Roman Reigns to appear on WWE SmackDown

We won’t have to wait long until Roman Reigns’ next WWE appearance.

After making his return at SummerSlam, Reigns is set to appear on this week’s SmackDown from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He’s among the talent advertised for the show on WWE’s website. The arena also put out an announcement today confirming that Reigns will be at SmackDown this Friday night (August 9).

“The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns is back and he’s making his first TV appearance right here in Tulsa this FRIDAY! See Roman Reigns at WWE Friday Night SmackDown after the fallout of SummerSlam,” the BOK Center wrote.

Reigns was away from WWE for four months after dropping the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. He showed up during the Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa main event at SummerSlam, laying out Sikoa with a Superman punch and a spear. Rhodes defeated Sikoa to remain Undisputed WWE Champion.

While Reigns was gone from WWE television, Sikoa took control of The Bloodline and anointed himself as the new Tribal Chief. He introduced Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Jacob Fatu into the faction while betraying Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman.

Reigns is calling himself the “Original Tribal Chief.” It looks like WWE is building to a Bloodline civil war with babyface Reigns and heel Sikoa as the two leaders.

In storyline, Reigns is currently a free agent (not a member of either the SmackDown or Raw roster). He wasn’t included in the 2024 WWE Draft since it took place during his time away from TV.