Rikishi defends Jey Uso’s WWE title reign following his impassioned comments on the “Rikishi Fatu Off The Top” podcast, where he openly criticized the creative decisions affecting his son’s brief World Heavyweight Championship run. Speaking at the start of a new episode, the WWE Hall of Famer addressed fan reactions and clarified his intentions behind his emotional response, emphasizing his role as a father rather than merely a former wrestler.
Rikishi Reacts to Fan Response After Podcast
After his powerful message about Jey Uso’s title loss garnered significant attention, Rikishi took time at the beginning of his podcast to respond to the wave of discussion his words generated. Although unapologetic about his beliefs, he acknowledged the tone surprised some fans and addressed this with sincerity and transparency.
“I said what I said, you know, and that’s that. So I’d like for us to move on,”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
“I’m going to apologize to the fans, because, you know, you never see me like that. But you know what the apology is? That you were listening and looking at a man, not the professional wrestler. You were looking and listening to a father, not the professional wrestler.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
A Father’s Perspective Behind the Passion
Rikishi’s initial criticism was directed at WWE’s creative team for ending Jey Uso’s championship reign abruptly after just 51 days, which he felt undermined his son’s accomplishments. He revealed that his passionate response stemmed from deep personal and familial emotions rather than mere professional disappointment or fan service.
“You know I have feelings too. You know my family has feelings too. Just like your family, just like everybody else out there, everybody has feelings,”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
“But the difference is I’m not scared to talk about it.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
“So if you took my words in any other way, okay, I’m man enough to apologize. But I’m not gonna apologize for me being a father and being able to love and stand on business for my family. And that’s that.”
—Rikishi, WWE Hall of Famer
Ongoing Support for Jey Uso and the Larger Wrestling Conversation
Rikishi’s follow-up remarks underscored the real-life emotions present behind the scripted world of wrestling, reminding the community that performers and their families are deeply affected by creative choices. His comments have sparked widespread debate and reflect ongoing tensions between talent, creative teams, and dedicated fans about how careers and legacies are shaped in organizations like WWE.
While Rikishi’s words may have been intense and conflicted, they highlight the complex feelings that arise when family and career intersect, especially in such a high-profile environment. He made it clear his support for Jey Uso will remain steadfast, reaffirming his commitment to speak openly, whether as a father or a member of the wrestling community.
