With the Bloodline Saga having moved to its next phase, it’s time to start chronicling what has changed since WrestleMania. To do that here, Tanya of the Suplexes and Shea Butter Podcast has once again lent us her talents. You can find her at @TheWitchMilitia on Twitter. Check out Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here,, Part 5 here, and Part 6 here.
Narcissist:
an extremely self-centered person who has an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Gaslighting:
psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one’s emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator
Fear of abandonment:
an intense and persistent anxiety that people close to you will leave or reject you. It can be caused by a number of factors, including: childhood trauma, inconsistent emotional support, attachment style, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Now, when you read this title and then these three definitions, the first name that pops in your head is obviously the former WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. Much digital ink has been spilled detailing exactly how the OTC fits every one of these terms. And you would be correct! Much of who Reigns is today was shaped by his betrayal at the hands of his Shield brother Seth Rollins and his many, many battles to climb to the top in WWE.
However, these terms, some more than others, also apply to the current Bloodline 2.0 Tribal Chief Solo Sikoa. Don’t believe me? Well, let’s examine! First of all, he chose the name SOLO when it is well known that he is a part of the Fatu family. And his reasoning was he had to go it on his own. He dubbed himself the Street Champion because he had to survive on the streets while his family were too busy being WWE Superstars. This is eerily similar to Roman’s “One versus All” motto he adopted while, once again, the Usos at least always had each other.
As current Tribal Chief, Solo is much less abusive to the Tongans and Jacob Fatu than Roman had been with the Usos. And that may be because BOTH had their justified (at least in their minds) reasons to take out frustrations on Jimmy and Jey. While Roman abused the twins while they served under him, Solo abuses the twins as an enemy. Both Solo and Roman use their familial status to gaslight the twins, saying their harsh treatment is being done out of love and they are the only ones who can move the family forward.
Countless times, Roman has claimed that only HE is the Head of the Table and HE is the one who feeds the family, something that Solo has echoed about himself since Roman lost at WrestleMania 40. Solo’s sense of importance may have been ignited once Roman named him Tribal Heir. Due to being abandoned by family (yet again) in the aftermath of Roman’s loss, Solo decided that only HE can take Roman’s place as Chief.
Roman ruled at the top of WWE for nearly four years. He has shown narcissistic traits. He definitely gaslit the twins, Sami Zayn, and even Solo. All of this due to past traumas from former allies and hardships in career, all shaped from a philosophy he gained from his elders, including the Rock. But he also has his Wiseman, Paul Heyman, so his methods were always measured and calculated.
Solo, on the other hand, has no Wiseman. In fact, his right hand man is an unhinged Samoan Werewolf who loves him unconditionally and will do ANYTHING for him. If he had a plan as Tribal Chief, other than beating the OG Bloodline into acknowledging him, it is certainly not a clear one. Sitting under Roman’s learning tree may have lead Solo to become even more dangerous for WWE than the OTC could ever be. Because he has all the traits Roman has and so far none of his success, making him and his Bloodline even more desperate to reach it.
Only time will tell if Solo can reach the heights of his predecessor. One thing is certain: if the OG Bloodline cannot defeat Solo and his Bloodline in War Games, there is no telling who will be their next victims. And recently adding a volatile man like Bronson Reed may prove to be Solo’s most dangerous move yet. It is the most dangerous aspect of Solo: he does not care who he adds to the group as long as they follow his word as holy writ.
As far as the OTC goes, a lot of fans insist that he apologize, especially to Jey Uso, for his past actions. I think these fans fail to recognize that an apology means nothing if it is not sincere. It is obvious that while Roman is not currently being abusive, he does not regret the way he handled things. In his mind, it worked. He was the most successful he had ever been with that mentality. I fear Roman saw himself as a victim of circumstance before becoming the Tribal Chief, always reacting to what was done to him and not being proactive. In my estimation, he is deathly afraid of being the sucker he was as the Big Dog. From Roman’s point of view apologizing means he was wrong and he cannot be wrong if he and the Usos were at their most successful when he was his most abusive. He has not fully gone back to how he was because he wants to take out Solo and cannot do it alone. He is trying to adhere to others boundaries but, every now and then, he cannot help but to revert back.
Both Roman and Solo have the most interesting character developments in this entire Bloodline story to me. They are two men with similar issues, one groomed to be who he is by the other, doing battle to lead the family. Unfortunately for both, I fear an even bigger narcissist is due to return at any moment to steal their spotlight, as he is known to do. And analyzing him would probably give me a headache.
Stroke of Genius 