider.

After decimating Rhodes, Sikoa hugged Fatu, but the gesture went unreciprocated. On social media, Sikoa’s father, Rikishi, posted a picture of the new Bloodline, prominently featuring Fatu at the forefront and a smaller-looking Sikoa behind him.

In another life, Fatu led the revised Samoan Swat Team in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he was considered one of the top unsigned wrestlers in North America. His in-ring prowess and charisma as a menacing bulldozer have many believing Fatu is wrestling’s next breakout star.

Thus, a role as a mere henchman might be beneath Fatu’s potential and could spell disaster for Sikoa, as Heyman subtly warns.

The Rock

In recent weeks, Paul Heyman has carefully advised Solo Sikoa to leave Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship pursuit to Roman Reigns upon his return. However, Sikoa insists that Reigns isn’t coming back, leaving Heyman shaken and upset.

However, Heyman’s claim that Rhodes and his title are for Reigns to handle doesn’t align with The Rock’s statements following WrestleMania XL. On the Raw after ‘Mania, the WWE Board of Directors member and self-glossed Final Boss casually removed Reigns from the title picture while reminding Rhodes what happened at night one of WrestleMania.

“You beat Roman Reigns right in the middle of the ring — one, two, three,” Rock said. “However, less than 24 hours before that, The Rock beat you in the middle of the ring — one, two, three. So, Cody Rhodes, your story with Roman Reigns is over. And you did it. But our story has just begun.”

Like Reigns, The Rock has since taken a sabbatical to film a movie. Meanwhile, Sikoa has begun stalking Rhodes, ostensibly to bring the title back to The Bloodline. But it raises these questions: Is Sikoa aiming to win the championship or weaken Rhodes for The Rock while seizing control of The Bloodline? When Sikoa and his allies say, “By orders of The Tribal Chief,” do they mean The Rock?

Plans for a Rock-Reigns showdown have long been in the works but were scrapped ahead of this year’s WrestleMania. However, this encounter remains a realistic possibility, and it could potentially decide the leadership of WWE and the right to lead the Samoan Dynasty as the undisputed Tribal Chief.

Who’s the real Tribal Chief? You Decide.

As the ongoing Bloodline family saga prepares to grip WWE all over again, we want to hear from you, Cagesiders. Who do you recognize as The Tribal Chief? Cast your vote in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section.