Paul Heyman

BY SACNILK

WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event will take place on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The special will stream live in the United States on Peacock at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT and on YouTube internationally. The first-ever Sunday Night’s Main Event is already shaping up around two singles matches: Cody Rhodes will face Randy Orton in their latest chapter, while Oba Femi will go one-on-one with Bron Breakker. The Atlanta show will continue several stories that have been developing across Raw and SmackDown. Rhodes and Orton have moved from former allies to bitter rivals, with Orton repeatedly targeting Cody and their singles match now set for September 6. Femi and Breakker, meanwhile, have been building toward a confrontation that Paul Heyman helped turn into an official match. WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event Atlanta Confirmed Match Card Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton is one of the two matches officially announced for Sunday Night’s Main Event. The rivalry has a long history, with Orton previously serving as one of the people who helped Cody early in his career before their relationship broke down. The current version of the feud has become personal. Orton has repeatedly gone after Rhodes, while Cody has been trying to put an end to the issue in the ring. The match will also have a homecoming feel for Rhodes, who is from Atlanta. WWE's promotion for the event specifically bills the match as Cody going to war with Orton. A win would give Cody another victory over Orton, but Orton has plenty of reason to make sure the match does not end cleanly. Their September 6 confrontation could therefore become another chapter rather than the final meeting between the two. Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker The second confirmed match is Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker. The two young stars have been moving toward a matchup after their recent confrontation on Raw, with Paul Heyman ultimately preventing them from fighting immediately and setting the match for Sunday Night’s Main Event. Femi enters the match after defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42, giving him another chance to establish himself against one of WWE's rising stars. Breakker, meanwhile, will be looking to show that he can handle Femi's size and physical style. This should be presented as a clash between two wrestlers WWE sees as future top-level singles competitors. The result could also determine which direction either man takes after the Atlanta event. Predicted Match Card Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa & LA Knight One of the strongest possibilities for the Atlanta card is a tag-team match involving Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa and LA Knight. The Bloodline story took another turn when Solo refused to simply return to Roman's side. The situation has since become even more complicated, with Solo attacking Roman while LA Knight has also been involved in the conflict. Jacob Fatu's recent hesitation to help Roman has added another question to the story. WWE could use the match to move the Bloodline story forward without immediately putting Roman and Solo into a singles match. A post-match betrayal involving Jacob Fatu would also be a possible way to create another twist. Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Becky Lynch Another possible addition is a Triple Threat Match involving Liv Morgan, Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch. The three women have been connected through the ongoing women's division storylines, and recent Raw developments have kept Vaquer and Lynch around Morgan's orbit. A match between the three would allow WWE to bring several ongoing issues together on one show. Where and When to Watch WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event United States: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT — Peacock United Kingdom & Ireland: 1:00 a.m. BST on Monday — YouTube India: 5:30 a.m. IST on Monday, September 7 — YouTube Australia: 10:00 a.m. AEST on Monday, September 7 — YouTube

BY SACNILK

Paul Heyman has spent decades working alongside some of WWE’s biggest stars, but he has never been comfortable with being labeled simply as a “manager.” During his appearance on Six Feet Under, Heyman explained why he deliberately tried to change the role rather than be defined by its traditional image. Heyman recalled breaking into the wrestling business in 1987, when several veterans told him that managing was becoming a dying role. He said J.J. Dillon, Jim Cornette, Dusty Rhodes and Jim Ross were among those who encouraged him to become a commentator instead. “When I broke in in 1987, I was told by everybody that, Be a commentator. Why? Because a manager is a dead role. Everyone told me this. J.J. Dillon told it to me. Jim Cornette told me. And literally, I mean...” Heyman said Vince McMahon also gave him similar advice, telling him that the traditional manager role was disappearing and would eventually be replaced by other types of on-screen personalities. “Oh, well, you gotta transition over to be a commentator or something, because that manager, it's a dying role. It's gonna be beautiful women, to accompany the men to the ring, and one or two very, very old-timers.” Rather than leave the role behind, Heyman decided to reshape it. He wanted his work to feel different from what previous managers had done and eventually developed his own approach to working with wrestlers. “So my goal early on was to change that role, was to evolve it into something else. You know, wrestlers weren't wrestlers. They were superstars. Right. Elevate the role, do something different with it. So I don't get compared to anybody else. So I can find my own niche in the business to where I can say I'm the best that's ever done that role.” Heyman also explained that when he returned as part of the Dangerous Alliance, he asked to be called the CEO of the Dangerous Alliance rather than a manager because he felt the title represented the past. “When I came back to being a manager, which was in the Dangerous Alliance, I asked to be the CEO of the Dangerous Alliance so that I wasn't labeled a manager. Because I always figured, wow, that's the past. Let's not call it a manager because I'm just reminding people of a role that no longer exists.”Heyman’s career has since seen him work alongside Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, CM Punk and other top WWE stars, with his role often extending far beyond simply speaking for them.

