Roman Reigns

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

WrestleMania 42 drew 97,126 fans across its two nights at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, according to newly released figures from the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, reported by Brandon Thurston. The number marks a clear drop from the 118,641 attendees recorded for WrestleMania 41, meaning this year's event drew 21,515 fewer fans across the two nights. Brandon Thurston reported 47,093 fans for Saturday, April 18, and 50,033 for Sunday, April 19. Compared with WrestleMania 41, Saturday was down from 58,538, while Sunday's figure fell from 60,103. Overall, the new figures represent an 18.1% year-over-year decline based on the Stadium Authority's numbers. Despite the lower attendance figure, WrestleMania 42 still featured a packed two-night lineup with several of WWE's biggest names. Night One was headlined by Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Rhodes managed to retain the title that also involved Pat McAfee. The situation did not end with the final bell, however, as Orton attacked Rhodes and delivered a Punt Kick to the champion after the match. The first night also featured Gunther defeating Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan defeating Stephanie Vaquer for the Women's World Championship, and Becky Lynch defeating AJ Lee to win the Women's Intercontinental Championship. Paige also made her WWE return and teamed with Brie Bella to win the Women's Tag Team Championship. The second night featured Roman Reigns defeating CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship, while Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar in one of the night's featured singles matches. Penta also retained the Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder Match against Je'Von Evans, Dragon Lee, Rusev, JD McDonagh and Rey Mysterio. The latest numbers add another data point to the discussion surrounding WWE's decision to hold WrestleMania in Las Vegas for a second consecutive year. WrestleMania 41 also took place at Allegiant Stadium, but the Stadium Authority recorded 118,641 attendees across the two nights. The decline was not entirely unexpected. WWE President Nick Khan previously acknowledged that bringing WrestleMania back to the same venue in consecutive years could affect the event, saying the decision was ultimately his and suggesting the company might not repeat the arrangement. Even with the decline, WrestleMania 42 remained one of the biggest events in WWE history. The latest figures do, however, show that the Las Vegas return did not bring the same attendance level as the previous year's WrestleMania, with the Stadium Authority recording more than 21,000 fewer attendees across the two nights.

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

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

Je'Von Evans has made it clear that his goals in WWE go far beyond simply becoming a champion. The young star wants to establish himself as one of the greatest wrestlers the company has ever seen, and when discussing the wrestlers he studies, Evans pointed to Roman Reigns as someone who has already left a lasting mark on WWE. During his recent interview, Evans was asked who he considers the greatest wrestler of all time. While he named Shawn Michaels as his personal choice, he also praised Reigns when discussing the current generation and explained why he has so much respect for the former Undisputed WWE Champion. Evans credited Reigns with helping change WWE during a period when the company was dealing with declining viewership and revenue. He believes Reigns' return and transformation into his Tribal Chief character changed the way WWE presented its top star. “Roman, bro, he came back into the game and, bro, he carried WWE for like, I would even say four or five years. Like, he's doing his thing.” Evans then explained that Reigns did more than simply become a successful champion. In his view, the former world champion changed the overall feel of WWE and developed a presence that could connect with different generations of fans. “He changed the game. He changed the swagger, bro, of WWE. He changed everything.” Evans also compared Reigns' ability to draw reactions to that of John Cena, pointing out that both stars can step away from WWE and still return to major reactions from the audience. “No matter what, bro, like kind of like Cena, for real. Like no matter what, bro, he can take a break, come back and still get that big reaction.” The comments about Reigns also connect to Evans' goal of becoming the greatest WWE wrestler of all time. The 22-year-old has repeatedly spoken about wanting to build a career that places him among the biggest names in company history. Evans revealed that he is studying Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes and Triple H as he prepares for the future. He particularly admires the way Reigns understands WWE's changing audience and believes that Reigns has found a way to appeal to both longtime wrestling fans and newer viewers. “Roman for sure because he's so, like I said, he changed the game. So he kind of understands that this is not like a old fan base anymore... he knows how to kind of get the new fans and the old fans.” For Evans, Roman Reigns represents more than a potential future opponent. He is someone the young WWE star believes he can learn from as he works toward reaching the level of success he has set for himself.

BY SACNILK

Solo Sikoa made a shocking decision on Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, refusing to fall back in line with Roman Reigns before turning against his former Bloodline leader. Sikoa then left the ring alongside LA Knight after helping take down Roman and The Usos. The segment had been set up by Jey Uso’s victory over Sikoa the previous week. As part of their agreement, Jey was supposed to deliver Solo to Roman Reigns, leading to the long-awaited meeting between the two family members on Raw. WWE had promoted the confrontation throughout the week. Roman eventually came face-to-face with Solo and made it clear that he expected Sikoa to return to his side. The situation broke down when LA Knight entered the picture, bringing the Usos and Jacob Fatu into the confrontation. Roman ordered Solo to deal with Knight, but Sikoa refused to follow the order. Instead, Solo hit Roman with a Samoan Spike, turning the confrontation against The Bloodline. Knight then joined Solo as the fight spread around the ring. Solo and Knight eventually cleared the ring and walked away together. Knight offered Solo a fist bump, which Sikoa accepted before telling him, “Thank you.” Jacob Fatu remained in the corner and did not help Roman or The Usos during the final moments. The ending leaves Solo Sikoa on his own rather than returning to Roman Reigns, while LA Knight now appears to have an unexpected ally against The Bloodline.

