Jey Uso is now the world heavyweight champion. He beat Gunther in the first match of WrestleMania 41 on Saturday night. This victory came after he earned the title shot by winning the Royal Rumble in January.
Uso’s journey to the top started in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became a rising star in WWE’s ThunderDome era. He faced his cousin, Roman Reigns, and earned the nickname “Main Event Jey Uso.” His popularity grew as he both teamed with and fought against Reigns and The Bloodline.
Before WrestleMania, Gunther had beaten Uso multiple times. These losses included an intercontinental title match and a King of the Ring bout. Despite this, Uso chose to challenge Gunther instead of Cody Rhodes. He wanted to prove he could defeat one of WWE’s most dominant stars.
The match was intense, with both men using their best moves. Uso survived Gunther’s powerbomb, a belt shot, and a sleeper hold. He even laughed as Gunther attacked him with brutal chops. Uso showed incredible resilience, refusing to stay down.
In the end, Uso countered Gunther’s powerbomb and hit his own. He followed with three Uso Splashes and locked in a sleeper, making Gunther tap out. Uso celebrated with his brother Jimmy, marking his place in history as a world champion. The win capped off his long journey to the top.
Triple H showers praise on Jey Uso’s first world title win
Triple H spoke to the media after WWE WrestleMania 41 (Night One) on Saturday. He was asked about planning WrestleMania 41 and Jey Uso’s rise. He also discussed other topics during the post-show press conference.
When asked when he saw Jey Uso as a potential world champion, Triple H said it’s a gradual process. He explained there isn’t just one defining moment. Instead, it’s built over time through consistent performances. He noted there may be moments where people realize something special is happening.
Triple H mentioned how Jey stood out during the Bloodline storyline. Fans saw his emotional depth and growth over the past few years. Some doubted he could succeed alone without the group’s dynamic. However, Jey proved them wrong by connecting with the audience in his own way.
“It’s funny because sometimes I see people talk about Jey and they are like, the yeet guy is doing his yeet thing. What he’s doing is he sees something that is truly him, that resonated with people and caught on.”
Triple H on Jey Uso’s rise
He also addressed how some fans label Jey as just “the yeet guy.” Triple H disagreed, saying Jey’s authenticity is what resonates. His natural charisma and connection with fans have made him a standout star. This genuine appeal has helped him rise in WWE.