BY SACNILK

Roman Reigns’ transformation into The Tribal Chief changed the direction of his WWE career. After returning in 2020, Reigns aligned with Paul Heyman and moved away from the “Big Dog” persona that had defined much of his earlier run. He became a colder, more controlling figure who demanded understanding and established himself as the head of his family. Heyman has now explained that the character was not simply something Reigns performed during WWE television. The two worked on making Reigns understand The Tribal Chief so deeply that he could carry the character even when he was not cutting a promo or wrestling a match. While speaking on Six Feet Under with The Undertaker, Heyman recalled how he would deliberately speak to Reigns as The Tribal Chief during ordinary conversations, forcing him to think and respond as the character rather than simply memorizing lines. “When Roman and I first got put together, We would talk on the phone and at times I'd just out of the blue in the middle of a conversation talking about, you know, just how does your lawn look today? And just completely off topic, I'd say, what'd you have for breakfast today? Oh, you know, this many eggs and, you know, a bowl of oatmeal, whatever. Great, what did the tribal chief have? And I'd want him to talk to me as the tribal chief. And not just for a promo, like for five minutes. Talk to me for a while. Spend a half hour on the phone with me as the tribal chief. Do small talk with me as the tribal chief.” Heyman said the purpose was to make Reigns completely comfortable with the identity of the character. Instead of thinking about what Roman Reigns would say, he wanted Reigns to understand what The Tribal Chief would say and how he would behave in everyday situations. “Did the tribal chief take his kids to school today? Did the tribal chief pick his kids up from school today? What was that conversation like? So that just he learns how to... Walk in the skin of that character so much that he's just as comfortable being the tribal chief Roman Reigns as he is being Joe Anawai.” That approach became especially useful because The Tribal Chief was closely connected to Reigns’ real-life family background. Heyman explained that Reigns genuinely occupied a position of authority within the Anoaʻi family. “He is the head of his table. He is the tribal chief of that family. He legitimately is. And there always was. For a while, it was Afa and Sika together. Right. And Afa would handle the business, and Sika was the muscle. And then Rodney stepped up. Rodney, yeah. And for a while it was Junior. Junior was the undisputed head of that family for a long time. And it was time for Joe.” The partnership between Reigns and Heyman began in August 2020, shortly after Reigns returned from his hiatus. Heyman became his Special Counsel, later taking on the “Wise Man” identity, while Reigns built The Bloodline around his position as The Tribal Chief. The storyline eventually became one of WWE’s central stories for several years. Reigns’ battles with Jey Uso established the family dynamic, while The Usos, Solo Sikoa and other members of the Anoaʻi family were gradually brought into the story. Reigns’ championship run also became closely tied to the Bloodline narrative. Heyman believes the success came from treating every performer as an individual rather than trying to repeat what had worked with another wrestler. “What worked with Brock did not work with Roman. And what worked with Roman did not work with CM Punk. And what worked with CM Punk did not work with you or with Steve or with Rob Van Dam or anybody else that I've worked with. Everyone's an individual and we need to create and act like a marriage, like a professional marriage that I'm here to, if I understand my role right, I'm the supporting player.”

