Ladies and gentlemen, start your subscriptions. The Netflix debut of WWE Raw is serving up family dysfunction the likes of which even therapy couldn’t untangle. In an announcement that had more tension than a Thanksgiving dinner gone wrong, Roman Reigns has officially challenged his younger cousin, Solo Sikoa, to a Tribal Combat Match on the Raw premiere.
For those unfamiliar, Tribal Combat is essentially “Thanksgiving rules” for Samoan wrestling royalty:
- No disqualification—because someone is going through a table.
- No outside interference—though the Bloodline doesn’t know the definition of “outside.”
- Family drama is aired publicly—like a reality show but with suplexes and better choreography.
In a SmackDown vignette, Roman—looking like the tribal elder who’s two weeks away from flipping the monopoly board—made it clear: Solo has to earn the ulafala (the Samoan necklace symbolizing chiefdom). Because nothing says “promotion within the family” like having your cousin hit you with a steel chair.
This generational duel comes hot off the heels of Survivor Series: WarGames, where Roman, alongside Sami Zayn, CM Punk, and the Usos, bested Solo’s new faction, leaving Solo with the energy of a kid who definitely just got grounded. In short, Solo’s walking into Raw with something to prove, while Roman is probably preparing a speech that begins with, “Acknowledge me, but gently.”
The match also marks the second-ever Tribal Combat bout, the first being at SummerSlam 2023 when Roman Reigns defeated Jey Uso and kept his shiny Undisputed WWE Championship belt. This time, it’s personal. Well, more personal.
Netflix is billing this as its premiere main event for Raw, but fans know the truth: The Bloodline saga doesn’t just break records. It breaks tables, chairs, and occasionally the hearts of Samoan elders. Will Solo step out of Roman’s shadow? Will Roman keep his tribal tax-exemption status as Head of the Table? Tune in, because “Netflix and Chokeslam” sounds way more fun than Netflix and Chill.