Randy Orton's direction as WWE heads toward the biggest party of the summer is unclear as of this writing, which is strange considering the veteran's status in the company. He tagged alongside Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes in a losing effort to The Bloodline last weekend in the main event of Money in the Bank.
During the contest, which marked Jacob Fatu's WWE debut, the Samoan Werewolf ate a Rope Hung DDT from Randy Orton. It is a trademark move of the 14-time World Champion but Fatu got up immediately after receiving it.
Taking to Instagram, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi recapped this moment. The legendary Attitude Era name highlighted the Samoan Dynasty while looking at the "beast" that is Jacob Fatu:
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Rikishi is a keen follower of what the Anoa'i family is up to on SmackDown. Ahead of the blue brand's upcoming episode, The Bloodline's new leader Solo Sikoa seemingly claimed that it is a new beginning. Perhaps a title contest is in his future with The American Nightmare.
Kevin Owens shares a heartfelt message to the WWE Universe in Toronto off-air
One night prior to Money in the Bank, Kevin Owens disclosed that his mother was in the hospital. He informed the crowd in Toronto, Canada that he was in his hometown Quebec five days ago and that his mother's hospitalization was an emergency for an undisclosed medical condition.
Post-show the following night, Owens picked up a microphone and broke character. He told the crowd that it was the hardest weekend he had to endure in his life:
"This was the hardest weekend of my life in the business and you guys helped me get through it. Being in the ring with two guys I looked up to my entire career, two legends, two guys I'd take a bullet for any day. So thank you, thank you, thank you."
The Prizefighter and Randy Orton had taken it upon themselves in the last few months to take down The Bloodline. But the Samoans keep growing as a unit. It remains to be seen what is in store for R-KO on SmackDown.
Tune in to Sportskeeda Wrestling as we will have updates as soon as SmackDown goes live on air!