‘I’m an arena shaker now, bro:’ Jey Uso riding a remarkable wave of momentum into WrestleMania 41

Jey Uso can’t seem to sit still. For the last two years, he’s been a ball of energy, from his intense interactions with his bloodline brethren, his ascension up WWE’s singles ranks, and his kinetic entrances through the crowd. At this moment, he’s pacing in and out of his residence in a full Nike Tech tracksuit, preparing for an appointment at WWE’s Performance Center. Finding balance as a newly minted solo star has been challenging, but he’s finally able to really process and enjoy it.

San Antonio’s Alamodome is both a modern wonder and hulking relic, a building that houses some of the U.S.’s most high-profile events, but is often passed over for the more modern, intimate Frost Bank Center. The Spurs used to tarp off half the arena for games until they made their move to the smaller venue in 2002. While the Alamodome has seen some of wrestling’s most memorable moments, from John Cena winning his 16th world title to Cody Rhodes’ Royal Rumble win, it’s the Frost Bank Center in January where Jey Uso first decided he could slay his own personal dragon, the world heavyweight champion and his WrestleMania 41 opponent, Gunther.

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“The whole atmosphere. The atmosphere was different.” Jey recalls about getting his shot at the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event, one week before the Royal Rumble. “The whole old-school thing was different, man. So it felt like a big pay-per-view, you know. And that match with Gunther was hella live. … I almost had his ass too, man. That’s why … I could get him one time, man… being a main event … I was kind of like, ‘Oh, damn. I think I am. I think I am that dude now.’”

The following week, he’d parlay that confidence into the biggest of his career, emerging victorious in the Royal Rumble. In a field with 12 former WWE world champions, Jey was a dark horse to say the least. It seemed like an even more forgone conclusion that he’d finish as the runner-up when he found himself across from John Cena, who stated his need to win one more world title before his retirement at the end of the year. So when Jey reversed Cena’s Attitude Adjustment attempt and pushed him off the ring apron, there was a mix of joy, surprise and self-reflection all at once.

“I never thought in a million years it’d be me and damn John Cena. You feel me?” Jey says. “… He was so happy it was me, man. And I was happy to be in there with him. … Me and John Cena, man. … That was the dopest Royal Rumble in history, right? Like, we had some big hitters in here, bro. And I’m the one who came out on top, man. So it’s crazy to me. I’m living it like everyone else is seeing it, man.”

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As The Bloodline started taking off post-pandemic and the world opened back up, Jey and his brother, Jimmy, would become more prominent in their appearances and signings. With their big smiles and willingness to have lengthy conversations with fans, the Usos became some of the most sought after talents at the various locations WWE would occupy before its shows. But once they split and Jey’s star began to rise, it would take some time to adjust to carry that load alone.

“Now I’ll be blocked out for two hours [for the fans]. … There’s a whole ’nother line of two hours worth of people,” Jey says. “I walk and get them all. … I’ll take a picture with every single person that’s waiting for me, man, because there was a moment where it wasn’t like that. … Some people be like, ‘We’ve been here since 4 a.m. … that humbles me, man. I love it, man. … If it wasn’t for the people, I really would not be in this position.”

He’d get his first taste of singles gold Sept. 23, 2024, by defeating Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental championship. It held a special meaning to him, as not only his cousins The Rock and Roman Reigns and uncle Umaga won it previously, but it was also the only title his father, Rikishi, won during his tenure in WWE. Jey had envisioned winning it as far back as 2023, when Gunther was on his record-setting Intercontinental title run.

While he’d come up short in February 2024 on Monday Night Raw, as well as later losing to Gunther in the King of the Ring finals in May 2024, Jey’s success since that point has been off the charts. After his first WrestleMania singles win, capturing the Intercontinental title and winning the Royal Rumble all in less than a year, the only thing left to do is win Monday Night Raw’s top prize.

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He’s not just out to win for himself. Jey Uso winning the world heavyweight championship is for his fans and his family. The man who reintroduced “yeet” into the lexicon gets the loudest reactions week in and week out, with the fans raising their arms in unison to his self-performed entrance music. Like Diamond Dallas Page and The Sandman before him, he builds that connection by starting his path to the ring through the stands, even prepping the arenas for his arrival from the walkways. “Yeet” T-shirts and sunglasses are everywhere, kids are doing their best to recreate his high fade/mullet hairstyle, and he can barely get a thought out without hearing his signature call, similar to Steve Austin’s “What?” chants.

“I’m an arena shaker now, bro. … Logan Paul, he put it on the video. … Austin Theory and Grayson [Waller], before I went out there to work, they said they thought their legs were giving out because their legs started vibrating. And they said it’s because my entrance was happening, shaking the floors,” Jey says. “And this is everywhere I go. This is everywhere.”

But as much as they’re into the fun side, the journey’s what got him here. The same fans who used to see Jey rub his temples in frustration with Sami Zayn cheered the two of them as they looked up at the marquee on Monday Night Raw in their “I can’t believe we’re here” moment. Fans who saw Jey go from tag-team wrestler, to tag-team superstar, to one step from world champion showered him with love the night after Monday Night Raw when he talked about never thinking he’d get to this point.

Ultimately, Jey Uso wants to set an example. Under the watchful eye of Roman Reigns, The Bloodline story has created moments and legacies for a group of men born to be wrestling’s elite. Jey in particular found his style, his voice and a legion of fans who wanted him to win. Winning the world heavyweight championship at WrestleMania 41 would be one more trophy to show to the next generation of Anoa’i and Fatu families what they can have and what they must preserve.

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“My family been building this for 50 years. … We breathe this,” Jey says. “Like, this is our lifeline. The Bloodline is for real, man. … I want my little cousins, man, my kids to come up. [In five years], they’ll be like 20, 18. You know, they’re ready. I just want to set the tone for my little ones coming behind me. Like, be ready for the grind. … Don’t act like you’re just going to be on top. [I want to] set up some generational, you know, doors open for … my little ones, man.”

His commitment to family was never more clear in the final push toward WrestleMania. Gunther, looking for an edge, would brutally attack Jey’s twin brother, Jimmy, who came to Raw to show Jey both physical and emotional support. A bit out of sorts, and with the light possibly looking too bright, Jey had had a rough few weeks in competition. But after defeating Jimmy in singles competition, Gunther would continue to attack Jimmy, leading Jey to make the save. Gunther would attack Jey from behind, then handcuff him, leaving him helpless as Gunther would hospitalize big brother Jimmy. Enraged, Jey would invoke his mother’s name and disappointment, making sure the champion understands he made it deeper than just competition. So now, Jey Uso’s got his fans, his family and his fury on his side, and plans on putting it all together to make history.

“I’m gonna shock the world twice [by winning the Royal Rumble] and then now new World Heavyweight Champ, man. … And I’d like to thank Gunther for putting me back in my damn place … for resetting my damn mind, bro. … He don’t know what he did. Monday, I said it. … My family’s hurt. I hurt. He disrespected my family. And just in front of the world … that man went there. … Now I gotta get him. Absolutely.”