Solo Sikoa has defeated Jacob Fatu to win the WWE United States Championship, ending Fatu 70-day reign. Both men traded powerhouse moves in the electric clash in Riyadh, but the arrival of Tonga Loa and the introduction of Hikuleo (who would later be known as Tala Tonga) were the difference-makers. Hikuleo finished it with a deadly chokeslam to slam Fatu to announce table - which opened the door to Sikoa to get the final pin.
Fatu had only made one successful defense since becoming a champion at WrestleMania 41 when he defeated LA Knight. When solo wins pinfall match at Night of Champions June 28, his reign ends precisely 70 days later.
Brotherhood Tested, New Bloodline Leadership Emerges
The conflict has reached its boiling point earlier this month when he betrayed Sikoa during Money in the Bank ladder match on June 7, breaking away of the Bloodline. The competition was crystallized in Riyadh Sikoa, not a mere enforcer anymore, but a real leader of faction, gathered reinforcements at the moment when it was really needed.
The after-game attitude of Sikoa is an indication that he is becoming more confident in his new single-championship status. This is arguably the largest solo award of his career as Sources observes. In the meantime, social media viewers have pointed out how his strategic use of Bloodline family played a key role in the win there is no doubt that without them, Sikoa would not have secured the win.
Sikoa has taken over a bigger responsibility as new US Champion. This is his gold himself and biggest singles main roster and is a sign that WWE has big plans in placing him as a leader in the Bloodline stable.
In the future, relationship between Fatu and Sikoa that had been shattered could become a source of a flammable feud. Fatu, who has been stripped of his crown to the bone, is supposed to want revenge, and Sikoa is now in a position to become center of an interesting power-struggle plot in Bloodline.