I am sitting here with a lukewarm domestic beer and a plate of wings that are way too spicy for my own good, and I am telling you right now: if you did not get goosebumps during that opening Bloodline segment on the 4/26 RAW, you are either dead inside or a disgruntled lifer who still thinks wrestling peaked in 1997. We are currently living through a period of WWE television that feels less like a corporate sports-entertainment product and more like a high-stakes HBO drama directed by someone who grew up on a steady diet of Scorsese and ECW.

The show opened not with the usual generic pyrotechnics and Michael Cole screaming about a sold-out crowd, but with a cinematic video that looked like it cost more than most indie promotions' entire annual budget. It was moody, it was gritty, and it set a tone that carried through the entire three hours. This is the 'Final Boss' era of the Bloodline, and seeing Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu framed like modern-day Corleones is the exact kind of professional wrestling I want to see in 2026.

The Bloodline is basically The Godfather now

Let’s talk about that opening video. Usually, when WWE tries to do 'cinematic,' it ends up looking like a B-movie horror flick with too many jump cuts and bad lighting. This was different. It was a slow burn, showing the internal rot and the suffocating tension within the new iteration of the Bloodline. Jacob Fatu is a terrifying human being. He moves with the agility of a cruiserweight but hits with the impact of a Mack truck carrying a load of bricks, and that video package did more to establish him as a top-tier threat than a hundred squash matches ever could.

Seeing Roman Reigns in this role—the weary king trying to maintain order in a kingdom that is rapidly burning down—is the best work of his career. People spent years booing this man because he was forced down our throats, but now? He is the most magnetic presence in the industry. The way the camera lingered on his face while Fatu stood in the background like a looming shadow was absolute perfection. It’s 92 percent more effective than any 15-minute promo could ever be, and it proves that the production team finally understands that less is often more.

We are only 10 days away from WWE Backlash 2026, and the build for the inevitable collision between the different factions of this family is reaching a boiling point. The story isn't just about who is the 'Head of the Table' anymore; it's about the soul of the Samoan dynasty. If you aren't invested in this, you're probably busy complaining about workrate on a message board somewhere while the rest of us are having the time of our lives.

I believe in Joe Hendry (and so does the entire arena)

Then we got the moment that turned the internet into a chaotic mess of memes and 'I Believe' chants. Joe Hendry making his RAW debut with a full-blown concert was the kind of insanity that only works in professional wrestling. For months, the rumors have been swirling about the TNA crossover star finally making the jump to the red brand, and the payoff was worth every second of the wait. The man walked out there with a guitar and a smile that said, 'I know I’m the smartest guy in the room,' and proceeded to roast the entire locker room.

The beauty of Joe Hendry isn't just the song—it’s the fact that he understands the modern audience. We live in an era where personality is currency, and Hendry is a billionaire. The crowd wasn't just reacting; they were singing along to every single word. It felt like a 90s boy band concert crashed a fight club. When he hit that final chord and the entire arena chanted his name, it was one of those rare moments where a performer 'arrives' in a single segment. He didn't even have to throw a punch to become the most talked-about person on the show.

Of course, the usual suspects on social media are already complaining that it was too 'silly' or that it took away from the 'real' wrestling. To those people, I say: grow up. Wrestling has always been a variety show. If you want 60-minute technical classics with zero logic or character, go watch a grainy tape of a match in a high school gym. Joe Hendry is a superstar because he makes you feel something, and on Monday night, he made everyone in that building feel like they were part of the show.

"The man walked out there with a guitar and a smile that said, 'I know I’m the smartest guy in the room,' and proceeded to roast the entire locker room."

Rey Mysterio and the fountain of youth

Now, I have to address the 'Miss' of the night, because even a great show has its flaws. Rey Mysterio went up against El Grande, and while Rey is still a miracle of science who can go at a high level at his age, the match felt like it was stuck in second gear. El Grande has the look of a future world champion, but he still feels incredibly green when he’s in the ring with a legend like Mysterio. There were several moments where the timing was just a fraction of a second off, and in a Rey Mysterio match, those fractions matter.

Rey spent about four minutes selling for El Grande’s power moves, which is fine, but the comeback felt rushed. We know Rey can carry anyone to a decent match, but this felt like a struggle to find a rhythm. El Grande needs to spend more time working with veterans on the house show circuit before he gets these big televised spots. He has the size and the intensity, but the 'connective tissue' between the moves just isn't there yet. It wasn't a disaster, but it was a noticeable step down from the high bar set by the rest of the episode.

It’s also worth noting that the commentary team seemed a bit distracted during this match. Having a three-man booth is always a risk, and there were times when they were so busy talking about the Bloodline or Joe Hendry that they completely ignored what was happening in the ring. If the announcers don't care about the match, why should the fans at home? Rey deserves better than being treated like a background character in his own match, even at this stage of his career.

The staredown that stopped the world

The closing segment brought us back to the Bloodline saga, and it was the perfect bookend to the show. After a chaotic main event, Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu found themselves alone in the ring. No words were spoken. They didn't need to speak. They just stood there, inches apart, staring into each other’s eyes while the crowd lost their collective minds. It was a masterclass in tension. It reminded me of those classic Westerns where the two gunslingers face off in the middle of the street before the final shootout.

Fatu didn't flinch. Reigns didn't back down. In those few seconds, WWE told a better story than most movies manage in two hours. You could feel the shift in power. You could see the realization on Roman’s face that he had created a monster he might not be able to control. This is how you build a main event. You don't need a convoluted contract signing or a boring promo about 'respect.' You just need two guys who look like they are ready to kill each other for the right reasons.

As we head toward Backlash, the momentum is firmly on WWE's side. They are taking risks with cinematic production and crossover stars like Hendry, and for the most part, those risks are paying off. The 4/26 RAW was a reminder that when this company is firing on all cylinders, there is nothing else in the world that can touch it. I’m going to need another beer before next week, because if this is the pace they’re keeping, my heart might not make it to May 9.