WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi shared his candid views on the evolving Bloodline storyline during his Rikishi Fatu Off The Top podcast, focusing on the stalled trajectory of Jacob Fatu and the recent developments involving Solo Sikoa. He questioned WWE’s creative approach, particularly regarding Solo’s short United States Championship reign and the larger family dynamics within the faction.
Rikishi challenged the decisions made while Solo Sikoa held the title, suggesting the company missed an opportunity to capitalize fully on his potential.
“Did we really, really give Solo something? When he won the strap, what did we do? What did the booking committee do? What did the company do?”
he asked, underscoring a disconnect between talent and booking choices shaped by business priorities.
Jacob Fatu’s Momentum Halted After Promising Debut
Rikishi expressed strong disappointment over WWE’s handling of Jacob Fatu’s momentum following his explosive debut. After a cage match against Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam, Fatu disappeared from television for nearly a month, a move Rikishi criticized as detrimental to his rising star. He described Fatu’s initial push as fiery and well-supported but lamented the sudden halt, likening it to an abrupt vanishing act.
“What would happen to Jacob? Jacob comes out, he’s steaming. They got everything behind him. They just lighting this kid up on fire. Everything they threw at this kid, he came correct… and all of a sudden, poof, like a Houdini move,”
Rikishi said.
Since his recent SmackDown return, marked by an attack on Drew McIntyre, Rikishi urged WWE to fully commit to showcasing Fatu’s capabilities, highlighting his adaptability and potential star appeal.
“No doubt Jacob can work with anybody, absolutely anybody. If it’s done right again, this kid here has got talent… I still don’t think they have booked him with the right people and lit gasoline up behind him. It’s just been little teases… You can see the top of the hill, but you ain’t got over yet. He should be in the house having some sweet tea by now,”
Rikishi remarked.
The Usos’ Reunion Resonates with Fans and WWE
The reunion of Rikishi’s sons, The Usos, was another key topic, where he identified the moment as both emotionally powerful for wrestling audiences and highly profitable for WWE. Rikishi credited their charisma and authenticity, which resonate beyond traditional wrestling fans and into wider media arenas. He pointed to the merging of their classic Day One Ish chants with Jey Uso’s popular Yeet catchphrase as examples of their lasting cultural impact.
“It’s a beautiful thing for the fans and a cash cow for the company… They’re in high demand across all forms of media because of their connection to that urban life,”
Rikishi explained.
Speculation About Jey Uso’s Future Leadership Role
Rikishi also addressed rumors suggesting Jey Uso might be the next Tribal Chief of The Bloodline, following Roman Reigns’ recent Raw appearance where he shared a private moment with Jey. Though not revealing much, Rikishi hinted at dramatic upcoming shifts in the faction’s storyline, urging fans to stay attentive.
“That’s going to be a story to follow very, very close, because there’s so many twists and turns. Something is about ready to blow up. And it might be Bloodline 2026,”
he said.
Looking Ahead to The Bloodline’s Next Chapter
Concluding his analysis, Rikishi suggested WWE is carefully monitoring fan reactions before advancing the Bloodline narrative into its next stage. His comments imply that the faction’s future could hold significant surprises and a powerful new direction, keeping audiences engaged in what could become an intense and defining wrestling saga.
