The fallout from Jey Uso‘s World Title loss on WWE Monday Night Raw has sparked intense criticism from Rikishi, his WWE Hall of Fame father, who voiced strong dissatisfaction with the company‘s creative direction. This reaction follows Jey Uso’s short-lived reign, a topic drawing major attention among fans and sparking conversations about the decisions made by WWE leadership regarding the championship scene. The Jey Uso World Title loss reaction from Rikishi has added a new layer of scrutiny to WWE’s booking process.
The WWE World Heavyweight Title, reintroduced three years ago, has seen only a few champions dominate with reigns surpassing 100 days. Seth Rollins inaugurated the lineage with a 316-day reign, followed by Gunther’s 258 days, while Damian Priest recently held the title for 118 days. Notably, Drew McIntyre’s reign was especially brief—barely lasting five minutes after Damian Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank opportunity against him.
Jey Uso’s ascension to champion at WrestleMania 41 sparked widespread celebration. Known among fans as the “Yeet Man,” he was seen as a popular and deserving titleholder. However, his triumph was cut short on June 9, when Gunther defeated him for the championship during Raw, ending Jey’s reign at only 51 days—a result that took many by surprise and left fans and insiders, including his family, deeply disappointed.
Rikishi’s Criticism of WWE’s Creative Approach
Rikishi, voicing his frustrations on his “Rikishi Fatu Off The Top” podcast, made it clear he believes WWE’s creative team failed to serve Jey Uso’s reign properly. He argued that the writers did not provide strong enough opponents or compelling storylines to solidify Jey as a credible champion and sustain his momentum.
“I feel that those that are writing for this kid his storyline, you didn’t do him justice. You didn’t feed this champion right talent to be able to continue to make this champion… I say fire, fire.Those that are writing for this kid here, if you can’t come up with some something simple to promote and push your champion that you… decide to put this kid in that position… get the hell out.”
—Rikishi, Hall of Famer
According to backstage information, WWE’s booking decision for Gunther to defeat Jey Uso stemmed from plans for a marquee Gunther–Goldberg match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12, which WWE intends to feature as a World Title bout. This business-driven move prompted even more frustration from Rikishi and a vocal segment of the WWE fanbase, given the abrupt ending to Jey’s promising title run.
Family Ties and Addressing Roman Reigns’ Status
The controversy surrounding Jey’s loss is not the only concern raised by Rikishi regarding his family’s treatment in WWE. Reports suggested TKO Group, the owners of WWE, may consider lowering Roman Reigns’ salary, a rumor that caused further agitation for Rikishi. Given Roman’s record-setting main event performances at WrestleMania and status as a central figure in The Bloodline, any reduction in recognition—or compensation—was met with disapproval.
“Here’s a guy that Main Event Wrestlemania, six main events and more to come… Y’all do the math every Wrestlemania… That’s a lot of money. And guess whose face was on that, leading that… Roman Reigns, bloodline member.”
—Rikishi, Hall of Famer
Rikishi underscored the immense contribution that his family, including Roman Reigns and Jey Uso, have made to WWE history, expressing a fierce resolve not to see their legacy diminished or forgotten amid corporate strategies or evolving creative priorities.
“If you’re done with it, say it. You want to move on. Say it, but damn it. I’ll be damned I’m gonna sit back and you try to erase the history of our family, of what we put into this business.”
—Rikishi, Hall of Famer
Jey Uso’s Next Opportunity and What’s Ahead in WWE
Despite the abrupt end to his World Title reign, Jey Uso is not out of championship contention. He is scheduled to compete in the King of the Ring Tournament on the June 16 edition of Raw. Should he emerge victorious in the tournament, Jey would secure another opportunity for a world title showdown at SummerSlam, keeping his dreams of reclaiming gold alive.
The reactions from Rikishi and the scrutiny from fans and insiders place additional pressure on WWE’s creative leadership to deliver compelling narratives, not only for The Bloodline but across all championship pursuits. With Gunther preparing for a high-profile title defense against Goldberg, and the ongoing saga surrounding Roman Reigns and his standing within WWE, the months ahead promise plenty of intrigue and further debate about booking choices and the treatment of generational talent.
As the focus shifts towards the upcoming King of the Ring and potential title rematches, the intense reaction from Rikishi continues to fuel conversations about fairness, long-term planning, and the importance of honoring family legacies in WWE’s ever-evolving landscape.
