Roman Reigns Beats Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat on WWE Raw’s Netflix Debut
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Roman Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat on the debut episode of WWE Raw on Netflix on Monday night, giving Reigns the Ula Fala and the title of Tribal Chief.
WWE @WWEOTC RULES ☝️#RawOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/a8QWTxYHi1
The match became a spectacle of who would save their respective winner, as Reigns and Sikoa both needed all the help they could get.
After enduring a beating with the kendo stick, Reigns turned the tables on the top rope, overpowering Sikoa and sending him through a table. Just as Reigns nearly secured the pin, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu pulled the referee out of the ring, saving Sikoa and delivering a vicious beatdown to Reigns.
WWE @WWEIt’s 3-on-1 in TRIBAL COMBAT right now!#RawOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/4v4E2sUoXd
Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso rushed to Reigns’ aid as he was surrounded 3-on-1, allowing Reigns to line up a spear. However, with no referee in the ring, no count could be registered.
Kevin Owens ran in to save Sikoa from a Superman Punch, hitting Reigns with a Stunner. Reigns was then saved by Cody Rhodes, with the crowd chanting “This is awesome.”
WWE @WWETHIS IS AWE-SOME! 👏👏 👏👏👏#RawOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/sy0i6zjpkk
WWE @WWEWE’VE GOT COMPANY!!!#RawOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/YNnPhGYSD3
The energy was palpable as the crowd erupted with excitement. The match ended with Reigns and Sikoa left alone in the ring, where Reigns delivered back-to-back spears, securing the win via pinfall.
After the match, The Rock made a dramatic entrance, stepping into the ring to a roaring crowd. With a stoic expression, he approached Reigns and placed the Ula Fala around his neck, symbolizing his acknowledgment of Reigns as the true champion.
WWE @WWEWe ACKNOWLEDGE this! 👆👆👆#RawOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/en5VtHQwGB
Reigns’ dominant, 1,316-day run as world champion came to an end at WrestleMania 40 last year when he lost to Cody Rhodes, which called the pecking order of The Bloodline into question.
During Reigns’ absence, Sikoa emerged as leader of The Bloodline, and he molded it into his own vision by taking out Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman, and replacing them with Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu.
Solo was successful enough to earn a WWE Championship match against Rhodes at SummerSlam, but Reigns returned during the match and cost Sikoa in retaliation for Solo’s disparaging comments.
Reigns formed a reluctant alliance with Rhodes for a period of time to combat Sikoa and the new Bloodline, but eventually became clear that Reigns would have to turn back to his family for help.
Roman and Jimmy Uso reunited, and while it took some time to convince Jey Uso, he eventually agreed to join forces with his cousin and brother as well. However, they fell to Sikoa, Tonga and Fatu in a six-man tag team match at Crown Jewel with Reigns taking the fall.
Knowing that he needed to strike a major blow against Solo and the new Bloodline, Reigns led a team into a WarGames match at Survivor Series. In addition to The Usos, Reigns got back in the good graces of Sami Zayn, and Heyman brokered a deal to have CM Punk team with Reigns and Co.
Reigns’ team was victorious over Sikoa, Tonga, Loa, Fatu and Bronson Reed, inching Roman closer toward resuming full control of The Bloodline.
Sikoa was still in possession of the Ula Fala coming out of Survivor Series, though, meaning a more decisive match was needed to determine the true Tribal Chief.
In order to settle things once and for all, Reigns vs. Sikoa in Tribal Combat was announced for the first Raw on Netflix, adding a match with massive stakes to arguably the biggest episode of Raw of all time.
Reigns ultimately defeated Sikoa to regain his position as Tribal Chief, thus putting Solo’s future in question.
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