BY SACNILK

Jey Uso has one final piece of business to handle on tonight's episode of WWE Raw. After beating Solo Sikoa last week in a match that carried major consequences for Sikoa's future, Jey is now responsible for taking him back to Roman Reigns. With Reigns returning to Raw and Solo having spent weeks resisting his family's attempts to bring him back into The Bloodline, their meeting could quickly become something far more complicated than a forced reunion. The story has been building for weeks. Roman Reigns previously ordered Jacob Fatu to bring Solo back into The Bloodline, but Sikoa repeatedly rejected the invitation and made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with his family. WWE’s own storyline recap noted that Sikoa had openly refused to return, while Fatu and The Usos were tasked with getting him back into the group. That makes tonight particularly interesting. Jey has already done his part by defeating Solo, and the stipulation now puts Sikoa directly in front of Reigns. A direct reunion would be the obvious direction. But there are several ways WWE could turn this into something much bigger. 1. LA Knight Helps Solo Sikoa Turn the Tables on Roman Reigns LA Knight could be the most interesting outside factor in this story. Knight already has history with Solo and The Bloodline. WWE previously booked Knight alongside Sikoa and Royce Keys against Jacob Fatu and The Usos at SummerSlam, while the storyline also posted that Knight's relationship with The Usos had deteriorated as Jey and Jimmy aligned themselves with Reigns and The Bloodline. That gives WWE an easy way to connect Knight to tonight's situation. The idea would be simple: Roman expects Jey to deliver Solo, perhaps believing that Sikoa will finally fall back in line. Solo could play along for a moment before the situation changes. Knight then appears and attacks Reigns, giving Sikoa an opening to escape. This wouldn't necessarily mean Solo and Knight become permanent allies. It could simply establish that both men have a problem with Reigns. Knight also has a reason to get involved because Roman is currently the World Heavyweight Champion. WWE's title history lists Reigns as the champion since April 19, 2026, and Raw is already building toward the next challenger for his championship. A confrontation involving Knight and Reigns would therefore give WWE a way to keep their eventual title program moving while also giving Solo a fresh direction. 2. Oba Femi Could Enter the Roman Reigns Story Another possibility is Oba Femi. The King of the Ring winner has already been positioned as one of WWE's biggest rising stars. Femi defeated Jey Uso in the King of the Ring final, and WWE previously presented him as someone who could choose between challenging Roman Reigns or another world champion. His presence around this story would also make sense because WWE has already been building toward Femi becoming a major singles star. At SummerSlam, he defeated Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell, with Lesnar himself declaring that Femi was the future. So imagine Solo refuses Roman's offer again. Before Reigns can deal with him, Oba Femi walks out. Femi doesn't necessarily need to help Solo. He could simply make it clear that Roman's attention is in the wrong place. The two could have a confrontation that establishes Femi as another man coming for the World Heavyweight Championship. That would give WWE a completely different direction. Instead of using Solo only to continue the Bloodline story, WWE could use tonight to put Roman in the middle of a growing title picture involving Femi and potentially LA Knight. 3. Zilla Fatu Arrives and Changes the Bloodline Story Zilla Fatu is the wild card. His WWE debut on NXT has already attracted attention because of his family connection. He's Umaga's son and belongs to the same extended wrestling family as Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso. That makes tonight an interesting opportunity. WWE doesn't necessarily need Zilla to attack anyone. His appearance alone could send a message. Imagine Roman trying to convince Solo to return to the family when Zilla suddenly appears. Roman could look at him as another potential member of the next version of The Bloodline, while Solo could see the arrival as another sign that his place in the family is being replaced. There's also the possibility that Zilla chooses Solo's side. That would immediately give Sikoa someone younger and hungry to stand beside him, while creating a fresh family rivalry around Roman. It may be early for Zilla to become a full-time part of the main-event Bloodline story, but the timing is certainly interesting after his NXT debut.