BY SACNILK

Paul Heyman has revealed more about the decision that transformed Roman Reigns from “The Big Dog” into “The Tribal Chief,” explaining why he believed Reigns could not simply return to the same character he had played for years. The change came in 2020, when Reigns returned to WWE after stepping away during the COVID-19 pandemic. He aligned himself with Heyman and soon began presenting himself in a completely different way. The character eventually became known as The Tribal Chief and went on to define one of the longest chapters of Reigns’ WWE career. During his appearance on Six Feet Under, Heyman explained that the change was not simply about turning Reigns heel. He believed the entire presentation had to evolve. Heyman recalled that when WWE was preparing to put him together with Reigns, Vince McMahon originally told him that Reigns was still “The Big Dog” and that Heyman would be his advocate. “In 2020, when COVID hit and the decision was made corporately, we are going to produce live television or live-to-tape television twice a week, Raw and SmackDown. And we're still going to do what was then called pay-per-views, now premium live events. And Brock's contract wrapped up just as the whole world shut down. And Vince made the business decision, we got to take a break for a while.” Heyman then explained how Reigns’ situation created an opportunity for something new. With Reigns having taken time away and WWE looking for a new direction, the two finally had the chance to work together. “And the opportunity arose at that time that Roman had taken so much time off. And the decision was made for us to finally work together. And when I asked Vince his vision for it, he just said, ‘He's the big dog and you're his advocate.’” Reigns had already spent years being presented as The Big Dog. He had been positioned as one of WWE's leading stars, but Heyman felt that simply attaching himself to the same version of Reigns would not create anything fresh. “The first thing I said was, he can't be the big dog anymore. We've run with the big dog since 2012. He needs to evolve into something completely different, and I can't be his advocate. I was Brock Lesnar's advocate. I must be something different to this character.” Heyman did not want to take the role he had previously played alongside Brock Lesnar and simply place it beside Reigns. He believed both sides of the presentation needed to change. His inspiration came from another famous WWE character transformation: The Undertaker going from the Deadman to the American Badass. Heyman explained that the transformation worked because WWE did not erase everything that came before. Instead, the company took an established character and allowed him to evolve as the wrestling audience changed. “And the examples that I continuously gave were, and this is what sold Vince on it, was the Deadman, the American Badass. It has to be that shocking of a metamorphosis. And it has to make sense. The Deadman grew into the American Badass because times had changed around him. The '90s had evolved and the audience wanted more.” The goal was not to pretend that The Big Dog had never existed. Instead, the new character would build on Reigns’ previous history while taking him somewhere completely different. “Even though that's a seismic shift in character, you never alienated the Deadman, you incorporated him into an evolved character. It's the same thing. It's a progression, it's a metamorphosis. It's, here's what I have on my resume. And here's where I've been, and now here's where I'd like to take you next.” Heyman revealed that he came up with the nickname, although McMahon initially questioned the idea. Recent comments from Heyman have also confirmed that McMahon initially wanted Reigns to remain The Big Dog rather than adopt the new nickname.

BY SACNILK

Paul Heyman has opened up about a private moment involving Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker following Lesnar’s latest WWE appearance, revealing why a phone call between the two meant so much to the legendary wrestler. Brock Lesnar’s latest WWE chapter came to an end at SummerSlam 2026, where he faced Oba Femi inside Hell in a Cell in what became his final match. After the bout, Lesnar raised Femi’s hand and called him the future, adding another memorable moment to the closing chapter of his WWE career. The loss came after Lesnar and Femi had already met twice, making their SummerSlam encounter the deciding match in their rivalry. Femi ultimately defeated Lesnar by pinfall inside Hell in a Cell, with the victory being presented as a passing-of-the-torch moment for the younger WWE star. During an appearance on Six Feet Under, Heyman joined The Undertaker and discussed Lesnar’s WWE journey, his relationship with the former WWE Champion, and what he believes makes Lesnar’s connection to the wrestling business different from how many fans perceive it. The conversation eventually turned to a phone call Lesnar made to The Undertaker shortly after SummerSlam. Heyman then explained why he felt the phone call was necessary. “There is a code of honor in this industry that if you are in there with someone that you can't even stand on a personal level, but you stand on the chair and you fall backwards, you know that person is going to catch you.” Heyman said that, in his view, the wrestling business has an unwritten code of trust between performers. Even when wrestlers may not have a close personal relationship, they still understand the responsibility that comes with sharing the ring and putting their safety in each other’s hands. “That phone call was a must,” Heyman said. “And I couldn't imagine the day going by without that phone call being placed.” The Undertaker appeared to agree with Heyman’s assessment, saying the gesture meant a great deal to him as an “old timer.” He also suggested that the moment showed another side of Lesnar that fans do not always get to see. The discussion came while Heyman and The Undertaker were reflecting on Lesnar’s career and his recent chapter in WWE. Heyman noted that Lesnar has often been portrayed as someone motivated primarily by money, contracts or his own schedule, but he believes that view overlooks Lesnar’s genuine respect for professional wrestling. Heyman pointed specifically to the phone call as evidence that Lesnar understands the traditions of the business. “I think he genuinely had to love this business,” The Undertaker said during the conversation, explaining how the call reinforced his view of Lesnar’s passion. Heyman also connected Lesnar’s relationship with current WWE star Oba Femi to the way he once worked with Lesnar himself. According to Heyman, Lesnar has now reached a point in his career where he understands the responsibility of passing knowledge and guidance to the next generation. The conversation also revisited Lesnar’s most famous WrestleMania accomplishment: ending The Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak at WrestleMania 30. Heyman argued that, regardless of everything else Lesnar achieved in wrestling and combat sports, that victory will always remain one of the defining moments of his career. He pointed out that Lesnar was an NCAA Division I heavyweight champion, became a WWE Champion, won the UFC Heavyweight Championship and competed in multiple WrestleMania main events. Yet, according to Heyman, none of those accomplishments compare with defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30. “It’s the greatest claim to fame,” Heyman said. “And it always will be when it comes to Brock Lesnar.”

