Roman Reigns Returns At SummerSlam, Helps Cody Rhodes Retain The Undisputed WWE Championship

After months away, Roman Reigns made his return in the closing moments of WWE SummerSlam. 

The main event of SummerSlam saw Cody Rhodes defend the Undisputed WWE Championship in a Bloodline Rules Match against Solo Sikoa. The match was reminiscent of WrestleMania 40, featuring plenty of interference from the likes of Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens but the match came down to the two competitors in the closing moments. 

With both men down, Roman Reigns' music suddenly filled Cleveland Browns Stadium and Roman Reigns made his way to the ring in an 'Original Tribal Chief' shirt. Reigns then loaded up his arm and laid out Solo Sikoa with a Superman Punch and a Spear. The Big Dog then looked on respectfully at Cody Rhodes as the Undisputed WWE Champion hit a fifth Cross Rhodes on Sikoa to pick up the win. 

Roman Reigns hadn't appeared on WWE TV since he dropped the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship (since renamed to the Undisputed WWE Championship) to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. 

Solo Sikoa asserted his own control over The Bloodline in Reigns’ absence, recruiting the likes of Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa to the faction while kicking out Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman. Part of Sikoa’s dominance saw him proclaim himself as ‘The Tribal Chief’ and wear the ula fala necklace, while Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu became World Tag Team Champions.