Paul Heyman and Triple H reject Solo Sikoa as The Tribal Chief (2024)

The wrestling world lost a giant this week as Pola’ivao Leati Sika Anoa’i, best known simply as Sika of the Wild Samoans, passed away last week. The father of superstars Roman Reigns and Rosey (Matthew Anoa’i), was a patriarch of the Samoan Dynasty and considered The Frontline of The Bloodline with his brother Afa and Peter Maivia.

As support for Sika’s family and friends poured in, Reigns, in a statement on X, thanked everyone for their well-wishes while praising his father, writing, “My father had a profound impact on my entire family and we are forever grateful for the foundation he built for us. There’s no way to fill the void left by his passing but my sisters and I will do our best to represent him and his legacy.”

Rikishi, the father of Jimmy and Jey Uso, and Solo Sikoa reflected on the impact Sika had on him, writing on social media, “As a professional, he showed me all of the ropes, (literally) and guided me on ‘roadlife,’ and being one of the boys. But more importantly, as my Uncle, he taught me to slow down, take my time, and truly ENJOY life.” The WWE Hall of Famer also dedicated the most recent episode of his podcast, Rikishi Fatu Off The Top, which was recorded the day Sika passed.

As The Bloodline returned to work to resume its existing storylines, Cageside Seats continues offering condolences, prayers, and best wishes to Sika’s family, friends, and fans.

And the Oscar goes to Paul Heyman

The first act of the latest Bloodline family drama concluded violently on SmackDown last Friday, as Paul Heyman was brutally beaten and hospitalized after rejecting Solo Sikoa as his Tribal Chief.

Following the attack, the demand for Roman Reigns’ return has intensified, with much praise being heaped on Heyman for increasing fans’ desires. The Wise Man delivered a performance worthy of an Oscar, potentially settling the debate on the greatest non-wrestling personality of all time. From his look to the physical sacrifices he made, Heyman stole the show, enhancing wrestling’s best storyline.

During what was advertised as an Acknowledgment Ceremony, Heyman appeared genuinely distressed. He hadn’t shaved in days, the color in his hair was fading, and his eyes were puffy and red as if he hadn’t slept in several days. It was the kind of method acting that would eclipse even the best work of Marlon Brando, who never had to eat a Samoan Spike or take a powerbomb through a table for any of his films.

But that’s the kind of sacrifice the WWE Hall of Famer made for his craft.

As Sikoa’s henchmen — Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu — each acknowledged Sikoa as the Tribal Chief, it was Heyman’s turn. With tears in his bloodshot eyes, Heyman almost collapsed in grief as he was handed Roman Reigns’ ula fala, the traditional Samoan necklace symbolizing Reigns’ high status within The Bloodline and the Samoan Dynasty. Heyman clutched the sacred necklace to his heart as if he were embracing the lifeless remains of The Head of the Table.

Faced with abandoning Reigns to protect his safety, Heyman, a character known for his dishonesty and self-preservation, remained loyal, telling Sikoa, “Solo, I love you. And I acknowledge that you are not my Tribal Chief.”

What followed was a barbaric assault.

The four men took turns beating the 58-year-old non-wrestler, culminating in a triple powerbomb through an announcer’s table. Fans at Madison Square Garden gasped as Heyman crashed through the table, lying face down as if murdered. Playing up his injuries, Heyman was stretchered out of the arena and loaded into an ambulance, where he finally opened his eyes, looking disturbingly disoriented.

All eyes now turn to Money in the Bank this Saturday as Sikoa and his crew face Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in a six-man tag team match. With the second act set to begin, many wonder if Reigns will return and seek retribution or hold off for a gallant comeback later this summer.

Regardless, Reigns’ return has become the most anticipated event of the year. Thanks to Heyman’s physical sacrifices, the next phase in The Bloodline’s saga could elevate an already surging WWE to even greater heights in the weeks ahead.

Solo Sikoa is not Triple H’s Tribal Chief either

Amid a simmering power struggle with The Bloodline, Cageside Seats recently asked its readers who they believe is the true Tribal Chief. Almost 60% of voters chose Roman Reigns, a sentiment echoed by WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Levesque declined to specify a return date for the most preeminent performer in sports entertainment history but affirmed Reigns’ position atop the Samoan Dynasty.

“When you talk about Tribal Chief, you’re talking about Roman Reigns, no matter who lays claim to that,” said Levesque.

As Sikoa attempts to wrest this distinction from Reigns, arenas worldwide reverberate with chants of “We Want Roman.” Whether it’s the night after WrestleMania during Rhodes’ victory speech or CM Punk’s latest address in Chicago, audiences universally acknowledge Reigns as the true Tribal Chief.

On-screen, this doesn’t sit well with Sikoa, whose face twists with disgust every time fans cry for Reigns’ to return home to the Island of Relevancy. When he does, Levesque teased that time might be up on The Bloodline’s current regime.

“You very clearly see that shift of ‘We’re running the show now,’ and ‘This is the new Tribal Chief, this is the new Head of the Table, and this is where this is headed.’ That’s only going to last for so long before there’s a return,” said Levesque.