Jey Uso is finally "Main Event Jey." The new world Heavyweight Champion went into WrestleMania 41 full of potential that fans had long seen but seldom believed. Now, he is at the top of Monday Night Raw and is being trusted to lead a program with Logan Paul. Say what you want about Paul, and you should, but WWE doesn't give him undercard matches outside of WrestleMania's grandest stage.
If you are locking up on PLE with Logan, your name is on the marquee. While the feel-good victory over Gunther was one of an awkward Mania's highlights, there are still some lingering doubts among the staunchest members of the"no feet" contingent. Just a few weeks into the "new season" of WWE, Jey has been an excellent leading man and will no doubt continue to be.
Jey is well-groomed for the main event scene
The Yeet phenomenon was not built in a bubble; neither was it a company creation. Recent criticisms of Uso ignore that Jey has been on this path since his brother Jimmy went down with an injury in 2020. Roman Reigns, embarking on what WWE would create a career-defining winning streak, needed feuds for his world title. Perhaps more importantly, Reigns had started working less "athletically" and more "intensely." The way he said and did things was the hallmark of the Tribal Chief and Bloodline saga from very early on. Jey was both available and had a built-in storyline, making him an excellent choice.
It was Jey and Roman who created The Bloodline; their rivalry sparked a years-long arc that powered WWE through a tough transition. The current issues facing the company may be due to its inability to match that story's success. While never the leading man, he had more experience on the microphone and in the big moments than any other contender in the industry. Usually, you have to win the big one to see if you can hold it. Jey is of a rare breed that held it down consistently for three or more years without a world title around his waist. It shouldn't be a surprise that he is meeting the moment now that he holds the belt; he had to meet it for Roman first.
Jey Uso always rises to the occasion
On the microphone, Jey likes to have a good time, but he can get plenty serious. There was a brief period where the "yeet" sounds of the live crowd felt less like a future star was speaking and more like a modified "What?" chant. Jey pushed all of that down and was able to deliver the hard truths right alongside the one-liners against Gunther, as he always does. But then the bell rings. In the ring, especially under the brighter lights, Jey almost always delivers. He did so at WrestleMania, becoming a high spot in an otherwise unmemorable card.
In fact, of his last three WrestleMania appearances (one of which was the Main Event), he had some of the more interesting matches of the evening. Using the brother's brawl at WrestleMania 40 to dismiss his skill is reductive; bad matches are not indicative of bad wrestling. There are legitimate critiques over the variety of moves he uses, but that is a niche concern. He and Gunther both used limited moves and told a story of guts and glory that started the WrestleMania weekend off on a high note. The best guys have always done that, look to the past with Roman Reigns, Hulk Hogan, John Cena, and even Steve Austin. A few movies by the right talent can power the company forward.
Fans need to support the leading man
The last month or so of WWE has been unexcusably weird from a "vibes" perspective. Up is down would be an understatement. Looking too deeply into what may or may not be the root cause of this is best left for another time. What can't be ignored, though, is that WWE needs a male superstar to lead that division and the company in the short term. Everyone who has watched since January knows it can't be John Cena alone, and while we are behind the looking glass on Kayfabe, a heel champion isn't going to cut it anyway. Looking at the roster for a full-time face at the top of the mountain, there isn't another main eventer better than Jey.
Uso has the same fan support as all his contemporaries. Unlike CM Punk or Roman Reigns, he isn't a "limited" star in terms of his time commitment. Longtime stars like Randy Orton and AJ Styles are both in particular spots now, meant to advance a larger narrative. Really, only Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes are in the same boat as Jey, but Cody is losing some shine after a year at the helm, and Zayn certainly seems like he is working against the currents, unfortunately. The fans have only one full-time star they want to cheer who has the full support of WWE, and it is "Main Event" Jey Uso.
At Backlash, Jey Uso is finally the main event.
With John Cena and Randy Orton on the card, the final match looks like long odds for the World Heavyweight Champion. If WWE is serious about this product, though, Jey will get to close the show by holding the title above his head. Cody Rhodes's rise and fall make it clear that the life of a face is short-lived and hopefully cyclical. Fans get tired of seeing the same actor in the same role each and every week. That is why most shows have breaks between seasons. John Cena and Randy Orton have closed more shows together than most of their peers have overall. Jey has the momentum of the crowd, a perfectly suitable heel foil, and has excelled for the last five to fifteen years in WWE. It isn't just a name anymore, and WWE should capitalize on it now when they still can.