WWE fans were left surprised by the swift end to Jey Uso’s recent championship run, but new insight reveals that the WWE decision to shorten Jey Uso’s title reign was reached long before he even lifted the World Heavyweight Championship. The timeline and reasoning behind this booking move have now come to light, outlining how and why his stint at the top turned out to be brief.
Unexpected Victory and Sudden Loss for Jey Uso
Jey Uso stunned the wrestling world after his dramatic Royal Rumble victory, which secured him a coveted title shot on the WrestleMania stage. The anticipation centered around Uso as he targeted Gunther, who held the World Heavyweight Championship at the time. At WrestleMania 41, the atmosphere was electric when Uso made Gunther submit, clinching his first world title—an achievement that marked a major career milestone and brought a surge of hope to his supporters.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. In a sudden twist, Uso’s championship reign concluded after just 51 days. The former champion Gunther regained the title by making Uso submit, swiftly reestablishing his dominance and closing this chapter of Uso’s time at the top. The abrupt title change led to questions among fans and industry insiders about when WWE decided on such a fleeting reign for Uso.
Plans for a Short Championship Run Set From the Start
Details on the backstage decision-making process have emerged, thanks in large part to Dave Meltzer’s reporting in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer has provided clarity regarding the pre-planned length of Uso’s championship reign and the intentions for title continuity within WWE’s storyline direction.
“When the decision was made to put the title on Uso, it had already been decided it would be short reign and that he would lose it back to Gunther.”
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
This comment reveals that Uso’s time as champion was mapped out as a temporary phase well in advance of his win. The booking was never intended to present a long-term narrative but instead functioned as a brief moment of triumph for Uso, designed to circle the championship back to Gunther.
Part of the driving factor behind this choice was the evolving plans for other main event matchups. WWE reportedly wanted to position Gunther for an upcoming match against WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event, using the championship’s prestige as a centerpiece for this marquee encounter.
What Comes Next in WWE’s Main Event Picture
The fallout from Jey Uso’s short-lived run will likely continue to play out in coming events, shaping character motivations and future feuds. While Uso’s reign may have been brief, the way WWE managed the championship around stars like Gunther and Goldberg suggests a strategic focus on high-profile clashes and audience anticipation for major main event showdowns.
For Uso, this period represents both a highlight and a turning point: achieving a long-awaited world title victory, even if only for a handful of weeks. For Gunther, reclaiming the championship sets the stage for renewed rivalries and sets up the awaited confrontation with Goldberg. As the roster recalibrates and storylines evolve, fans will be watching closely to see how WWE’s carefully timed decisions influence the direction of championship pursuits and headline rivalries as the year unfolds.
