Jey Uso received a significant boost in WWE as he headed into WrestleMania 41, solidifying his place in wrestling history. This rise culminated in his becoming the World Heavyweight Champion in Las Vegas, driven by factors beyond his famous family name.
The Rise of Jey Uso as a Singles Star on WWE’s Red Brand
Following the events of WWE SummerSlam 2023, Jey Uso parted ways with his family storyline, gradually building his reputation as a singles wrestler. Although he was not initially a contender for the world title, his steady in-ring performance and growing fan support elevated him to a prominent position on the roster.
Behind the Scenes: WWE Writers’ Influence on Jey Uso’s Push
The Netflix series WWE: Unreal revealed fresh insights into how Jey Uso’s push came about. Contrary to assumptions that his family connections fueled his ascendance, it was WWE writers who began to see his star potential, particularly Ed Koskey and Michael Hayes. Koskey expressed a desire to include Jey in a major title match, though initial plans focused on CM Punk vs. Gunther at WrestleMania 41.
“If I could get the match to work, I would love to put Jey [Uso] in one of those spots. I just can’t currently; with the world we live in, I can’t figure out who gets left out,” Ed Koskey said. —Ed Koskey, WWE Writer
This comment sparked a creative idea for Hayes, who expanded on why Jey deserved the spotlight at that moment.
“Ed got me thinking about Jey. You know, can you get Jey in that match? I think in the case of Jey Uso, when somebody catches fire, they just catch fire. And sometimes, you have to, you know, alternate all your plans. Who do we have on our roster that’s hot and that hopefully is maybe new and fresh? All of a sudden, Jey Uso is checking all those boxes. And then you have to start worrying and wondering if that individual is up to the task,” Hayes said. —Michael Hayes, WWE Writer
Jey Uso’s Journey Post-WrestleMania and Future Plans
After claiming the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41, Jey Uso held the title for 51 days before losing it to Gunther in a rematch. Despite this, the 39-year-old wrestler stayed highly visible on WWE programming. After an unsuccessful attempt to reach the King of the Ring finals by losing to Cody Rhodes, Uso shifted his focus toward confronting Seth Rollins and his faction.
Roman Reigns made a notable return to WWE RAW, coming to the aid of Jey Uso and CM Punk against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Leading into WWE SummerSlam 2025—the first-ever two-night event in Las Vegas—Reigns, known as The Original Tribal Chief, invited Uso to join forces with him against Breakker and Reed in a tag team bout. Jey Uso accepted the offer, setting the stage for further action.
The Impact of Jey Uso’s Push on WWE’s Landscape
Jey Uso’s ascent at WrestleMania 41 marks a turning point for the wrestler, demonstrating how WWE’s creative leadership can pivot plans to highlight talent that resonates with audiences. Writers like Koskey and Hayes recognized the momentum Jey was building and adjusted storylines accordingly, a strategy that not only rewarded Jey’s hard work but also energized fans. Going forward, his involvement in major events like SummerSlam 2025 signals that WWE continues to place significant trust in him as a key player.
