The world of professional wrestling saw heightened drama this week as Cody Rhodes called out by Kai Cenat on WWE SmackDown set social media abuzz, while fans continued dissecting recent shakeups in WWE and TNA. On Monday, GUNTHER ended Jey Uso’s 51-day reign as WWE World Heavyweight Champion on WWE RAW, triggering criticism from WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi over his son’s booking and title run.
Meanwhile, on SmackDown, Kai Cenat responded forcefully after being namedropped by Cody Rhodes, raising questions about potential celebrity involvement in upcoming WWE events. At the same time, the tag team known as The IInspiration marked a notable return to the wrestling scene, as the world of professional wrestling entered a period defined by intense rivalries, strategic shifts, and renewed ambitions for veteran performers and newcomers alike.
GUNTHER’s Win Ends Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Title Reign
Jey Uso’s time at the top came to an abrupt halt on this week’s episode of WWE RAW, streamed on Netflix, as GUNTHER secured a decisive victory, ending Uso’s 51-day title run. Uso’s reign was particularly meaningful as he became the fourth member of his family, whose legacy looms large in WWE, to hold the esteemed championship. His dramatic win at WrestleMania 41 felt like a crowning moment, leading WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi—Jey’s father—to celebrate his son’s accomplishments alongside fans in attendance.
However, Rikishi soon found himself voicing sharp disapproval regarding how WWE managed Jey’s championship storyline. On the Off the Top podcast, Rikishi made clear that he believed the creative direction failed to elevate Jey as a main event-level singles star. Citing his son’s longstanding dedication and the popularity of his “YEET” merchandise, Rikishi questioned the decision for such a brief title stint and challenged the creative leadership’s approach:
“Are we talking about a kid who’s put in over 16 years of work? A kid who, alongside his brother, moved mountains in merchandise sales? Now, as a singles star, ‘YEET’ is flying off the shelves. You gave him the spot — he didn’t take it, you gave it to him — and then you fail him? That’s on creative. If you can’t come up with something strong to keep pushing your champion, maybe you shouldn’t be writing for him. Fire ‘em. Let someone else do it. I’ve got no issue with GUNTHER — he’s a hell of a talent. But 51 days? That’s all Jey gets? Same with the Intercontinental run — short-lived. Why? Would they have done that to Randy Orton? To John Cena? You can’t just throw someone the title and then not give them anything to work with.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
Highlighting the personal investment required of performers who reach WWE’s upper echelon, Rikishi further emphasized his disappointment in the creative narrative:
“This kid put his heart and soul into getting to that main event spot. When he finally gets there, you don’t do him justice. That’s the real problem.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
For Rikishi, these events represented not just a mishandling of his son’s spotlight but also a broader concern about WWE’s booking philosophy, especially for emerging or rebranded talent stepping out on their own. The pointed critique echoed among fans who have long debated the complexities of title reigns, longevity, and star-making opportunities in WWE.
Kai Cenat Responds to Cody Rhodes’ Challenge on WWE SmackDown
As anticipation grows for WWE’s Money in the Bank 2025, attention has pivoted towards Cody Rhodes and his ongoing storyline, which took a surprising turn on SmackDown. During a promo, Cody Rhodes called out social media star Kai Cenat, referencing John Cena’s recent campaign to connect with younger fans by appearing on Cenat’s livestream. This crossover between entertainment circles and pro wrestling ignited a buzz that quickly spread through both communities.
Kai Cenat was livestreaming when he caught wind of Cody’s reference and fired back with a passionate response, directly confronting Cody and offering up a bold challenge:
“Now, Cody Rhodes. Now, Cody. Cody. Cody. If I march my way up to that motherf—… We left it at that. Cody, if I march my way up to that ring the next time I see you, I’m beating your ass, bro. I need an apology or something. If I ever go to another WWE event, Cody, I’m calling you out. When I see you, I’m hopping in the ring. That’s it. That’s all I’m gonna say. They don’t want me in that ring, bro.”
—Kai Cenat
Cenat is no stranger to WWE’s world, having previously attended WWE Raw in January and publicly expressing his ambitions to join the ranks of WWE Superstars. His direct callout fuels speculation that an appearance—possibly even physical involvement—might be in the cards at an upcoming event, blurring the lines between social media stardom and pro wrestling spectacle.
