Rikishi Says Jey Uso Could Leave WWE for AEW Amid Booking Concerns

Jey Uso has been on a remarkable run as a babyface on Monday Night RAW recently, but despite his strong performances, he hasn’t been able to secure victories in key matches. This has led to Rikishi publicly criticizing WWE for their handling of Jey’s booking. Rikishi even suggested that Jey Uso might consider a move to AEW if WWE continues to overlook him in important angles.

Although he’s delivered impressive performances, he has yet to capture a singles title. His participation in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match didn’t see him pick up the win, but Jey Uso continues to be a prominent and influential presence on Monday Night Raw.

While speaking on Rikishi Off The Top, Rikishi talked about Jey Uso’s booking in WWE. Rikishi expressed his frustration with WWE’s treatment of Jey Uso and questioned why, despite Jey’s immense popularity and fan support, he wasn’t given a chance to win the Money in the Bank match. Rikishi pointed out that Jey is one of the most exciting wrestlers, always delivering in the ring, and it doesn’t make sense why WWE wouldn’t give him an opportunity.

Rikishi hoped that after the Money in the Bank match, WWE would at least set Jey up for some kind of title shot, maybe for the Intercontinental or even the World Championship. But when that didn’t happen, Rikishi felt like the writers didn’t know how to properly use Jey’s character. He even considered telling his son to take a break since WWE seemed unsure of what to do with him.

“It comes from the head of the corporate table, as far as, you know, I posted out on my social media about this matter with—I like to call my son ‘The Yeet Man.’ And I mentioned this is no favoritism to him or just 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—that was my question, the same thing that you’re asking. Because I want to know, what is it that this kid has to do? We can see it’s probably the hottest intro when this kid is coming out. The fans, you talk about the fan engagement—you see it, we all see it. But yet, when it comes time to give this kid his flowers and let’s do business, why wasn’t my son handled with the Money in the Bank? Why couldn’t he? I mean, 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 is it? Does it hurt the company to even give this kid a shot?

So I thought, once the Money in the Bank didn’t go through, I said, well, let’s see what they do now. Maybe they would give him a shot, you know, set him up for, I don’t know, some type of belt—maybe an Intercontinental Champion belt, maybe that. Or if you ask me, I think he deserves a shot at the World Championship belt. And, you know, when that didn’t happen either, it’s like, okay, you know, I’m at this point where I just want to call my son and say, ‘Hey, go ahead and just take a break,’ because obviously them 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.’

Rikishi also mentioned that while WWE is making money off Jey’s “Yeet” merchandise, Jey is out there working hard for his success, making appearances and engaging with fans, not because he has to, but because the fans love him.

Rikishi stressed that his concerns could apply to any wrestler, not just his son. He hopes WWE will recognize Jey’s value and give him the opportunities he deserves. Rikishi also believed that Jey could succeed elsewhere, like in AEW, if WWE doesn’t appreciate him.

”And I mention this, you know, definitely WWE is 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, they’re making—you see it every week—there’s a new merchandise of ‘Yeet’ coming out: this ‘Yeet’ hoodie, this ‘Yeet’ foam hand, this thing, this, that, and ‘The Yeet Man’ is out doing personal appearances. I mean, that’s not because he has to, but it’s because that’s the demand of the fans. They want all the characters that they pick—they pick ‘The Yeet Man.’ And so what I’m saying is, make no mistake about it, I am not favoring my son to be able to speak on this. What I’m speaking about is 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 giving, pulling the, you know, lighting this kid up and just, you know, letting him do his thing?

But I appreciate everybody, you know, for when I put out my post, everybody came through because obviously y’all feel the same way I do. And let’s just hope WWE gets it together and, you know, does the right thing. At the end of the day, these are bodies—this is my flesh and blood, my flesh and blood that’s pounding his body day in, day out. When I see him, I see him, you know, he has a family, comes home and just, you know, aching, and you know what I mean, his body’s hurting, but he’ll never sell it.

He’ll never sell it because he’s not trained that way; he’s not trained to quit. He’s trained responsibility—you know, you sign that dotted line, and that dotted line, 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. We already know the kid is so good—WWE ain’t the only spot. He can probably go to AEW if he wanted to write his own ticket, maybe more than what WWE is making on him.”

Fans have been vocal in their support for WWE to elevate Jey Uso to the top of the card. As a major fan favorite on Monday Night RAW, there is significant anticipation for WWE to push him to singles champion status, with hopes that he could eventually become a World Champion. Many are eagerly awaiting to see if WWE will capitalize on his popularity and potential in the near future, or if Jey Uso might consider a move to AEW down the line.

What do you think of what Rikishi had to say about Jey Uso possibly joining AEW due to his mediocre booking in WWE? Let us know in the comments section below!

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