On October 2, 2020, at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Roman Reigns confronted his cousin Jey Uso on WWE SmackDown, demanding recognition as the Tribal Chief. The intense segment showcased the unfolding family drama and set the stage for their upcoming Hell in a Cell match. The focus keyword, Jey Uso Tribal Chief Acknowledgment, became central as Reigns insisted on Jey’s acceptance of his leadership role within the WWE universe.
The event, taped in the WWE Thunderdome and aired on the Fox Network, began with Roman Reigns and his advocate Paul Heyman entering the ring. Heyman emphasized the significance of Reigns as not only the Universal Heavyweight Champion but also the undisputed Tribal Chief, evoking respect for the Samoan wrestling lineage. Despite Heyman’s praise, Reigns rejected being called Tribal Chief by anyone but Jey, signaling a deeply personal demand.
Family Turmoil and Emotional Confrontation Between Reigns and Jey Uso
Jey Uso entered the ring acknowledging his physical defeat at the Clash of Champions but asserted his unbroken spirit and readiness to continue fighting. Roman Reigns expressed that their night at the Clash had been the worst moment of his career and life, revealing a complicated mix of pride and regret while stressing that his actions were intended to elevate Jey’s career and provide for his family.
Reigns declared,
I love you more than your brother loves you,
demonstrating his deep family ties. He proceeded to explain that all he ever wanted was for Jey to recognize him as the Tribal Chief, stating,
All I wanted to do was raise you up. And all you had to do was acknowledge me as the Tribal Chief.
Reigns described the title as his birthright earned through relentless effort, rather than something simply handed to him. In this raw exchange, the wrestling storyline blurred with genuine emotion, making the challenge for acceptance both personal and professional.
Challenge Set for Hell in a Cell with History-Making Stakes
Roman Reigns offered Jey another chance to compete inside the infamous Hell in a Cell structure, promising the highest stakes in WWE history. Their emotional embrace followed, during which Reigns whispered something in Jey’s ear that visibly moved his cousin. Reigns then exited the ring, leaving Jey to respond by accepting the challenge with the words,
Whatever the stakes are, you’re on.
The atmosphere underscored the intensity of their rivalry, with announcers Michael Cole and Corey Graves debating the gravity of the upcoming match, emphasizing the unpredictability and severity that a Hell in a Cell match represents in WWE’s storytelling tradition.
Interference and Rivalries: A.J. Styles Challenges Jey Uso
Just as tensions peaked, A.J. Styles interrupted, questioning the importance of tribal leadership and the Universal Title, suggesting Jey was less qualified and encouraging him to resign himself to being the “runt” compared to his brother. A physical altercation erupted with Jey tackling Styles, displaying further layers of conflict extending beyond family disputes.
Jey Uso’s Victory Over A.J. Styles Builds Momentum
In the night’s opening match, Jey Uso faced A.J. Styles. Despite Styles’ experience and reputation, Jey displayed resilience and agility, countering early attacks and executing signature moves like the running dive and superkick. Jey secured a clean win with a top rope frog splash after 11 minutes of competitive action.
This victory, analyzed by commentator Wade Keller, served to elevate Jey’s credibility ahead of his high-stakes rematch against Roman Reigns, reinforcing his status as a serious contender and adding depth to the familial conflict underpinning the event.
Additional Notable Matches and Storylines on the Card
The show featured multiple other storylines running parallel to the Reigns-Uso saga:
- Otis vs. John Morrison: Otis dominated this short match, finishing Morrison quickly with his signature Caterpillar elbow drop, though some analysts felt Morrison could have been showcased longer to build credibility.
- Chad Gable vs. Sheamus: Sheamus secured a swift victory with two Brogue Kicks, and a potential future Falls Count Anywhere match against Big E was teased.
- Kevin Owens Show with Alexa Bliss: Owens interviewed Bliss, highlighting a dark transformation fueled by the mysterious Fiend character, with Bliss describing her captivating yet terrifying experience under his influence.
- Sasha Banks and Bayley Feud: Banks challenged Bayley, expressing disdain over Bayley’s reliance on her and promising a one-on-one SmackDown championship match.
- Sami Zayn vs. Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Title: Sami retained his title after a hard-fought contest involving strategic and risky moves, including Hardy’s dangerous interaction with a missing turnbuckle pad.
Character Developments and Backstage Highlights Enhance the Show’s Depth
Behind the scenes and in backstage segments, multiple wrestlers prepared and reflected on their situations, adding texture to the show’s atmosphere. Matt Riddle, Lince Dorado, and Gran Metalik discussed the challenges of a WWE career as a marathon. Carmella reintroduced herself with a confident attitude, rejecting a “princess” persona to embrace an untouchable status.
The WWE Draft was heavily promoted, suggesting upcoming roster shifts and future storylines, while the anticipation for next week’s big matches was heightened by commentators presenting the Thunderdome as a state-of-the-art arena optimized for fan immersion.
Significance of the Tribal Chief Acknowledgment and Future Implications
The demand for Jey Uso to recognize Roman Reigns as Tribal Chief represents a pivotal emotional and storyline moment within WWE, intertwining real family lineage with scripted rivalry to intense effect. This narrative layer enriches the competition and personal stakes, moving beyond traditional wrestling rivalries into a realm of complex family dynamics and honor.
With Hell in a Cell looming as the next chapter, the match promises to be one of WWE’s most consequential and emotionally charged confrontations, potentially redefining Roman Reigns’ role as a leader and elevating Jey Uso’s place within the company. The outcome is expected to resonate through future storylines and fan engagement.
