Cody Rhodes Beats Solo Sikoa as Roman Reigns Returns at SummerSlam 2024

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVAugust 4, 2024

Photo credit: WWE.com

Cody Rhodes defeated Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam on Saturday to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

For the first time since dropping the WWE title to Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 in April, Roman Reigns appeared and played a pivotal role during his brief time in the ring. He hit Sikoa with the Superman punch and a Spear.

WWE @WWEROMAN REIGNS IS BACK!#SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/a49hy66nzo

Jalen Brunson @jalenbrunson1Thank you Roman

Another Cross Rhodes on Sikoa followed that and Rhodes remained the champion.

The American Nightmare was also grateful for the help of Kevin Owens and Randy Orton in seeing off other members of The Bloodline during the match.

After Rhodes ended Reigns’ 1,316-day title run at WrestleMania, The Tribal Chief disappeared from WWE programming, as did The Rock, which left a leadership void within The Bloodline.

It quickly became apparent that Sikoa was intent on taking the leadership role of the group, as he made several executive decisions, including kicking his brother, Jimmy Uso, out of the group.

Additionally, Sikoa brought in several new members, including Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu, which didn’t sit well with Paul Heyman.

Sikoa asked every member of The Bloodline to pledge their allegiance to him and acknowledge him as their Tribal Chief, but when The Wise Man refused to do so, he was attacked and removed from the stable as well.

At around that same time, Sikoa began targeting Rhodes with the goal of bringing the WWE Championship back to The Bloodline.

Sikoa and The Bloodline attacked Rhodes after his successful title defense against AJ Styles at Clash at the Castle, but Owens and Orton made the save, leading to a six-man tag team match at Money in the Bank.

Sikoa, Tonga and Fatu were victorious in that match thanks to Sikoa pinning Rhodes, which was enough to earn Sikoa a championship bout against The American Nightmare at SummerSlam.

The looming presence of The Bloodline made Solo a dangerous threat to Rhodes’ title reign, but the champion managed to retain at SummerSlam and maintain his position as the face of SmackDown.

And it’s abundantly clear Reigns has some unfinished business with Sikoa that will need to be resolved in the coming weeks.

Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below.