4 reasons why Solo Sikoa lost the Steel Cage Match on WWE SmackDown - Issues within The Bloodline, major rivalry with Roman Reigns?

Cody Rhodes defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Solo Sikoa in the first match of tonight's edition of SmackDown. It was the first episode of WWE SmackDown on the USA Network following WWE's deal with FOX coming to an end after five years.

Rhodes picked up the victory tonight over Sikoa, but The Bloodline attacked following the match. Roman Reigns returned to make the save and confronted his former faction. The Original Tribal Chief locked himself in the cage with the faction and beat everyone down.

Listed below are four reasons Solo Sikoa lost the Steel Cage against Cody Rhodes on SmackDown.

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#4. WWE has no plans for Solo Sikoa as the world champion

SmackDown - Source: Getty

Solo Sikoa has now come up short in multiple opportunities to become champion. He lost to Cody Rhodes last month at WWE SummerSlam following Roman Reigns' return and came up short once again tonight.

Sikoa took over as the leader of The Bloodline during Roman Reigns' hiatus but has failed to capture a title so far. The promotion could simply not view the 31-year-old as a major champion, and he could be out of the title picture following the loss tonight on SmackDown.

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#3. Jacob Fatu could become the new leader of the heel faction

Cody Rhodes suggested he defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Jacob Fatu instead of Solo Sikoa during last week's episode of SmackDown. Fatu turned down the opportunity, and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announced the Steel Cage match between Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa for tonight's show.

Jacob Fatu could be disappointed with Sikoa as the leader of The Bloodline and may decide to betray his stablemate. The promotion may be set for a massive storyline between Sikoa and Fatu in the weeks ahead on the blue brand. Fatu could claim that he would do a better job as Tribal Chief, and attempt to take over as the new leader of the group after Sikoa failed to become champion once again.

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#2. The Bloodline storyline doesn't need a title

SmackDown - Source: Getty

Sikoa has made several changes since becoming the leader of The Bloodline. Roman Reigns went on hiatus following his loss to Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania XL, and Sikoa decided to make himself The Tribal Chief. Sikoa has kicked Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman out of The Bloodline so far and welcomed Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa to the group.

Roman Reigns clearly is not in favor of Solo Sikoa's decisions as the leader of The Bloodline, as he made sure to cost the SmackDown star his chance at the Undisputed WWE Championship last month at SummerSlam.

The company may be planning a massive WarGames match featuring the new and old versions of The Bloodline at WWE Survivor Series next month, and that storyline does not need a championship attached to capture the attention of wrestling fans.

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#1. The rivalry between Solo Sikoa and Cody Rhodes has come to an end

Cody Rhodes has been involved in a bitter rivalry with The Bloodline for months, but The American Nightmare may finally be ready to move on. Solo Sikoa has failed twice now to defeat him, and there isn't much of a reason for the rivalry to continue.

Sikoa was defeated clean tonight on WWE SmackDown by Rhodes. The champion connected with a Crossbody off the top of the cage, and followed it up with a Cross Rhodes for the pinfall victory. Rhodes signified that his rivalry with Sikoa was finished following the match before the heel faction attacked him from behind.

Roman Reigns made the save and had a stare-down with Jacob Fatu. However, Sikoa dragged the Samoan Werewolf out of the ring before the two stars could battle. Cody Rhodes then helped Roman Reigns and took out Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga.