{"id":160581,"date":"2026-04-29T07:00:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T11:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=160581"},"modified":"2026-04-29T00:43:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T04:43:45","slug":"acknowledge-them-ranking-the-5-best-bloodline-matches-in-wwe-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/04\/29\/acknowledge-them-ranking-the-5-best-bloodline-matches-in-wwe-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Acknowledge Them: Ranking the 5 Best Bloodline Matches in WWE History"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are just ten days away, at the time of writing, from Backlash in Tampa, Florida, where the main event is already locked in. Roman Reigns puts the World Heavyweight Championship on the line for the very first time, looking to carry the momentum following his <\/span>monumental victory over CM Punk at WrestleMania<\/span><\/a>. This championship clash is set to reignite the bitter Bloodline feuds of the past, but the stakes have shifted as a fresh face emerges to challenge the tribal hierarchy.<\/span><\/p>\n

This past Monday on Raw, <\/span>Reigns officially accepted the challenge<\/span><\/a> from his own cousin, Jacob Fatu, setting the stage for their first-ever one-on-one encounter. After toppling Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42, Fatu is moving quickly to turn that momentum into championship gold at the expense of his own blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generations of Dominance<\/b><\/h2>\n

To understand the present, one must look back at the deep roots of the Samoan dynasty in WWE. The lineage traces back to the 1970s with blood brothers Peter Maivia and Amituana\u2019i Anoa\u2019i, both of whom are revered as \u201cHigh Chiefs.\u201d Together, they form the historical foundation of the family\u2019s enduring legacy as arguably one of the most powerful family trees in wrestling history.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the business grew over the years, so did the family’s influence. Yokozuna, despite being billed from Japan, became the first member of the dynasty to capture the WWE Championship and the first Samoan to main event WrestleMania, doing so in consecutive years at WrestleManias 9 and 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

The early 90s saw the next generation emerge as Yokozuna\u2019s cousins, Rikishi and Samu, joined the fold. However, the landscape changed forever when The Rock, grandson of Peter Maivia, stepped into the ring, bridging the past and future as the first third-generation superstar in WWE history.<\/span><\/p>\n

The impact The Rock had not only on WWE but on the family lineage was unfathomable, as his unprecedented charisma transformed him into one of the world’s biggest pop-culture icons. But while he made a significant impact single-handedly, the 21st century saw a major uptick in the number of family members joining the WWE ranks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Umaga, remembered as the family\u2019s ultimate powerhouse, dominated the landscape from 2006 to 2009, most notably headlining WrestleMania 23 in the iconic \u201cBattle of the Billionaires\u201d match.<\/span><\/p>\n

2010 marked the debut of one of the most iconic tag teams in WWE history, as Jimmy and Jey Uso, the twin sons of Rikishi, wasted no time establishing themselves as the next great duo to carry the family\u2019s storied banner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two years later, Roman Reigns arrived, <\/span>beginning his main roster journey as a member of The Shield<\/span><\/a> before evolving into the \u201cTribal Chief.\u201d He went on to make modern history by holding the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship for a monumental 1,316 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

During Reigns\u2019 run in the 2020s, the fold expanded as even more members of the dynasty arrived. Solo Sikoa, the younger brother of the Usos, joined the main roster on September 3, 2022, while <\/span>Jacob Fatu, son of Sam Fatu<\/span><\/a>, made his debut on June 21, 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bloodline Origins<\/b><\/h2>\n

Officially formed in July 2021, The Bloodline was founded following a bitter feud between Reigns and The Usos, with Paul Heyman initially serving as the group’s counsel.\u00a0 Subsequent years saw the faction expand with the additions of Solo Sikoa and <\/span>Sami Zayn, who joined as an \u201cHonorary Uce.\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Following the departures of Zayn and Jey Uso in early 2023, the faction saw the brief addition of The Rock in 2024 before both he and Reigns stepped away. During their absence, Sikoa assumed control as the Tribal Chief, ousting Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman from the group while introducing Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu into the fold. Years of inter-family feuds have seen The Bloodline <\/span>transform into its current entity: The MFTs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The modern era has been a busy one for the dynasty. Since 2020, they have competed in a total of 34 matches, with 13 of those bouts having a championship on the line, solidifying their status as the most decorated family in the business today.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

Every one of these clashes tells a story of betrayal and respect, but beyond the drama and the promos, The Bloodline has delivered some of the finest in-ring performances in modern history. Let\u2019s count down the five most dominant and emotionally charged matches since 2020 that saw this family truly push each other to the limit.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa vs. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens: Night Of Champions 2023\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

While the first match on our list is not exclusively family vs. family, the storytelling remains absolutely top-tier. Roman Reigns, joined by his cousin Solo Sikoa, attempted to bring the Undisputed Tag Team Titles back to the family after The Usos lost them at WrestleMania 39.<\/span><\/p>\n

The storytelling in this match focused heavily on Reigns\u2019 dwindling patience and his growing disdain for The Usos. Despite Roman explicitly ordering the twins to stay home, they defied him and appeared anyway, claiming they were only there to \u201chelp\u201d and shifted the entire energy of the main event.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the match, The Usos prepared to level Zayn with a double Superkick, but accidentally hit Sikoa when Zayn ducked out of the way. Reigns reacted by berating them, which finally prompted Jimmy Uso to fire back with a Superkick to the Tribal Chief, costing him and Sikoa the match. As a stunned Jey questioned his brother\u2019s actions, Jimmy famously replied, \u201cI\u2019m doing what you should have done a long time ago,\u201d before leveling Reigns with a second Superkick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jimmy Uso reaching his breaking point marked the official beginning of The Bloodline Civil War and gave the fans one of the most shocking moments in the entire saga. While the match may not have been the most technical or fast-paced, its masterful storytelling hit the nail on the head, easily earning it a spot on this list.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

4. Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa: WWE Raw (Netflix Premiere) 2025\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

While many were buzzing over The Rock\u2019s return, the kickoff of John Cena\u2019s retirement tour, and the high-stakes clashes of Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan and CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, the real anticipation for much of the crowd centered on the main event showdown between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reigns and Sikoa battled under \u201cTribal Combat\u201d rules, meaning anything goes – no disqualifications and no count-outs – with the winner determined by pinfall or submission.\u00a0 The victor would be recognized as the one true Tribal Chief, claiming the Ula Fala.<\/span><\/p>\n

The match lived up to the hype, involving chairs, tables, and outside interference. The high-stakes clash peaked when Reigns connected with a Superman Punch and a Spear, before forcing Solo to tap to the Guillotine Choke, the very move he used to establish his dominance years prior.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

3. Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso: \u201cI Quit\u201d Match at Hell in a Cell 2020<\/b><\/h2>\n

Hell in a Cell 2020 hosted the sequel to the first matchup between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso from Clash of Champions. While Jey sought revenge for his previous loss, Reigns looked to settle their family dispute once and for all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the match may not have been fast-paced, it once again did an impeccable job of storytelling inside the ring. The finish involved Reigns using the Guillotine Choke, with Jey refusing to quit. Jimmy, who had been watching from ringside, rushed into the ring to plead for his brother’s safety, leading to a rare moment where Reigns broke down in tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reigns then pulled Jimmy into a Guillotine, forcing Jey to finally utter the words \u201cI Quit\u201d in a desperate attempt to save his twin brother. This match cemented the \u201cAcknowledge Me\u201d era, setting the stage for the next three years of dominance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2. The Usos vs. Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa: Money in The Bank 2023<\/b><\/h2>\n

Billed as the \u201cBloodline Civil War,\u201d this match headlined the O2 Arena in London, England. This showdown followed months of escalating tension after Jimmy turned on Roman at Night of Champions, with Jey eventually choosing his twin brother over the duo of Roman and The Usos\u2019 younger brother, Solo.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the bout had slow, methodical pacing, it featured incredible moments and an even more remarkable ending. At one point, Roman and Solo attempted to pin both Usos at once, a direct callback to the double stack Reigns used at WrestleMania 37 on Daniel Bryan and Edge, but the Usos kicked out, drawing a massive roar from the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

The match concluded when the Usos delivered a series of double Superkicks to Solo, leaving Roman vulnerable. This allowed Jey to connect with the Uso Splash on Reigns, scoring the pinfall and marking the first time Roman had been pinned since 2019, ending his reign of invincibility and proving that the \u201cTribal Chief\u201d could be taken down. Having it be at the hands of his own blood relative made it even more significant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso: Clash of Champions 2020<\/b><\/h2>\n

Taking the top spot on our list is the legendary Clash of Champions 2020 encounter between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. This matchup marked the shift from Reigns as a typical heel into a manipulative monster who demanded to be recognized as the \u201cHead of the Table.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jey Uso landed in this match as a replacement for an injured Big E, resulting in him stepping up to the challenge. Throughout the buildup, Jey was portrayed as the ultimate underdog with everything to prove.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jey showed incredible heart and resilience early on, but Roman asserted dominance and control as the match progressed. The showdown concluded as a hobbled Jimmy Uso made his way to the ring, throwing in the towel to stop the match and save his brother. <\/span><\/p>\n

This moment mirrored the scene in Rocky IV, when Rocky failed to throw in the towel for Apollo Creed. Here, Jimmy refused to let Jey suffer the same fate, doing what Rocky should have and bringing the match to a mercy finish.<\/span><\/p>\n

The visual of Roman standing over a beaten Jey while draped in the Ula Fala was the perfect cliffhanger for a match defined by its unique in-ring dialogue. Without a live audience due to the pandemic, the verbal taunts from Reigns were crystal clear, taking the psychological warfare to a level not often achieved in a standard match.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bloodline’s brilliance is found in its ability to present masterclass storytelling on a consistent basis, and each match tells a story of loyalty, betrayal, and the crushing weight of being the \u201cHead of the Table.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

While these five bouts represent only a fraction of the Anoa\u2019i family\u2019s impact on WWE, their story is far from over: it simply evolves. That transition is currently on full display as The Bloodline civil war reignites, fueled by the explosive new rivalry between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We are just ten days away, at the time of writing, from Backlash in Tampa, Florida, where the main event is already locked in. Roman Reigns puts the World Heavyweight Championship on the line for the very first time, looking to carry the momentum following his monumental victory over CM Punk at WrestleMania. This championship […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5699,"featured_media":160585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7205,2192,4,3],"tags":[1724,77,7994],"class_list":["post-160581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","category-wrestling","category-wwe","category-wwe-universe","tag-jey-uso","tag-roman-reigns","tag-the-bloodline"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5699"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160581"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":160587,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160581\/revisions\/160587"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}