The Bloodline, Cody Rhodes, and CM Punk credited for surprise WWE success - Reports

The new era of WWE is moving forward. This week marked 400 days since the merger with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings. The period has brought significant success, optimism, and intrigue to the company and its fanbase. Officials recently enjoyed surprise gains in one area, and leaked information is revealing how The Bloodline, CM Punk, and Cody Rhodes are being credited.

WWE Bad Blood marked the 27th anniversary of the inaugural event, which featured the first-ever Hell in a Cell match. CM Punk defeated Drew McIntyre in the HIAC opener. Roman Reigns returned to the ring in the main event, teaming with Cody Rhodes to defeat Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. The match led to the returns of Jimmy Uso and The Rock.

Bad Blood drew 12,400 buys on traditional pay-per-view. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter adds that this is the highest number of standard pay-per-view buys for a B-level PLE in 2024 so far.

The traditional PPV buys for Bad Blood were up 47.2% from what Bash in Berlin drew on August 31, around 8,400 buys. Out of the fans who purchased Bad Blood, more than 73% did not buy Bash in Berlin, while around 7% bought AEW WrestleDream on traditional pay-per-view.

Backstage sources report major internal credit and praise given to Punk, Rhodes, and members of The Bloodline. It was reiterated how Cody is seen as the workhorse champion that leaves fans satisfied after they've engaged with the product. Furthermore, a source pointed to how Punk is now the legitimate attraction he always wanted to be, and business with The Bloodline is still booming.

World Wrestling Entertainment still draws traditional pay-per-view buys for each PLE. These numbers have been down since the WWE Network launch, and most of the buys come from largely rural areas, as PLEs mainly air on Peacock these days.

Officials went back and forth for weeks over the Bad Blood main event, with the Hell in a Cell match considered for the show-closer at one point. The company ended up giving the spot to the tag team match, which further cements the drawing power of The Bloodline's storyline. The buzz surrounding Bad Blood continued with the post-match return of The Rock, and the post-show brawl between Rhodes and Kevin Owens.

The Bloodline update for WWE SmackDown

Tonight's WWE SmackDown will see The Bloodline featured in multiple segments. The episode will serve as the follow-up to last week's beatdown on Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns by Solo Sikoa and his crew.

WWE previously announced an in-ring promo by Jimmy and Roman for tonight. However, the company has since announced a face-off between Reigns and Sikoa. The segment with Reigns and Uso is also being advertised.

Jimmy lost last week's return match against Sikoa, but it remains to be seen if he will get another opportunity. WWE is teasing that Reigns and Uso will get some help with their heel family members, just days after Jey Uso denied his brother on RAW.