BY SACNILK

WWE Monday Night Raw will take place on Monday, August 24, 2026, from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. However, fans will need to take note of a different start time this week, as Raw will begin at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Netflix, two hours earlier than its usual time. The earlier start is connected to WWE's plans to tape the following week's Friday Night SmackDown after Raw, with that episode scheduled to air on August 28. WWE has previously used double-taping arrangements around holiday periods to give its talent time off. The August 24 episode will continue several stories coming out of Raw on August 17. The World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament is moving into its semifinal stage, Stephanie Vaquer is set to return to singles action against Roxanne Perez after being attacked by The Judgment Day, and Oba Femi and Bron Breakker will put pen to paper ahead of their Sunday Night's Main Event match. WWE Raw 8/24/26 Confirmed Match Card World Heavyweight Championship Contender Tournament: Penta vs. LA Parka The World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament will continue with Penta taking on LA Parka in one of the semifinal matches. The winner will advance to the tournament final and move one step closer to earning a World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns. Penta advanced to the semifinals after defeating JD McDonagh on the August 10 episode of Raw. LA Parka, meanwhile, earned his place in the tournament after winning his opening-round match. The two will now meet with a place in the final at stake. World Heavyweight Championship Contender Tournament: Rey Fenix vs. Dragon Lee The other semifinal will see Rey Fenix face Dragon Lee. Both men advanced on the August 17 episode of Raw, with Fenix defeating El Fiscal and Dragon Lee defeating El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. The winner will advance to the tournament final and remain in contention to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship when Raw heads to Mexico City on September 14. That gives the semifinal another layer, particularly with both competitors coming off first-round victories. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez Stephanie Vaquer is set to return to the ring against Roxanne Perez. Vaquer's return comes after The Judgment Day attacked her during the August 17 episode of Raw. The situation involving Vaquer, Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch has continued to develop over the past several weeks. On the previous Raw, Becky attempted to help Vaquer when The Judgment Day went after her, but the situation ended with Morgan's group gaining control. WWE has now booked Vaquer for singles competition, giving her a chance to respond inside the ring. Oba Femi and Bron Breakker contract signing Raw will also feature a contract signing between Oba Femi and Bron Breakker ahead of their match at Sunday Night's Main Event. Their rivalry has been building since Femi confronted Breakker after stopping a beatdown on Raw earlier this month. Paul Heyman later announced that the two will meet at Sunday Night's Main Event, and the August 24 contract signing gives WWE an opportunity to add another chapter before their match. Predicted Match Card Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and LA Knight The Bloodline story could receive another segment following the events of last week's Raw. Solo Sikoa refused to fall back in line with Roman Reigns, and the situation ended with Solo Sikoa and LA Knight attacking Reigns and The Usos. A likely prediction is that Roman Reigns will address Solo and LA Knight, possibly leading to another confrontation. WWE could also use the segment to further establish what Solo wants after rejecting Roman's offer. Je'Von Evans vs. Big Cass Another possible match is Je'Von Evans vs. Big Cass. Big Cass has continued targeting Evans, and the issue escalated after Evans defeated JD McDonagh on the August 17 episode before being attacked afterward. A singles match would give WWE a way to continue their story while also giving Evans an opportunity to respond to Cass' attacks. Liv Morgan and The Judgment Day With Stephanie Vaquer now booked against Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan and The Judgment Day could remain involved in the women's division. A backstage confrontation or ringside appearance during Vaquer's match would fit the story that WWE established on August 17. Where and When to Watch WWE Raw WWE Raw airs live in the United States on Netflix at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT on Monday, August 24, rather than its usual 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT start time. The earlier broadcast is tied to WWE's double-taping plans for the following week's SmackDown. United States: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT on Monday on Netflix United Kingdom & Ireland: 11:00 PM BST on Monday on Netflix India: 3:30 AM IST on Tuesday, August 25, on Netflix Australia: 8:00 AM AEST on Tuesday, August 25, on Netflix Mexico: 4:00 PM CST on Monday on Netflix

