In what can only be described as one of the most emotional and intense storylines in WWE history, the ongoing saga between Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and The Bloodline continues to captivate audiences around the world. The “Road to Bad Blood” has set the stage for a showdown like no other—a match steeped in family drama, personal grudges, and unrelenting rivalry.
The Bloodline, led by the indomitable Roman Reigns, has long dominated WWE’s landscape. With his cousins, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso), and Solo Sikoa by his side, Roman has created one of the most formidable factions in wrestling history. Together, they’ve ruled the ring, enforcing Roman’s status as “The Tribal Chief” with unmatched dominance.
However, every empire faces its challenges, and for Roman Reigns, it came in the form of Cody Rhodes. Cody, the son of WWE legend Dusty Rhodes, carries the weight of his family’s legacy as well. His journey back to WWE has been one filled with personal redemption and a burning desire to do what his father could not—claim the WWE Championship.
The buildup to this match wasn’t just about championships or wrestling supremacy; it was about pride, family, and respect. The stakes had never been higher, as both Roman and Cody represented not just themselves but generations of wrestling bloodlines. The match would become a battle of two families, with emotions running high and no shortage of animosity between them.
As the tension between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes built, the involvement of The Bloodline added layers of complexity to this rivalry. Cody’s pursuit of the WWE Championship became intertwined with the ongoing turmoil within The Bloodline, particularly the rift between Roman and his cousin Jey Uso. Jey’s recent split from Roman after months of tension created a tear within the family that left the group vulnerable.
This rift would eventually push The Bloodline into a deeper conflict. The once-united family now faced fractures from within. Jey’s decision to walk away from Roman’s rule and stand against him echoed the themes of rebellion and defiance, which Cody Rhodes perfectly understood.
With Cody and Roman’s fates now seemingly intertwined, the stage was set for a match that wasn’t just about winning; it was about survival and legacy. Roman needed to maintain control of his crumbling empire, while Cody aimed to honor his father’s legacy and end the reign of the Tribal Chief.
As WWE moved towards its highly anticipated “Bad Blood” event, Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes found themselves forced into an unlikely alliance. The storyline took a dramatic turn when Jey Uso, after betraying Roman, needed a partner to fight against The Bloodline’s remaining loyalists—namely Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa.
The buildup to the match was rife with emotion. Cody, having lost his own father, related deeply to the family struggles that Roman faced with his cousins. Yet, he knew that aligning with Roman temporarily might be the only way to confront The Bloodline in its entirety. The emotional weight of the storyline was palpable, with viewers invested in every confrontation, every promo, and every step leading up to the final match.
For Cody, the chance to work alongside Roman, even for a single match, was both an opportunity and a burden. Despite their mutual disdain, they had to put aside their differences if they wanted to emerge victorious. It became clear that this would not be an easy road. The match at “Bad Blood” was shaping up to be as much of an emotional journey as it was a physical one.
The night of the “Tearful War” finally arrived, and the atmosphere in the arena was electric. Fans knew they were about to witness something special, something historic. As Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes stood across from Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa, the tension was palpable.
The early stages of the match saw Roman and Cody struggle to work together as a cohesive unit. Their history of distrust became evident as they often argued and refused to tag each other in, leaving themselves vulnerable to Jimmy and Solo’s quick offense. The Bloodline’s brutal tactics kept the two on the defensive, with Jimmy Uso delivering high-impact moves and Solo showcasing his raw strength and agility.
As the match wore on, the emotional toll began to show. Roman found himself conflicted—he was fighting his own flesh and blood, the very family he had once sworn to protect. Cody, on the other hand, was driven by his quest to redeem his family’s honor. The emotional intensity reached its peak when Roman locked eyes with Jimmy, realizing that his once-loyal cousin had now fully turned against him.
The turning point of the match came when Roman Reigns, visibly torn between his role as Tribal Chief and his personal attachment to his cousins, hesitated to deliver a decisive blow to Jimmy Uso. This moment of hesitation allowed Jimmy and Solo to gain the upper hand, punishing Roman with a series of brutal double-team moves.
Cody, realizing the match was slipping away, took matters into his own hands. With the crowd chanting his name, Cody hit his signature move, the “Cross Rhodes,” on Jimmy Uso, nearly securing the victory. But Solo Sikoa, known for his ruthless demeanor, was quick to intervene, breaking the pinfall and taking control once more.
The emotional weight of the match seemed to break Roman down. At one point, after an intense stare-down with Jimmy, tears welled in Roman’s eyes, showing just how much this battle was tearing the family apart. Cody, too, appeared emotional as he fought to overcome the odds stacked against them.
The final moments of the match were nothing short of heart-stopping. With both teams battered and bruised, it seemed like either side could claim victory. Roman and Cody, despite their differences, found a brief moment of unity. Roman speared Solo Sikoa, while Cody once again hit Jimmy with the Cross Rhodes. For a split second, it seemed like they had sealed the victory.
However, in a dramatic twist, Jey Uso made a surprise return, standing in the entranceway. His presence sent shockwaves through the arena as fans wondered which side he would choose. Would Jey finally put an end to The Bloodline’s reign, or would he rejoin his family?
In an unexpected and tearful conclusion, Jey interfered—this time, choosing to help his brother Jimmy. As Roman, emotionally shattered, struggled to rise to his feet, Jey delivered a superkick to Cody Rhodes, allowing Jimmy to score the pinfall victory.
The match ended with The Bloodline standing tall once more, but the victory came at a tremendous emotional cost. Roman Reigns, visibly broken by the events of the match, left the ring without celebrating. Cody Rhodes, meanwhile, sat in the ring, devastated by yet another loss in his quest to defeat The Bloodline.
The “Tearful War” between Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and The Bloodline wasn’t just about winning—it was about family, betrayal, and redemption. The emotional rollercoaster left fans in awe, wondering what the future holds for these WWE superstars as they continue on their journey to “Bad Blood.”
In the end, The Bloodline may have won the battle, but the war is far from over. With tensions running higher than ever, and with Jey Uso’s unexpected decision to side with his family, the WWE Universe is left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting what comes next on the road to “Bad Blood.”