The Bloodline remainsWWE’smost captivating storyline, going on for four years and with no sign of stopping.The Bloodline storyis now considered one of the longest storylines in pro wrestling history, and it gave birth toone of WWE’s greatest factions. The bulk of the story has been built off the backs of the Anoa’i family legacy. However, with all the exciting moments and compelling characters that this story has gifted to wrestling audiences, none was as well-received asSami Zayn’s role in The Bloodline.
Ironically, the one Bloodline member with no blood relations to the Anoa’i family is beloved as if he were part of the family. Some fans - and his “dawg” Jey Uso - would argue that"Sami Uso" ispart of the family.
The notion may sound preposterous on paper, but by looking back at the history of The Bloodline and Sami’s presence in it, it makes more sense as to why the Canadian superstar is deserving of his place as an Honorary Uso. With recent development teasing the return of Sami in the Original Bloodline to fight against Solo’s new incarnation of the group, it’s time to look back at the history of the Honorary Uce.
Sami Zayn’s Introduction to the WWE’s Bloodline, Joining on a Trial Run
Starting on the August 14, 2025, Episode of WWE SmackDown
Shortly after Roman Reigns wouldclose out his wrestling trilogywith Brock Lesnar by becoming the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion, he and the Bloodline would slowly enter a rivalry with would-be challenger, Drew McIntyre. McIntyre himself was already in the midst of a feud with Sami Zayn, who was outmatched and knew it. This would lead toZayn knocking on the door of the Bloodline’s locker room hoping for help. Still a full-blown heel, Zayn would attempt to weasel himself into the good graces of The Tribal Chief by exploiting the fact that they shared a problem with Drew McIntyre.
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In a matter of weeks, Zayn was calling himself a confidante to the Tribal Chief and a self-professed locker room leader ready to offer silent intel to Reigns through his special counsel, Paul Heyman.Even though the Bloodline wanted nothing to do with Sami Zayn, the latter convinced himself that he was a bonafide member, mirroring what R-Truth would later do with the Judgment Day. Eventually, Zayn approached the Usos asking to be an “honorary” member for the first time on the May 27 episode of SmackDown. While Jey was visibly not amused, Jimmy entertained the idea with a “why not?”, and became the first to begin befriending Sami Zayn.
Sami Becomes an Honorary Uce
Conquering the Family and Audiences
The Bloodline would treat Sami Zayn like a court jester who existed to make them laugh for their amusement. However, when Zayn helped The Usos defeat RK-Bro to become the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions on June 3,the Bloodline (and fans) slowly started to adore Sami’s oafish demeanor.At that point, The Bloodline at least starts viewing Zayn as an oaf they could manipulate. A particular turning point came on the August 19 episode of SmackDown, where Zayn pushed a lone Roman out the way of a Claymore, something Reigns would uncharacteristically thank Zayn for the following week.
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Jimmy Uso was buddy-buddy with Sami Zayn while Reigns was warming up to the former NXT Champion. Speaking of, weeks later after Clash at the Castle, Solo Sikoa was called up from NXT to join the Bloodline. Solo took a liking to Zayn instantly, trusting him more than he trusted his brothers. All but Jey were onboard the Zayn Train, but the rest of the team’s trust was enough. September 23’s SmackDown was critical, asRoman Reigns demanded that Zayn take-off his Bloodline shirt - so he could gift him his first Honorary Uce tee,officially indoctrinating Sami into the family.
Sami Zayn Brought Strife to the Bloodline
The Beginning of the End
Despite still being a heel, Sami Zayn was becoming beloved by the WWE Universe, evenbecoming WWE’s most entertaining Superstar. He provided some much-needed levity and comic relief to the always-serious Bloodline, and his presence added another layer to what was already a compelling story. It was hard not to fall in love with Zayn, especially as he finally achieved his goal to join The Bloodline - but that wouldn’t end his journey.His induction would only begin The Bloodline’s tests against Sami, especially as Roman Reigns entered a feud with frequent rival Kevin Owens, a former best friend of Zayn.
Sami would remain conflicted, but he’d always choose The Bloodline in each trial. Zayn proved instrumental in defeating Team KO at Survivor Series for WarGames, which would finally win Jey Uso into his good graces and get him feeling “ucey.” Zayn continued to be tested, being put on trial by The Bloodline in a move only Jey could bail him out of, but all good things must come to an end. Ultimately, his childhood friend Kevin Owens, along with the constant abuse and trials, managed to bring Sami back to the good side.
After KO came up short in another effort against the Tribal Chief, Sami was expected to attack him with a chair after their match at Royal Rumble 2023. However, Sami instead hit Roman with a chair shot that was heard around the world. Just as audiences got behind Sami during his sympathetic struggle to join the Bloodline, they got swayed by his struggle between friendship and loyalty. For a short Winter,Sami Zayn was the hottest babyface in the industry.
Sami Zayn is a Free Man … Or Is He?
Will Sami Join Forces with the OG Bloodline?
That’s when the real challenge began for Zayn. Once he stabbed Roman in the back, he drew the ire of Jimmy Uso immediately, who’d superkick him. Jey Uso, meanwhile, was wholly conflicted.Jey went from openly hating Sami Zayn to seeing him as family, but turning on his actual family was another matter. When Zayn challenged Reigns for his WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber 2023, every member of the crowd in Montreal believed he would win, yet Jey’s distraction led to Zayn losing the bout.
In retaliation, Zayn would rekindle his friendship with Kevin Owens to dethrone The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles in the main event of WrestleMania 39 Night One. Zayn and Owens would continue feuding with The Bloodline, later retaining the titles against Reigns and Sikoa at Night of Champions. During this whole time,Zayn tried to play the voice of reason in Jey Uso’s ear,eventually leading to Jey Uso breaking away from The Bloodline himselfand becoming one of the biggest singles stars currently in WWE.
After WrestleMania, Jey and Sami would renew their friendship as members of the Raw roster. Having lost all of its titles and two of its members, with Roman stepping away from the scenes after Mania, the Bloodline inevitably crumbled, and Solo Sikoa overtook the family and claimed the title of Tribal Chief, creating a new Bloodline with the dangerous Tongans and Jacob Fatu. However, Sami Zayn’s role in this story is not over yet.
AfterRoman Reigns' explosive return to reclaim the title of Tribal Chief, The Usos also reunited, and together with Roman they tried to fight back against Solo and his savages. During Crown Jewel 2024, Sami rushed to the ring to save Jey (officially), but he ended up hitting Roman with a Helluva Kick in the process. Zayn called out his former brothers ona recent episode of Rawto explain his actions. While Jimmy remains cold to Zayn, despite being the first to accept him into the family, Jey proudly declared thatSami is family.
At this point, Roman’s response will be what will tip the scale regarding Sami’s renewed role with the Bloodline. While the Canadian superstar has expressed no desire to join again or go through the trials, he seems willing to help. However, the shadow of his kick to Roman still lingers, making fans think this could all be a ruse andSami Zayncould turn heel again. As WarGames approaches, a reunion feels inevitable, but everything is still possible, proving once again thatThe Bloodlinestory is the gift that keeps on giving for WWE fans.