BY SACNILK

Oba Femi and Bron Breakker will collide at WWE’s first-ever Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6. The match will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, with the special event scheduled to stream live at 8 p.m. ET. The match was made official during Monday night’s Raw after Femi and Breakker confronted each other in the ring. Breakker came out and called out Femi, challenging him to prove that he really is the future of WWE. Femi answered the challenge and reminded Breakker that even Brock Lesnar had recognized his potential. The two were ready to fight immediately, but Paul Heyman stepped in before the confrontation could turn into a match. Heyman explained that he had already spoken with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and had a bigger plan for them. Heyman announced that Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker would take place at Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6. There is plenty behind the confrontation. Femi is becoming WWE's voice after his recent rivalry with Brock Lesnar, while Breakker has been trying to re-establish himself as one of WWE’s top young stars. Their confrontation on Raw turned that competition into an official singles match. The other confirmed match for Sunday Night’s Main Event is Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton. WWE made that match official after Orton attacked Rhodes before his scheduled match against Sami Zayn on the August 14 episode of SmackDown. The fight spilled through the arena before Nick Aldis announced their singles match for Atlanta.

BY SACNILK

WWE Raw is set to return tonight, August 17, 2026, from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, with a loaded lineup featuring several matches and a major confrontation involving Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso. The show will take place tonight and will air live on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. WWE's official preview confirms the five announced matches and segments for the episode. The night's biggest storyline will see Jey Uso deliver Solo Sikoa to World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns after defeating Sikoa under controversial circumstances last week. Chad Gable will also put the Intercontinental Championship on the line against Rey Mysterio, while Rey Fenix faces El Fiscal and Dragon Lee takes on El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. in the first round of the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament. The tournament will determine who challenges Reigns when Raw heads to Mexico City on September 14. Sol Ruca will also go one-on-one with Lyra Valkyria following their confrontation last week. Monday Night Raw Results August 17, 2026 Stephanie Vaquer opened the show by calling out Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and demanding a fight. Morgan arrived with Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, and the numbers quickly became a problem for Vaquer. Becky Lynch came out to help, but tension between Lynch and Vaquer gave Judgment Day another opening. Morgan attacked Lynch, while Perez hit Vaquer with Pop Rox. Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa were shown backstage. The Usos prepared to take Solo to Roman Reigns, with LA Knight briefly crossing paths with them. Je’Von Evans vs JD McDonagh( W/OG Cutter) Je’Von Evans battled JD McDonagh after getting involved with Dominik Mysterio and calling out Big Cass. McDonagh focused on Evans’ injured leg, but Evans managed to fight through the damage. Evans eventually caught McDonagh with the OG Cutter for the win. Big Cass attacked him again afterward, but Evans fought back and even challenged Cass before Dominik helped Cass regain control. Winner: Je’Von Evans via pinfall Rey Fenix defeated El Fiscal - World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament Rey Fenix defeated El Fiscal with the Mexican Muscle Buster to advance in the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament. Fiscal gave Fenix a tougher fight than expected, but Fenix survived and moved into the semifinals. He will face the winner of Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Sol Ruca vs Lyra Valkyria Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria delivered a fast-paced match with both women getting strong stretches of offense. Valkyria nearly caught Ruca with her finishing move, but Ruca countered and eventually connected with the Sol Snatcher. Ruca picked up the victory in 10:50. Winner: Sol Ruca via pinfall Bron Breakker and Oba Femi Settle Their Argument Bron Breakker came to the ring and called out Oba Femi, insisting that Femi prove his claim that he is the future of WWE. Paul Heyman interrupted before things could turn into an immediate fight. Femi eventually appeared and told Breakker that even Brock Lesnar knows he is the future. Breakker wanted to fight him on the spot, but Heyman stopped the match from happening. Heyman revealed that he had already spoken with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and arranged Bron Breakker vs. Oba Femi for WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6. The winner will have a chance to prove who WWE's future really is. Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Dragon Lee and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. battled in a hard-fought tournament match, with both men exchanging offense throughout. Lee eventually caught Wagner with Operation Dragon to score the victory and advance to the semifinals, where he will face Rey Fenix. Winner:Dragon Lee via pinfall Chad Gable (c) vs. Rey Mysterio — Intercontinental Championship Chad Gable put the Intercontinental Championship on the line against Rey Mysterio in one of Raw’s featured matches. Mysterio used his speed to keep Gable under pressure, but the champion found a way to take control and shut down the challenger’s comeback. Gable eventually finished Mysterio to retain the Intercontinental Championship and continue his reign. Winner: Chad Gable Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline Roman Reigns arrived with Jacob Fatu and immediately demanded that Solo Sikoa be brought to him. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso then brought Solo into the ring. Roman reminded Solo of their previous Tribal Combat match and questioned why Solo was still standing in front of him rather than showing him respect. The Usos attacked Solo, and Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip before Roman told him to stop. Roman then placed black Ula Falas around Jey and Jimmy’s necks and praised them for what they had done. The focus returned to Solo, but LA Knight came out and confronted Roman. The Usos attacked Knight, while Fatu also got involved. Roman stopped Fatu from using the Tongan Death Grip on Knight before hitting Knight with a Superman Punch. Roman then ordered Solo to deal with Knight. Solo appeared ready to hit Knight with a Samoan Spike but turned and hit Roman Reigns instead. Solo then pulled out an air gun and confronted Jey. Knight hit Jimmy with a BFT, while Solo hit Jey with another Samoan Spike. Knight later hit Roman with a BFT of his own. Solo and Knight eventually left the ring together. Knight offered Solo a fist bump, which Solo accepted before saying, “Thank you.” Jacob Fatu remained standing in the corner and did not help Roman or the Usos.

