Rikishi criticizes Jey Uso‘s booking in WWE and says maybe Jey should take a break because they don’t know where to put him.
Speaking on his RIKISHI FATU OFF THE TOP podcast, Rikishi was asked about Jey Uso’s booking.
“It comes from the head of the corporate table,” Rikishi said. “I mentioned this is no favoritism to him or anyone, but as wrestlers, as a wrestler that’s been there, put in work, and you can see the outpouring of love and support from the fans, whether it be Jey Uso or somebody else, and that was my question. The same thing that you’re asking, because I want to know. What is it that the kid has to do? We can see he’s probably the hottest intro. When this kid is coming out, you talking about the fan engagement, you see it. We all see it. But when it comes time to give this kid his flowers and let’s do business, why wasn’t my son handled with Money in the Bank?
“Where’s the guy that won the Money in the Bank? What is he doing now? What business sense does that make for a company to let the most exciting guy, a guy that is not a liability, a guy that shows up and shows out, a guy that does his job, what does it hurt the company to even give this kid a shot? So I thought once the Money in the Bank thing go through, I said, well, let’s see what they do now. Maybe they would give him a shot, set him up for, I don’t know, some type of belt, maybe an Intercontinental Championship, maybe that. Or if you ask me, I think he deserves a shot to the world championship belt.
Rikishi: Let’s Hope WWE Does The Right Thing
Rikishi continued by noting that it seemed clear that the writers did not know where to put Jey Uso. He said that maybe Jey should take a break. He then expressed his hope that WWE would do the right thing.
“When that didn’t happen either, it’s like okay, I’m at this point where I just want to call my son. ‘Hey, go ahead and just take a break.’ Because obviously the writers don’t know where to put you, or where they can write something that’s right for the character of Jey Uso, the YEET man. And I mentioned this,” he said. “Definitely, WWE’s making money off the YEET Man, the YEET man is making money himself. But the only difference is, the YEET Man is working for his money. WWE, you see it every week, there’s a new merchandise of YEET coming out. The YEET Man is out doing personal appearances. Why? It’s not because he has to. But it’s because that’s the demand of the fans. Of all the characters that they picked, they picked the YEET Man.
“So what I’m saying is, let’s make no mistake about it, I am not [in] favoritism, this boy, my son, to be able to speak on this. When I’m speaking, it’s about what’s happening because this can be any other wrestler. It can be a female wrestler, a guy wrestler, whatever the case, but what is the case? Why are y’all not lighting this kid up and just letting him do his thing? But I appreciate everybody for, when I put out my post, everybody came through, because y’all feel the same way I do, and let’s just hope WWE gets it together and does the right thing.”
Rikishi: Let’s Hope WWE Turns It Around
Rikishi continued by noting that Jey Uso’s position was a concern, as he saw the sacrifices that his son was making. He stated that WWE was not the only spot, so Jey could go to AEW if he wanted. He expressed his hope that WWE would turn it around and do right by Jey.
“For me, it’s a concern,” he said. “At the end of the day, these are our bodies. This is my flesh and blood. My horse and blood that’s pounding his body day in, day out. Y’all don’t see what I see. He has a family, he comes home, just aching. His body’s hurting, but he’ll never sell it because he’s not trained that way, he’s not trained to quit. He’s trained with responsibility. You sign that dotted line, and I’m not talking about the contract, I’m talking about the dotted line for you and yours.
“That’s bigger than what the purpose is for a contract with WWE. The kid is so good, WWE ain’t the only spot. He could probably go to AEW if he wanted and write his own ticket. Maybe more than what WWE is making on him. Hopefully, they turn it around and do the right thing by the YEET Man.”
Rikishi: WWE Is Putting Jey Uso In A Certain Position
Rikishi went on to say that Jey Uso had become so popular organically. He stated that the fans loved him, and there was no reason why he could not have a shot at a title. Rikishi also reiterated that WWE had put Jey Uso in a particular position, and it did not make sense to him.
“Long story short, I feel the YEET Man is getting this all organically, this popularity, it’s all organically,” he said. “He’s got that vibe, he’s got the swag. It’s just the WWE Universe loves the YEET Man. When it comes to putting the YEET Man in the right position, as opportunities, there’s no reason why the YEET Man couldn’t have won the Money in the Bank. There’s no reason why the YEET Man could not have an opportunity to be a main player at an Intercontinental Belt, or just a world championship belt. I feel that the YEET Man is being put in a certain position, for whatever reason. It doesn’t make sense to me.
“Honestly, I thought,’ My boy, just take a break.’ Because if you can’t figure this kid in where he needs to be, why have him on the show? He’s not there to be an enhancement talent for a talent that’s trying to enhance popularity. The YEET Man has already got the popularity, so if we’re talking business, okay, WWE can do their business, but at the same time, we’re self-employed. The YEET Man is self-employed. So if you ask the father, I would say Rikishi would take care of the Rikishi brand, do what’s best for Rikishi brand.”
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