The 10 lasting WWE reverberations from Solo Sikoa’s Samoan spike to Roman Reigns

The Twist at KeyBank Center

Solo Sikoa's decision to deliver a Samoan Spike to Roman Reigns — rather than the intended target, L.A. Knight — to close Monday Night Raw at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on August 17, 2026, has set off a wave of speculation about the future of the Bloodline storyline. Reports from Heavy, the New York Post, and Times Now each highlighted the moment, with Heavy describing it as a moment that recalled Sami Zayn's 2023 confrontation with Reigns and suggesting the reverberations would be felt in the WWE for years to come.

According to Times Now, Sikoa had been deciding whether to rejoin the original Bloodline, but instead attacked Reigns, making clear he would not return to the group and would continue performing independently. The event, captured in photos distributed via WWE/Getty Images, shows Sikoa in action against Reigns, setting up a potential rivalry that analysts say could dominate WWE programming in the coming weeks.

Roman Reigns' Schedule and Title Picture

Roman Reigns, currently the World Heavyweight Champion, was present on Raw this week but is not advertised for next week's show, per Times Now. The champion's next appearance is scheduled for August 28, with WWE tapping the final Raw of the month that day or shortly after Smackdown, and fans can watch the broadcast on August 31.

Times Now notes that Reigns has been on a part-time WWE deal since 2022, a status that has allowed him to remain a top star while appearing less frequently. The outlet also outlined the champion's recent history: he retained the title in the main event of WrestleMania 39, lost it to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, and then won the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time by defeating CM Punk in the main event of WrestleMania 42, having earned the opportunity by winning the 2026 Royal Rumble.

Since winning the belt, Reigns has defended it three times, defeating Jacob Fatu in two consecutive premium live events and then beating Seth Rollins in the SummerSlam 2026 main event. His next title defense is scheduled for September 14 in Mexico, where WWE is staging a tournament to determine his challenger, with Penta reported as the favorite to earn his first world championship match in WWE. Following that, Reigns is expected to defend the title again at Money in the Bank on October 10, with LA Knight or Solo Sikoa noted as potential opponents.

Seth Rollins' Absence Explained

Seth Rollins has been absent from WWE programming since his SummerSlam clash with Reigns, and reports clarify that his time away is not due to injury. According to WrestleVotes, sources describe the absence as a creative decision — a simple break, not an injury. The same report provides a rough timeline for Rollins' return, targeting before October 10, when WWE hosts Money in the Bank in New Orleans.

Rollins' last appearance was SummerSlam Night 2 at US Bank Stadium, where he and Reigns competed in a 30-minute main event, described as hard-hitting and sprawling across the arena. The match saw Reigns prevail, marking his first singles win over Rollins without outside interference, followed by a fist bump between the two, a nod to their time in The Shield. Reports mention Rollins was slammed through the announce table and took three consecutive Spears during the bout.

Rollins had said in July that he and Reigns are "much closer to the end than they are to the beginning," a statement that adds weight to the emotional tone of the SummerSlam ending. His absence, the reasoning goes, allows that moment to resonate.

Other Storyline Notes

Drew McIntyre has been absent from WWE programming since his match against Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42, as noted in the available reports. Additionally, Reigns is confirmed to participate in the WarGames match at Survivor Series 2026, according to one report. He also defeated LA Knight and Solo Sikoa at Money in the Bank, though details of that match were not extensively detailed in the provided material.