BY SACNILK

For over a decade, Joe Anoa'i — better known as Roman Reigns — has been at the center of WWE's biggest storylines, biggest matches, and biggest business decisions. Few performers in the company's history have carried the weight of the brand quite the way he has, headlining WrestleMania after WrestleMania while the product built itself around his character arc. What makes his story stand out isn't just longevity; it's the sheer range of it — a career that has moved through nearly every phase a wrestler can go through, from hated pretender to beloved hero to a villain the audience couldn't look away from. From a breakout member of The Shield to the "Tribal Chief" who headlined the industry's most dominant title reign in modern history, his journey is one of the most complete stories WWE has ever told. Here are the ten moments that built him into the company's cornerstone — the wins, the setbacks, and the reinventions that turned Roman Reigns into the undisputed face of WWE. 1. The Shield Storms In — Survivor Series 2012 Roman Reigns made his main-roster debut on November 18, 2012, ambushing the ring alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to help CM Punk retain the WWE Championship. The Shield's arrival instantly reshaped WWE's landscape, and Reigns — the imposing enforcer of the trio — was immediately marked as a star in the making. 2. The Betrayal That Made Him a Singles Star — June 2014 On the June 2, 2014 episode of Raw, Seth Rollins turned on his Shield brothers, blasting Reigns with a steel chair and ending the faction. The split forced Reigns out of the group dynamic and into a singles push, setting him on the path WWE had been building toward: its next top guy. 3. Winning the Royal Rumble — January 2015 Reigns won the 2015 Royal Rumble Match, last eliminating Big Show, in a moment WWE clearly intended as a coronation. The reaction was famously divisive — fans openly rebelled against the push — but the match cemented WWE's commitment to making him the franchise's centerpiece, for better or worse. 4. Ending an Era — Defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 At WrestleMania 33 in 2017, Reigns beat The Undertaker in a No Holds Barred match, becoming only the second man ever to defeat the Deadman at WrestleMania. The Undertaker left his hat, coat, and gloves in the ring afterward — a symbolic passing of the torch that instantly raised Reigns' stature among the all-time greats. 5. The Torch-Passing Over John Cena — No Mercy 2017 In September 2017, Reigns defeated John Cena in a clean, hard-hitting match at No Mercy. Though it happened on a secondary pay-per-view, the bout is remembered as a definitive changing of the guard between WWE's dominant star of the 2000s–2010s and the man being groomed to replace him. 6. Finally Beating Brock Lesnar — SummerSlam 2018 After years of chasing him, Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to win the Universal Championship at SummerSlam 2018. It was the validation moment fans had waited years for — proof that Reigns could beat the company's most dominant "conqueror" for the top title. 7. The Leukemia Announcement — October 2018 Weeks after winning the title, Reigns stunned the wrestling world on the October 22, 2018 Raw by revealing his leukemia had returned and relinquishing the Universal Championship to focus on his health. The raw, emotional moment humanized him overnight, transforming public perception and rallying the entire industry behind him. 8. The Reinvention — SummerSlam 2020 and the Birth of the Tribal Chief After stepping away for COVID-19 precautions and missing WrestleMania 36, Reigns returned at SummerSlam 2020 with a shocking heel turn, aligning with Paul Heyman and attacking Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman. This rebirth as "The Tribal Chief" — colder, more calculated, and unapologetically dominant — is widely regarded as the true beginning of his prime and the character work that finally won over the audience. 