WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi has lashed out at WWE, voicing intense disappointment over how his son, Jey Uso, was treated during his brief 51-day reign as World Heavyweight Champion, eventually losing the title to Gunther on Monday Night Raw. The controversy has sparked debate among fans and insiders, centering on how WWE treats John Cena compared to Jey Uso and whether creative decisions favored established stars at the expense of deserving talent.
Rikishi Calls Out WWE for Jey Uso’s Short Championship Run
Jey Uso, known for his energetic “Yeet” movement and dedicated fan base, captured a historic victory at WrestleMania 41 by defeating Gunther to claim the World Heavyweight Championship. The euphoria among the “Yeet” fans was soon replaced with disbelief as Gunther regained the title from Uso only 51 days later, igniting passionate reactions across the WWE community. Rikishi, deeply upset by the sudden end to his son‘s reign, did not hold back when discussing the decision during the “Off the Top” podcast, emphasizing not only the personal toll but the creative missteps by WWE’s decision-makers.
In his critique, Rikishi challenged the company‘s logic for giving Jey Uso such a limited opportunity as champion. The Hall of Famer openly questioned the support and storyline direction his son received, drawing a comparison to other major stars—like John Cena—who have historically enjoyed far more substantial and compelling title runs. Rikishi’s central argument was that Jey Uso was not provided with adequate competition or developing storylines to strengthen his reign, hinting at a much deeper discontent with WWE’s strategy toward rising talent.
“You didn’t do him justice. You didn’t feed this Champion right talent to be able to continue to make this champion. Not a fair shot in my eyes. So you go 51 days. I say fire, fire those that are writing for this kid here. If you can’t come up with something simple to promote and push your Champion, that you, not me, you decide to put this kid in that position, and then that’s it.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
Rikishi also questioned the significance of Jey Uso’s commercial and merchandising power, asking if anyone else contributed more to the revenue of the company, yet still was afforded such a brief stint at the top. He called on WWE management to rethink, or even discard, the creative approach they had taken with his son, advocating for writers who could better understand and utilize Jey’s appeal and value within the company.
Alternative Viewpoints: Was Jey Uso’s Title Loss Justified?
While Rikishi expressed strong feelings about WWE’s treatment of Jey Uso, not all insiders shared his perspective. Tommy Carlucci, a former WWE employee, offered contrasting insights during an episode of
“Behind the Turnbuckle Shows’ The Coach and Bro Show.”
Carlucci suggested that, while Jey Uso is beloved by fans and brings energy to live events, there were concerns regarding his ability to elevate the championship itself, especially in comparison to figures like Cody Rhodes who, after winning the title, brought significant prestige and momentum to the belt.
“People are coming to see him. They love him; they’re yeeting, the whole bit. But for me, he just didn’t elevate the championship. When Cody Rhodes won the title, he elevated… Jey didn’t change that much. His promos didn’t get any better… So, I think the reason why they gave it back to Gunther is he’s a steady guy. He’s an old-school, big-time heel that’s going to carry the strap, and he’s going to carry it well.”
—Tommy Carlucci, Former WWE Employee
Carlucci’s assessment pointed to a belief that WWE’s decision was rooted more in the need for a champion capable of boosting the brand’s overall prestige. He argued that Gunther represents a reliable, classic style of wrestling villain—a “big-time heel”—who can uphold the tradition and draw of the championship, something he felt Jey Uso did not fully achieve during his reign.
What Lies Ahead for Jey Uso After World Heavyweight Title Loss?
Despite the abrupt end to his championship tenure, Jey Uso remains a high-profile performer within WWE, with fresh opportunities to redeem himself. The former World Heavyweight Champion is set to participate in the King of the Ring qualifying match, a crucial chance to rebuild his momentum and possibly seek retribution against Gunther. The outcome of this storyline may influence how WWE chooses to spotlight and support rising stars, especially those from legacy wrestling families like the Samoan dynasty.
The strong reaction from Rikishi also raises questions about WWE’s overall approach to talent development and whether future title reigns will offer more creative substance and longevity to newer champions. The ongoing debate about how established stars such as John Cena are treated in comparison to up-and-coming wrestlers like Jey Uso is likely to continue, especially as the company seeks to balance nostalgia with the need to build fresh headliners. The wrestling world will be watching closely to see if Jey Uso can defy the odds and earn a second chance in the title picture, or if WWE will stay committed to its current formula, favoring familiar faces over emerging talent.
