The post-WrestleMania power vacuum is being filled with blood

WrestleMania 41 was supposed to be the end of the Bloodline. When Cody Rhodes finally pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of that Allegiant Stadium ring on April 20, the consensus was that the dynasty had fallen. We were wrong. Instead of a collapse, we are witnessing a hostile takeover that makes Roman’s four-year reign look like a period of relative stability. Solo Sikoa has spent the last five days dismantling the old hierarchy, and yesterday’s SmackDown on April 24 proved that he has no interest in being a Tribal Chief. He wants to be a warlord.

The shift in technical methodology is jarring. Roman’s Bloodline was built on psychological gaslighting and the 'Wise Man' counsel of Paul Heyman. Solo’s version, flanked by Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, operates on raw, unadulterated violence. The addition of Jacob Fatu—the Samoan Werewolf—has fundamentally altered the power dynamics of the blue brand. As PWInsider reported on the April 24 fallout, the tension between Sikoa and Fatu is already reaching a breaking point, setting the stage for what should be a car crash main event at Backlash on May 9.

The Jacob Fatu anomaly and the cousin versus cousin problem

Jacob Fatu is a statistical outlier in the Anoa'i family tree. He possesses the agility of a cruiserweight packed into a 280-pound frame. Watching him execute a springboard moonsault with that level of velocity is terrifying. On SmackDown, we saw the first real cracks in the 'New' Bloodline when Solo and Jacob stood nose-to-nose. It wasn't the slow, operatic drama we got with Sami Zayn or Jey Uso. This was two predators testing each other's peripheral vision. When Solo barked an order and Jacob hesitated for a fraction of a second, the energy in the arena shifted.

The 'Cousin versus Cousin' narrative is being fast-tracked, and frankly, it's the only move WWE has while Roman is away on his post-Mania hiatus. Solo is trying to suppress Jacob’s natural charisma because he knows Fatu is the superior in-ring worker. In terms of pure work rate, Jacob Fatu is the most dangerous man in the company right now. His triple-jump moonsault is a 95% hit rate maneuver that usually ends the night for anyone across the ring. If Solo thinks a Samoan Spike is enough to keep the Werewolf in a cage, he’s fundamentally miscalculating the physics of this matchup.

The Trick Williams distraction and the pacing problem

SmackDown wasn't all high-stakes family drama. We saw Trick Williams make a rare appearance, only to find out that 'Trick got tricked.' It was a classic piece of booking designed to keep the crowd engaged, but it highlighted a growing issue with the current Friday night product. The show is becoming top-heavy. PWInsider's report noted there was 'a lot of talking' and only 'some wrestling.' This is a valid criticism that needs addressing before we head into the France show in two weeks.

When you have a talent like Trick Williams, you don't use him for a 15-minute talking segment that leads to a two-minute beatdown. It’s a waste of a hot hand. The same goes for the Tongans. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa are world-class tag team specialists, yet they spent most of last night standing like statues behind Solo. If WWE wants this new Bloodline to feel like a legitimate threat to Cody Rhodes’ title reign, they need to stop the monologues and start the matches. The 'An obvious influence' mentioned in the reports refers to the heavy hand of the production team, which felt a bit too visible during the mid-show lull.

Technical breakdown: Why Solo is a tactical liability

Solo Sikoa’s offense has become stagnant. He relies almost exclusively on the Samoan Spike and the spinning solo. While his striking is crisp, he lacks the versatile counter-wrestling that made Roman Reigns a champion for over 1,300 days. If he faces Jacob Fatu at Backlash, he is going to struggle with the pace. Jacob operates at a high-octane level, frequently using a Pop-up Samoan Drop that catches opponents mid-air. Solo’s flat-footed style is a massive target for someone who can move like Fatu.

The new Bloodline doesn't need a table. They need a riot squad. Solo is trying to lead through fear, but you can't frighten a man like Jacob Fatu who has spent his entire career being the most feared person in every locker room he's entered.

We also have to look at the interference factor. Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga are wild cards. They aren't bound by the same 'honor' that Jimmy and Jey occasionally showed. They are mercenaries. If Solo is losing—and he will be losing if Jacob gets any momentum—the Tongans will swarm. This makes for a great heat-generator, but it can also lead to a messy, unsatisfying finish. We saw it at WrestleMania 41, and we don’t need a repeat on a smaller scale at Backlash.

The critical observation: A lack of direction for the champion

Where is Cody Rhodes in all of this? The American Nightmare won the big one, but he’s currently playing second fiddle to a family squabble that doesn't involve him. This is a recurring mistake in WWE booking. The champion should be the sun that the entire solar system orbits. Instead, Cody feels like he’s on a victory lap that’s lasted five days too long. He needs a definitive challenger, and he needs one who isn't a Bloodline member. Giving Solo Sikoa a title shot after he just lost his enforcer role to Roman would be a 0 out of 10 move for logical consistency.

Cody's win was an emotional peak, but the valley afterward is looking a bit shallow. If the plan is to have him wait for the winner of Solo vs. Jacob, he’s going to be standing around while the real work happens in the mid-card. The writers need to pivot quickly. We need to see Cody defending that title against a fresh opponent—someone like a resurgent AJ Styles or even a drafted talent from NXT—to prove that the 'Cody Era' is about more than just beating the Bloodline.

Final Prediction: The Werewolf unleashed in France

WWE Backlash 2026 is shaping up to be a transition show, but the Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu match (which I expect to be made official this Tuesday) is the dark horse for Match of the Night. My prediction is specific and grounded in current booking trends. Jacob Fatu is going to dominate the first 12 minutes of the match. He’s going to hit the springboard moonsault for a near-fall that will have the crowd in Lyon, France, losing their minds.

However, Solo Sikoa is the 'Tribal Chief' in name only for a reason. He will use the Tongans to distract the referee, deliver a low blow, and then finish Jacob with a series of 3 consecutive Samoan Spikes. Solo wins the match, but he loses the war. Jacob Fatu is too big of a star to remain a lackey, and the post-match beatdown will likely be the catalyst for the return of a certain 'Original' Bloodline member. Mark my words: Solo gets the pin, but Jacob gets the 'holy shit' chants.