Power Four conferences as WWE Bloodline members

This past weekend, the NCAA football regular season reached its conclusion with a rivalry weekend to remember. Not only was there an amazing slate of games, but there was enough fighting over flag planting to where it felt like WWE had infected college football for a day. Speaking of WWE, they held their annual Survivor Series: Wargames on Saturday too. On that show, one of the most dominant factions in wrestling history, the Bloodline, reunited for the first time in over a year.

In celebration of this event, I decided to combine two of my favorite things, college football and professional wrestling, into an article for your reading pleasure. I’ll be comparing each of the Power Four Conferences to a member of the Bloodline.

Maybe this will teach you something about wrestling. Maybe it can teach you about college football. Either way, let’s waste no further time and springboard right on in.

SEC: Roman Reigns

Every group needs a leader. They need a franchise player, a tribal chief, a head of the table. For college football, it’s the SEC. Not only have they produced the most NFL talent of the Power Four, but before Michigan’s championship win last year, you would have had to go back to the 2018-19 season to find a non-SEC champ.

Like the SEC, Roman Reigns was on top of the WWE for four years. He has the longest WWE Championship reign since Hulk Hogan in the mid-1980s. He held the title from August of 2020 until April of this year. His dominance has been matched by few in the history of a sport that has been around about as long as college football. And like the SEC on the gridiron, a certain portion of fans hate him for his perceived standing in wrestling.

Big 10: Main Event Jey Uso

Every leader needs a sidekick, a Robin to a Batman, a right-hand man if you will. That is the role the Big Ten has played for the SEC. They are almost equal but just a touch below them in standing. Enter Jey Uso, who was the right-hand man of Roman Reigns. Jey was in the shadow of Roman, unable to be his own man while being on the edge of breaking out into stardom. He eventually broke out in 2023 and helped end Roman’s reign.

The Big Ten has always been in the shadow of the SEC, almost like a second fiddle. Finally, however, they gained some recognition of their own after Michigan’s national title. They view themselves as equals to the SEC. Both have an endearing quality too. For Jey, it’s his “Yeet” chant and for the Big Ten, it’s Big Ten football.

ACC: Jimmy Uso

Much like the ACC is behind the SEC and Big 10 pecking order, Jimmy was stuck behind Jey and Roman in the Bloodline hierarchy. Neither one of them has a true identity and acts as more of a supporting piece than as the main attraction. That is not to take a dig at either, because you need a supporting cast to help the main characters stand out. Jimmy has people that love him just like the ACC, even if they may not be the biggest star.

Big 12: Sami Zayn

The Big 12 can occasionally be seen as the red-headed stepchild of the power conferences. Sami Zayn is seen as the red-headed Canadian who lacks blood relation to the rest of the Bloodline, but through sheer force of persistence, he was adopted into the family. Both Zayn and the Big 12 are beloved by fans because of their quirkiness and charisma.

The Big 12 is the wild west that fans love to see as a contrast from the other styles of football. Sami Zayn is the acrobat with a unique style compared to the rest of the Bloodline both in the ring and on the microphone. They both hold a special place in my heart.

Before we wrap things up, I wanted to show some love to the Pac 12, seeing as it will make its return in the near future, especially with its history and prestige, much like the man they compare to.

Pac-12: Paul Heyman

The Pac-12 is the granddaddy of college football. Elders are typically full of experience, expertise and most importantly wisdom. Enter the wise man, and his name is Paul Heyman. Heyman changed the wrestling landscape in the mid-90s with ECW, just like how the Pac-12 changed college football with both the air raid-style offenses and Pac-12 After Dark.

That’s not their only similarity, however. Both came crumbling down in dramatic fashion. Heyman got put through a table and Madison Square Garden and the Pac-12 got raided by the Big Ten and Big 12.

Soon, both will rise from the ashes and return to their former glory in short order.

Nate Johns is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jzn5275@psu.edu.