On the latest episode of his podcast, Rikishi Fatu Off The Top, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi fiercely criticized WWE’s handling of his son’s title stint, expressing anger over how Jey Uso’s world title reign controversy WWE was managed after a sudden loss to GUNTHER on Raw this week. Rikishi’s explosive reaction included calling for the dismissal of WWE’s writing staff, reflecting growing unrest among fans about recent creative decisions in the company.
Jey Uso Loses World Title After 51 Days
This Monday night on Raw, Jey Uso’s reign as world champion, which began just 51 days earlier, was abruptly halted when GUNTHER defeated him during the main event. The rapid conclusion to Jey’s title run caught fans and family members alike off guard, prompting immediate backlash from those who believed he deserved a lengthier and more substantial opportunity at the top.
Rikishi’s Strong Criticism of WWE Booking
Rikishi, a WWE legend and Jey Uso’s father, did not hold back his frustration about the way WWE developed his son’s main event story. During his podcast discussion, he openly questioned the strategy behind ending the title reign so quickly, targeting the creative team responsible for booking the storyline.
“If you could tell me that anybody else is selling any merchandise higher than YEET, I want you to tell me, by all means. Generating revenue for the company. What was that saying? What’s good for business.
Then you have a kid that put his heart and soul…to get to that main event spot. And finally, when he gets there, you know what I feel? This is what I feel. 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. 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 decided to put this kid in that position. And then that’s it. All of a sudden the brains went just cloudy. You can’t write, you can’t think of an angle for Jey. Well you can’t do your job. I say best endeavors, get the hell out the way. Put somebody in that position.
Because the longer you keep the belt on this kid…we talk about what’s good for business. Merchandise sales through the roof. That’s what it is, last I know.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
Arguments About Jey Uso’s Merchandising Success
Rikishi highlighted that Jey Uso, known for his “YEET” merchandise, was a major source of revenue for WWE, questioning why someone so commercially successful was not given a longer opportunity as champion. The emotional reaction stems from a belief that Jey’s short stint undermined both the performer’s commitment and the company’s potential income.
He observed that Jey’s ascent to the top was hard-earned, requiring dedication to reach the main event scene, and was dissatisfied that the creative team failed to provide enough quality challengers or storylines to make the reign memorable or impactful.
Comparing to Past Champions and WWE Decisions
Rikishi also recalled his son’s brief run with the Intercontinental Championship the year prior, raising pointed questions about whether WWE would give similar short-lived reigns to established names like Randy Orton or John Cena. The criticism tapped into broader issues about consistency and fairness in title reigns for rising stars compared to veterans.
The article referenced that Randy Orton’s first world heavyweight title reign, starting at SummerSlam 2024, lasted less than a month before losing the championship to Triple H, who has often been critiqued for his influence during his active years and subsequent role in WWE creative. These historical parallels add fuel to the ongoing debate about opportunities for new faces versus established icons in WWE.
Speculation and Future Implications for WWE Storytelling
The anger expressed by Rikishi and echoed by fans is heightened by speculation that Jey’s rapid title loss may serve to set up Goldberg’s rumored retirement match next month, overshadowing the platform given to current talent like Jey Uso. The discontent also prompted some to suggest redirecting blame toward Paul Levesque, also known as Triple H, given his leadership of WWE’s creative team.
This situation highlights significant challenges within WWE’s storytelling and talent management, especially when it comes to allowing new stars to gain traction at the top. The impact of these decisions stretches beyond immediate fan frustration, as they may affect the future popularity and marketability of superstars like Jey Uso, as well as WWE’s credibility when it comes to rewarding dedication and fan support. The reaction from figures like Rikishi signals rising pressure on WWE to reconsider its approach to building and sustaining champions moving forward.
