Final Days of The Bloodline Story, CM Punk's WWE Royal Rumble Plans, More Quick Takes (2025)

Final Days of The Bloodline Story, CM Punk's WWE Royal Rumble Plans, More Quick Takes

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    Final Days of The Bloodline Story, CM Punk's WWE Royal Rumble Plans, More Quick Takes (1)

    WWE's Bloodline story finally finds itself in the bottom of the ninth.Credit: WWE.com

    It was made abundantly clear on WWE Raw's Netflix premiere that the long-running Bloodline storyline is on its last legs following Roman Reigns' decisive victory against Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat.

    Although Solo Sikoa was absent from the subsequent SmackDown, it's unknown what the fallout from his latest loss will be, leaving his future with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Regardless of where WWE goes next will all involved, the story should be in its final stretch heading into WrestleMania 41.

    Later that same night on Raw, CM Punk knocked off Seth Rollins in a thriller before announcing his intentions on the post-show to challenge for world title gold. Adding Punk to an already-star-studded Royal Rumble match featuring John Cena and Roman Reigns would be a logical move, but Gunther needs an opponent for the event and Punk fits the bill better than anyone at the moment.

    Not only would Gunther vs. Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship be an additional attraction for the Rumble, it'd also create several exciting possibilities for both men on the Road to WrestleMania.

    This installment of Quick Takes will delve into the benefits of Punk being next in line for Gunther, 'Mania not needing The Rock, a WWE return looking likely for AEW's Malakai Black, and more.

Solo Sikoa's Imminent Exit from The Bloodline Should Be the Story's Final Chapter

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    It would be virtually impossible for Solo Sikoa to continue serving as The Bloodline's leader after failing to unseat Roman Reigns as the true Tribal Chief. Thus, the next move must be Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga exiling him from the group on the upcoming edition of SmackDown.

    Sikoa has said on multiple occasions that losing has consequences, yet he's lost more than anyone else in The Bloodline in the last six months. A babyface turn would be abrupt, but it is imperative that he branch off on his own and form his own identity outside of The Bloodline.

    Sikoa vs. Fatu one-on-one at WrestleMania 41 would land them both a spot on the card and put a definitive end to the Bloodline angle for the foreseeable future.

    There's little story left to tell with the current and former members while Reigns, the focal point of the stable since its start in 2020, is ready to move on to other adversaries. It's had its fair share of highlights and low points in the past five years, but it would be wise for WWE to culminate it before it begins to lose more of its luster.

    Fatu beating Sikoa at The Show of Shows to cement his status as a singles star on the rise would be the appropriate payoff at this stage of the storyline.

WrestleMania 41 Does Not Need The Rock

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    The Rock was a key component to the buildup to WrestleMania 40 being as unpredictable and as fun to follow as it was. Of course, he was also to blame for the uneasy start and conflicting creative direction, and already it looks like those same mistakes are being repeated as the Road to WrestleMania 41 gets underway.

    Contrary to popular belief, Rock did nothing to confirm his 'Mania involvement this year with his return to Raw on Jan. 6. The Final Boss addressed the audience, acknowledged Roman Reigns and went so far as to share a hug and a handshake with his former foe Cody Rhodes, but unlike last year, no seeds were planted for whatever he intends to do in WWE next.

    That doesn't completely rule out that he'll wrestle or appear at the event, but it does create a cloud of uncertainty during the promotion's most pivotal period of the year. Royal Rumble season is when WWE traditionally locks in its biggest bouts for WrestleMania and WWE will need advance notice as to whether Rock will be able to take part in the pay-per-view.

    With the deep roster the company currently boasts, a compelling card can easily be put together without Rock written into any plans, though there's no reason to cool off Rock vs. Rhodes in the meantime by erasing any animosity they had left in storyline.

Malakai Black Is Due a Redemption Run in WWE Following Failed AEW Stint

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    Optimism surrounded Malakai Black's AEW arrival in the summer of 2021 after his unceremonious release from WWE. He was vastly underutilized in his final few years at WWE and AEW had the opportunity to showcase him as the star he had the potential to be.

    His entry feud with Cody Rhodes got him off to a strong start, but beyond forming his own faction, he never quite reached the heights he should have and was primarily relegated to the tag team ranks. A reign as AEW World Trios champion was the most success he achieved during his time in the promotion.

    Per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is WWE interest in Black amid reports that he will be contractually free from AEW in the coming months. Andrade found himself in a similar spot a year ago and has had a nice return run for himself on SmackDown since then.

    Black may never be the main-event player fans hoped he would be years ago, but with proper direction, he can be a welcome addition to either Raw or SmackDown pre- or-post-WrestleMania and hopefully regain some of the aura he once had backed by the WWE machine, purely from a presentation standpoint.

    His history with Seth Rollins from prior to his departure makes that a no-brainer of a rivalry to revisit if and when he's ready to return.

Becky Lynch Is a Better Fit in the Women's IC Title Picture Upon Raw Return

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    Becky Lynch has been expected back in WWE by fans for months and Raw's Netflix premiere would have been an ideal time for her to resurface given her involvement in the advertising for the big debut.

    Rhea Ripley regaining the Women's World Championship from Liv Morgan on that show all but confirms she'll be walking into WrestleMania 41 as the defending champ. A rematch with Lynch from last year's installment would be a marquee match, but it lacks storyline support with there being little reason for it to actually happen again.

    Rather, Lynch would be a better fit in the all-new Women's Intercontinental Championship picture.

    Lynch has held every other active title in WWE many times over, but the IC title presents her with something new to chase and immediately gives the championship credibility regardless of whether she wins it or not.

    Dakota Kai would be a perfectly acceptable inaugural champion, but Lyra Valkyria taking that title and putting it on the line at 'Mania against her mentor Lynch—the same woman she beat for the NXT Women's Championship in October 2023—would be a much better use of The Man at the event.

CM Punk Should Bypass the Royal Rumble to Challenge Gunther for the World Title

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    Gunther has been desperate need of fresh competition for his World Heavyweight Championship.

    The Ring General has been largely absent from WWE programming since retaining his title against Finn Bálor and Damian Priest in a Triple Threat at Saturday Night's Main Event on Dec. 14. No one from the Raw roster stands out as an obvious choice to challenge him at the Royal Rumble aside from CM Punk.

    The Second City Saint has gone on the record in saying that with Seth Rollins now in his rear view, he's fully focused on holding world title gold again. Winning his first Rumble would guarantee him an opportunity at the prestigious prize on The Grandest Stage of Them All, but it makes more sense to bypass the Rumble all together and go straight for the strap at the event itself.

    A victory for Gunther would give him a massive momentum boost while Punk becoming champ would guarantee that the title is defended in a high-profile match at WrestleMania 41. Whether it be Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins or someone else entirely, Punk has a plethora of possible opponents for 'Mania and belongs in one of this year's two main-events after having to miss last year's due to injury.

    It would be a considerable upgrade over Gunther vs. Logan Paul for the World Heavyweight Championship if WWE were to go forward with that match as reported by PWInsider Elite.

    Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.

Final Days of The Bloodline Story, CM Punk's WWE Royal Rumble Plans, More Quick Takes (2025)

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