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

AJ Styles believes LA Knight is ready for another opportunity at the top of WWE, insisting that “The Megastar” has all the qualities needed to become a world champion. Styles discussed Knight's current position in WWE during the latest episode of The AJ Styles Show, where he was asked about the possibility of Knight eventually facing Roman Reigns again. While Styles did not confirm that WWE has plans for another match between the two, he made it clear that he believes Knight is more than prepared for a world championship opportunity. Styles has previously shared the ring with both men, giving his assessment of Knight's potential some added weight. The former WWE Champion believes Knight has reached a point in his career where he should be seriously considered for the company's biggest championship. “I’ve never seen anybody more ready to be a champion right now than LA Knight,” Styles said. “I know I keep harping on this, but I can’t be the only one that thinks this way. He’s got all the tools. Give him the opportunity.” According to Styles, Knight understands what would be expected of him if he were to become a world champion. That includes not only defending the championship but also representing WWE outside the ring. “He knows what comes with being a champion. He’s got it. And I’m not just talking about holding the heavyweight championship around your waist,” Styles explained. “When it comes to interviews and what you got to do to represent the WWE, he has those tools to be able to get it done and I think he’d do it flawlessly.” Knight has also already experienced what it is like to challenge Roman Reigns for a world championship. The two faced each other at Crown Jewel in 2023, with Reigns retaining the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship after interference from The Bloodline. The match helped establish Knight as a legitimate main-event performer, even though he ultimately failed to capture the championship. Now, the possibility of another encounter has become interesting again. Reigns is currently the World Heavyweight Champion, while Knight remains involved in WWE's world championship picture. Recent WWE storylines have also kept the two names in the same conversation, with Knight's championship ambitions continuing to be part of his character.

BY SACNILK

WWE Monday Night Raw returns this week on August 17, 2026, live from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The show streams live on Netflix in the United States starting at 8:00 PM ET, continuing the post-SummerSlam build as several ongoing storylines head toward their next chapter. The card is headlined by Chad Gable defending his newly won Intercontinental Championship against Rey Mysterio, alongside two first-round matches in the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament, a Women's Intercontinental Championship match between Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria, and the long-awaited return of Roman Reigns, who is set to be on hand as Jey Uso delivers Solo Sikoa to him following weeks of Bloodline fallout. WWE Raw 8/17/26 Confirmed Match Card WWE Intercontinental Championship: Chad Gable (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Gable won the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam by defeating Penta, and he wasted no time lining up his first challenger. On the following episode of Raw, Gable approached Mysterio backstage and called him "the greatest luchador of all time," offering him a shot at the title as a sign of respect. Mysterio, who is currently juggling in-ring competition with his role as General Manager of AAA, accepted on the spot. Gable said he'd get Raw GM Adam Pearce to make it official, and Pearce has now confirmed the match for this week's show. It will be just the second-ever singles meeting between the two, with Mysterio winning their first encounter back in October 2022. Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria This one grows out of the increasingly tense dynamic in the women's division. Ruca has been chasing a rematch for the Women's Intercontinental Championship, while Valkyria — the first-ever holder of that title — has grown more erratic in recent weeks, repeatedly bringing up her attack on Bayley at Madison Square Garden. The two clashed backstage after Ruca and IYO Sky's tag win on August 10, arguing over who deserves the next shot at the title. That unresolved tension sets up this singles matchup, with both women looking to establish themselves as the top contender. Roman Reigns Returns Roman Reigns is advertised to make his return to WWE television this week, stepping back into the spotlight as the World Heavyweight Championship picture continues to take shape around him via the ongoing No. 1 Contender's Tournament. Jey Uso to Deliver Solo Sikoa to Roman Reigns This segment is the payoff to a stipulation match earlier on Raw, where Jey Uso defeated Solo Sikoa under terms that determined Sikoa's future with the Bloodline. Had Sikoa won, he would have been free of the group for good; instead, Uso's victory means Sikoa must fall back in line, and Uso is set to personally deliver him to Reigns on this show. World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament: Rey Fenix vs. El Fiscal One of two first-round matches set to determine who eventually earns a shot at Reigns' World Heavyweight Championship, pitting Fenix's high-flying lucha style against El Fiscal in a first-round showdown. World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament: Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. The second first-round tournament match of the night, continuing WWE's push to spotlight top lucha libre talent as part of the road to crowning Reigns' next challenger. Predicted Match Card Chad Gable retains the Intercontinental Championship in a competitive back-and-forth with Rey Mysterio, likely with some form of outside interference or a controversial finish, given how protective WWE has been of new champions so soon after a title change. Solo Sikoa doesn't go quietly when Jey Uso brings him in front of Roman Reigns — expect a chaotic segment, possibly with another Bloodline member inserting themselves, rather than a clean, peaceful resolution. Dragon Lee and Rey Fenix both advance in their respective tournament matches, setting up a lucha-heavy path toward the next World Heavyweight Championship contender. Where and When to Watch WWE Raw WWE Raw airs live in the United States on Netflix at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT. United Kingdom & Ireland: 1:00 AM BST (Tuesday) on Netflix India: 5:30 AM IST (Tuesday) on Netflix Australia: 10:00 AM AEST (Tuesday) on Netflix Mexico: 6:00 PM CST (Monday) on Netflix