For three years, Roman Reigns maintained an unchallenged reign as champion. However, that streak came to an end at Night of Champions 2023 when he teamed up with Solo Sikoa from the Bloodline to face Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens for WWE’s tag team titles. The event in Jeddah marked a significant moment as Reigns left with record losses and shattered legacies built over three years.
The match kicked off with Sami Zayn, a former Bloodline member, entering the Saudi Arabian arena for the first time since 2014. The atmosphere electrified as Zayn clashed verbally with Reigns before he and Sikoa engaged in physical exchanges. Kevin Owens made his entrance to break the standoff, marking his comeback to the Saudi matches since 2018.
While Zayn and Owens evenly distributed their time in the ring, Sikoa focused on isolating Zayn during pivotal moments of the match. Despite Reigns’ efforts to maintain control, Owens unleashed his fury, leading to a series of intense exchanges that strained Reigns’ composure.
A surprising spear from Reigns opened the door for Zayn to land powerful Superman punches. Reigns retaliated, but Owens’ fierce assault turned the tide. The chaotic fight allowed Jimmy and Jay Uso to interfere in favor of Reigns, but a flurry of superkicks led to their downfall, allowing Zayn and Owens to execute a stunning combo that secured them the titles.
Solo Sikoa took the pin, marking a significant defeat for Reigns. This loss introduced pinfall defeats to his record after a long period of invincibility, while the Usos’ betrayal further fractured the Bloodline. This moment foreshadowed future events, leading to Money in the Bank 2023 where Reigns once again teamed up with Sikoa against the Usos, who ultimately dealt Reigns his first official pinfall loss in three years.
Reigns’ decline is a narrative unto itself, and the outcome of this match could signify the close of an era. The impact of Zayn and Owens retaining their titles continues to resonate, marking a pivotal moment in WWE history that deserves a place on your Night of Champions watchlist.
Fan Take: This shift in power dynamics is monumental for wrestling fans, signaling the potential end of Reigns’ dominance and opening the door for new storylines. It not only alters the championship landscape but also creates exciting possibilities for rivalries and character developments moving forward.
