In a world where the lines between sports and entertainment increasingly blur, the WWE universe stands as a testament to the theatricality, athleticism, and storytelling that captivates global audiences. One of the most engrossing storylines to have emerged from the WWE’s Stamford-based hub in recent years is the “Bloodline” narrative arc. It’s an operatic tale replete with betrayals and shifting alliances, featuring none other than the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. However, a recent intervention from WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff indicates that the story—and indeed Reigns’ career—might be at a pivotal junction.
Bischoff, a well-regarded veteran in professional wrestling and a keen observer of its evolving dynamics, expressed his views on his podcast, 83 Weeks. Reflecting on the recent developments within the Bloodline storyline, he stated, “Yeah, and within a very, very short period of time, we’ve reached a downhill slope feeling.” The Hall of Famer elaborated on his call to action to Reigns, “Now is not the time you wanna take your foot off the gas, Roman.” These remarks come at a time when the Bloodline arc is reeling from some contentious turns, which fans and critics alike have scrutinised.
To briefly recapitulate, the Bloodline story has been the centre of WWE’s narrative universe for three years. Featuring a complex family dynamic, the plot has entertained several intriguing shifts—Sami Zayn’s betrayal of Roman Reigns, The Usos’ mutiny against their cousin, and most recently, Jimmy Uso’s controversial betrayal of his twin brother Jey. This last development received widespread critique for lacking believability, adding fuel to the argument that the storyline might be losing its narrative grip.
Bischoff’s comments suggest that this is a critical moment not just for the storyline but also for Roman Reigns as an individual performer. Reigns has been the Universal Champion for over 1,000 days, and recently surpassed 500 days as the WWE Champion. Over the years, he has defended his title against wrestling giants like John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and Cody Rhodes. Despite these accomplishments, Bischoff perceives this as a moment where Reigns should be elevating his game even further. His advice to Reigns is unequivocal: “If your goal is to end your career in the next 12 or 18 months and move on to Hollywood and join The Rock, commit now more than ever.”
This advice bears weight, especially given the WWE’s historical role as a launching pad for successful Hollywood careers, most notably Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Bischoff’s implication is that Reigns is on the cusp of transcending his wrestling career and should, therefore, invest himself fully in the present narrative to cement his legacy.
The scenario gets even more intriguing when other industry veterans weigh in. Konnan, another wrestling analyst, questioned the recent creative decision to let Reigns retain his title at WWE SummerSlam against Jey Uso. “If you’re waiting for The Rock or you know that he’s coming, then this was a good move. If not, they should have put Jey over,” said Konnan on his podcast, Keepin’ It 100.
Furthermore, Eric Bischoff’s experience and insights extend beyond WWE, addressing its rival, AEW. Speaking on what AEW should glean from WWE’s storytelling, he commented, “Keep that audience engaged, just keep them engaged. Pace the show so that you’re building throughout the entire event.” His criticism of AEW’s reliance on physical violence over emotional resonance was explicit: “Don’t overdo the blood and guts, because that’s not what does it.”
As the Bloodline storyline teeters on the cusp of either going down in history or going downhill, the next steps for Roman Reigns are keenly awaited. Will he heed the advice from seasoned professionals like Bischoff? His choices in the coming months are not just pivotal for the continuation of a compelling narrative but could define the arc of his career, and by extension, the WWE universe itself. As the drama unfolds, fans, critics, and professionals alike will be riveted, illustrating once more that in the world of WWE, the stakes are always much more than just a title belt.