The IInspiration’s In-Ring Comeback and Reflections on Returning
While new rivalries are brewing, the tag team landscape also saw a remarkable development as The IInspiration, consisting of Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay, returned to tag team wrestling after a three-year break from competing together. Their in-ring reunion took place this past April at a Prestige Wrestling event, which reignited both their competitive drive and fan interest in their journey.
In an interview with The Takedown on Sports Illustrated, Jessica McKay detailed the months of preparation leading up to their comeback, having diligently trained at Flatbacks Wrestling School in Orlando under the guidance of Shawn Spears and Tyler Breeze. She described the duo’s mindset and renewed sense of purpose:
“It was absolutely incredible to get back in the ring at Prestige this past April. It had been three years since Cassie and I had teamed up, and we were ready. We’ve been training since last October at Flatbacks, and we immediately started thinking about gear and how to make this run better than ever. We’re having so much fun and want to keep that momentum going.”
—Jessica McKay
The IInspiration’s comeback journey progressed even further when they reappeared in TNA Wrestling at the Against All Odds event, marking a full-circle moment for the team. Cassie Lee spoke about the meaning behind returning to TNA, the company where they last wrestled before stepping away in 2022, and acknowledged the importance of balancing professional aspirations with the significant changes in their personal lives:
“TNA just felt like the right place for us. When we stepped away three years ago, it was from TNA. We had such a great experience there — amazing people, amazing talent — and we were able to grow so much. It only felt right to come back. Now is the perfect time. We both have our families established, and stepping away to start our families was so meaningful. We’ve loved every moment with them.”
—Cassie Lee
Given ongoing rumors about interpromotional opportunities, McKay also addressed the possibility of a return to NXT, reflecting on their development as performers and the current caliber of the NXT women’s division:
“We learned so much during our time in NXT, and the women’s division there is incredibly talented right now. Going back would definitely be a full circle moment for us.”
—Jessica McKay
The duo’s statements have drawn attention to the evolving nature of women’s tag team wrestling and the growing significance of legacy and growth for athletes balancing family life with professional commitment.
Shifting Alliances, Talent Contracts, and Backstage Developments
The wrestling world is experiencing active change beyond the headline confrontations. With news of AEW contracts expiring for former World Tag-Team Champions and speculation over potential departures, promotions look to recalibrate their rosters ahead of major events. Meanwhile, Mr. Iguana’s reported move to WWE, including rumors of behind-the-scenes friction stemming from controversial interviews, adds to the sense of intrigue that permeates the business.
Elsewhere, WWE SmackDown in Lexington, KY, is hyped with the announcement of three major matches for tonight’s show, further stoking anticipation for fans. Backstage, discussions swirl about R-Truth’s recent return to WWE, his new ring name, the timing of his comeback deal, and concerns expressed by some WWE higher-ups regarding the creative direction for his character, especially after past criticism from Triple H of earlier gimmicks.
Even as new narratives and power shifts dominate the conversation, figures like Shane McMahon have addressed circulating rumors about Vince McMahon potentially launching a company to rival WWE, and there are whispers of confidential AEW meetings meant to shape the future landscape of televised wrestling.
What These Developments Mean for WWE and Wrestling Fans
The series of recent events—ranging from GUNTHER’s ascension and the controversial end of Jey Uso’s title reign, to Kai Cenat’s fiery remarks and the revival of The IInspiration’s career—point to a transformative period in professional wrestling. Frustrations aired by industry veterans like Rikishi highlight ongoing debates about booking decisions and the business of building credible stars, while the inclusion of social media figures such as Kai Cenat emphasizes WWE’s aim to tap into new audiences and expand its entertainment footprint.
For fans, this confluence of legacy, fresh talent, and cross-industry partnerships signals an exciting era ahead, with long-term implications for who holds championship gold, how storylines evolve, and the ways in which global icons like Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso are presented on WWE’s grand stages. As anticipation builds for events like Money in the Bank and speculation swirls about new signings and reunions, the only certainty in wrestling is that change—and controversy—remain perpetual driving forces.
