Rikishi Goes Nuclear on Vince Russo After Disrespectful Remarks About Jey Uso

On the September 23 episode of Monday Night RAW, