The WWE’s first premium live event in Italy was a visual spectacle. Fans in Turin brought the noise. The spots were massive. Yet, the main event left a lingering question that overshadowed the pyrotechnics: are we watching the same story twice?

Roman Reigns defeated Jacob Fatu to retain his heavyweight belt, forcing Fatu to acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief. It was a definitive finish. It was also a creative choice that feels like a trip to 2024. WWE had a chance to pivot. They could have let Fatu win, forcing Reigns into the unfamiliar role of the challenger. Instead, they doubled down on the status quo.

The Bloodline Paradox

The original Bloodline saga remains a high-water mark for modern wrestling storytelling. It was nuanced, long-form, and perfectly executed. But the current iteration risks becoming a parody of its predecessor.

Fatu was never part of the original faction. He arrived under Solo Sikoa’s leadership. By folding him back into Reigns' orbit, WWE is setting up a civil war between two versions of the same family. It’s a classic trope. The problem? The current supporting cast lacks the sheer gravitational pull of the original Bloodline. They need a jolt. Without it, this feud risks feeling like a B-side track on a greatest hits album.

A Missed Opportunity for Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes retained his Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther, but the finish was a dud. A pinfall with a leg under the ropes is a tired shortcut. It didn't help Rhodes, and it certainly didn't help Gunther.

There was a window here to lean into a darker, more ruthless version of Rhodes. The crowd was ready for it. Instead, the champion offered a rematch, effectively hitting the pause button on any character evolution. Gunther is the most credible threat on the roster. He deserves a better stage than a controversial, 11-minute sprint.

The Beast and the Giant

Brock Lesnar finally leveled the score with Oba Femi, but it took seven F-5s to get there. It was a brutal, necessary win for Lesnar. It also sets the table for a rubber match that feels inevitable for SummerSlam.

Lesnar’s use of the kimura lock was a sharp touch. It showed a tactical side to "The Beast" that we rarely see. Femi is a powerhouse, but he’s still learning the ropes of high-stakes main events. This rivalry is the perfect crucible for his development.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bloodline Loop: By forcing Fatu to acknowledge Reigns, WWE has opted for a familiar faction-war narrative rather than a fresh start.
  • Rhodes' Stalled Evolution: The controversial finish against Gunther keeps the champion in a holding pattern rather than pushing him toward a more complex, darker persona.
  • The SummerSlam Picture: With the King of the Ring tournament concluding, the path to SummerSlam is narrowing, with Seth Rollins emerging as the likely challenger for Reigns.

What Comes Next

The creative team is now on the clock. The King of the Ring tournament final will dictate the immediate landscape for SummerSlam. If Seth Rollins secures that spot, he becomes the primary obstacle to Reigns' current reign. We will know exactly where the company stands on the "Bloodline 2.0" experiment by the time the next episode of SmackDown airs. The window for a genuine pivot is closing. By the end of June, we will see if this story has legs or if it’s just running in place.