Rikishi Says The Rock Missed Perfect Chance to Turn Heel After Tribal Combat

Rikishi didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts on the monumental Tribal Combat match between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa, which headlined WWE’s debut episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix. The match itself was chaotic, with appearances from stars like Sami Zayn, Jimmy Uso, Jacob Fatu, Cody Rhodes, Tama Tonga, and Kevin Owens. In the end, Roman Reigns stood tall, solidifying his reign as “The Tribal Chief.”

But the real shock came after the match. When it was time for Paul Heyman to present the Ula Fala to Roman, The Rock appeared and personally handed it over, embracing Roman in a moment filled with respect and admiration. While the scene captivated fans worldwide, Rikishi, Roman’s uncle and Solo’s father, had some intriguing thoughts on what could have been.

Speaking on his Off The Top podcast, Rikishi admitted he was proud of his family’s success but couldn’t help imagining a twist. “If Rock wanted to turn heel, what a perfect time to do it,” Rikishi said. He believed the historic moment offered the ideal opportunity to plant seeds for a future match between The Rock and Roman Reigns. “It was a good way of The Rock validating, somewhat like passing the torch over to [Roman],” he continued, referencing the cultural and familial significance of the Ula Fala.

Rikishi also admitted he expected The Rock to get physical in some way, whether with Roman or a heel opponent who could take a Rock Bottom or a People’s Elbow. “But instead, it was all island love,” he joked, reflecting on the family-centric tone of the segment.

For now, fans are left wondering if WWE is setting the stage for an eventual clash between Roman Reigns and The Rock. Rikishi seems to think the seeds have been planted, even if nothing happened just yet.