Roman Reigns to replace Jimmy Uso with former WWE champion after SmackDown? Potential swerve explored

Roman Reigns' absence from the recent episode of WWE SmackDown surprised fans. One possible reason for his absence could be his impending move to RAW following its Netflix debut. Despite Reigns being missing, the company may have subtly hinted at a major potential replacement for Jimmy Uso in the OG Bloodline.

Currently, Jimmy is off television due to a real-life injury he suffered at Survivor Series: WarGames 2024. He is out indefinitely, sparking speculation that Roman Reigns might temporarily replace him in the faction. During the recent SmackDown episode, Solo Sikoa's Bloodline wreaked havoc both in the ring and backstage.

In a backstage altercation, they attacked Apollo Crews without any apparent reason. This incident raises speculation that Roman Reigns could recruit Apollo Crews to fill Jimmy Uso’s spot. The Nigerian Prince shares a history with the OTC dating back to the pandemic era. This happened when Reigns was once seen advising the 37-year-old in a backstage segment, although this storyline was never fully developed.

With Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline targeting Crews, WWE now has a fitting opportunity to capitalize on that angle. Even temporarily, including Apollo Crews in The Bloodline could elevate his status on the main roster and draw more fan attention to him. Additionally, the former United States Champion might seek revenge for the attack, possibly reaching out to Roman Reigns himself in an attempt to join him.

While the likelihood of this scenario isn’t very high, it will be interesting to see how the storyline develops in the coming weeks.

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When is Roman Reigns expected to appear on WWE television next?

Roman Reigns is no longer advertised for any upcoming events by the Stamford-based promotion. Initially, he was scheduled to appear on Saturday Night's Main Event on December 14.

However, WWE later removed him from the advertising and officially confirmed his absence. This raises the question of when The OTC will return to WWE.

The answer could be the highly anticipated RAW Netflix debut show, set to air live on January 6, 2025. The red brand’s Netflix debut is already expected to feature several significant stars, with John Cena being the major confirmed name for the special event.

Given the significance of the occasion, the chances seem high that the OTC could return on RAW’s Netflix debut to continue The Bloodline Saga and make a massive impact in WWE’s new era.