9. Breaking Brock Lesnar's Record — January 2022 On January 16, 2022, Reigns surpassed Brock Lesnar's 503-day reign to become the longest-reigning Universal Champion in WWE history. It was statistical proof of just how thoroughly he had taken over the company at the top of the card. 10. Unifying the Titles — WrestleMania 38 At WrestleMania 38 in 2022, Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to also capture the WWE Championship, unifying it with his Universal Championship to become the first-ever Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. It was the culmination of nearly two years of storytelling and confirmed him, definitively, as the face of the entire promotion.

BY SACNILK

In an interview, WWE's Nick Aldis reflected on the early days of his run as SmackDown General Manager, revealing how a pivotal on-screen exchange with Roman Reigns helped shape the tone of his character — and recounting the chaotic backstage story behind his first meeting with Vince McMahon. WWE Superstar Nick Aldis spoke to Chris Van Vliet and described a now-famous couch segment with Reigns as a genuinely significant moment for him professionally. He praised Reigns as meticulous and deeply thoughtful about every detail of his on-screen presence, crediting Paul Heyman's influence for helping shape that approach. Aldis said he felt real gratitude toward Reigns, noting that Reigns didn't have to extend him that level of trust in establishing the GM character, but chose to. The interview then turned to a story from very early in his tenure — by his own estimate, just a month or six weeks into the job — involving Randy Orton's arrival on SmackDown. Aldis explained that strict staging instructions were coming down at the time about where he and Heyman should stand during a live segment. Just before they went live, word came through again insisting he stay in the background while Heyman took the foreground. He recalled Heyman being amused by the directive, and Aldis feeling he had no real choice but to comply with seconds to air. The segment reportedly went off well, with Paul "Triple H" Levesque doing the opposite of what was expected in a way that sold the moment. That day, Aldis said, turned out to be the first time he ever met Vince McMahon in person — who was there watching. Aldis admitted he spent the moments afterward dreading the encounter, assuming McMahon would be furious they'd deviated from instructions. Instead, he said McMahon was gracious and complimentary about the segment, which left Aldis feeling conflicted given how much credit he felt Heyman deserved. Asked about Reigns couch segment, Aldis explained it emerged from an improvised back-and-forth where Reigns needled him about his feelings, prompting him to fire back, "but I'm an executive. I don't have feelings, you know." He said the line was meant to establish his character as a cold, businesslike executive, citing shows like Suits and Succession as influences on that steely persona — cool, cutthroat, and, in his own description, ultimately someone who's emotionally shut off. At WWE SummerSlam 2026 (Night 1, August 1, in Minneapolis), Nick Aldis wrestled in a match despite his in-ring absence of almost three years,, taking on Gunther. He came up short against Gunther, succumbing to Gunther's sleeper hold submission. Despite the loss, it was described as a dream match turned nightmare, with fans firmly behind him throughout. Following the loss, Aldis reportedly tried to resign as SmackDown General Manager, but Triple H (Paul Levesque) wouldn't allow it, telling Aldis he respected what he did at SummerSlam and wanted him to remain GM. On future plans, it is being suggested that Aldis could wrestle in WWE again, with sources in the company not believing he was "one and done." Aldis was said to have been banged up coming out of the match, and no timeline has been confirmed for when he'd wrestle next.

BY SACNILK

Despite Brock Lesnar publicly stating that his in-ring career is over, it sounds like the door hasn't fully closed inside WWE. According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, there are high-ranking officials within the company who still believe Lesnar will be involved with WrestleMania 43 in some capacity. One source noted that if another match isn't in the cards, the idea of Lesnar headlining the WWE Hall of Fame in Saudi Arabia is certainly on the table. Lesnar's road to this point has been anything but straightforward. He appeared to be heading toward retirement back at WrestleMania 42 after losing to Oba Femi, going as far as removing his gloves and boots in the ring in an emotional farewell moment with Paul Heyman by his side. Instead of staying away, though, Lesnar returned weeks later to run it back with Femi, setting up a rubber match to close out their trilogy. That decider came at SummerSlam 2026 Night One on August 1 in Minneapolis, Lesnar's home state, where the two collided in a brutal Hell in a Cell match. Femi got the better of him, and Lesnar responded by embracing his opponent and telling the crowd he was passing the torch, calling himself "the past" and Femi "the future." Three days later, on the August 4 edition of The Pat McAfee Show, Lesnar made it official, confirming that Saturday's match truly was his last as an in-ring competitor and that he considers himself retired from the business entirely. Retirement announcements from Lesnar aren't new — his WrestleMania 42 exit was widely read as a career send-off too, only for him to return a month later. Given that history, it's perhaps no surprise that some within WWE aren't ready to rule out one more appearance next April, even if it doesn't come in the form of a match. A Hall of Fame induction in Saudi Arabia would fit neatly with WWE's continued push into the region and would allow the company to give Lesnar a proper send-off without asking a 48-year-old with a well-documented list of physical wear and tear to get back in the ring. For now, nothing is close to confirmed, but it's clear the door hasn't been shut on one more Brock Lesnar moment at WrestleMania season.

BY SACNILK

The fallout from WrestleMania 40 continued to shake up SmackDown this week, with a major change to the landscape of The Bloodline.## Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Paul Heyman kicked off the night with an in-ring segment addressing their loss and the subsequent eviction from their locker room by the new champion, Cody Rhodes. Heyman attempted to maintain order, reminding Sikoa that "wins and losses matter" and regaining championship gold was the key to reclaiming their space.## However, tensions flared as Sikoa questioned the consequences for losing, particularly after Jimmy Uso's defeat at the hands of Jey Uso at WrestleMania. Suddenly, a hooded figure attacked Jimmy Uso, and the identity was soon revealed to be Tama Tonga, son of Haku and a former NJPW star.## This shocking debut was followed by a vicious assault on Jimmy Uso by both Sikoa and Tonga, leaving him laid out despite Heyman's protests against the violence. Notably, Tonga, while not an Anoa'i family member by blood, has been acknowledged as honorary family by The Rock and Roman Reigns in the past.## The segment concluded with Sikoa asserting his dominance within the group. He smacked Heyman's phone out of his hand and stomped on it, sending a clear message that decision-making within The Bloodline may have shifted.## The future of The Bloodline and its impact on SmackDown remain to be seen, but one thing is certain: the WWE Universe can expect fireworks in the weeks to come. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...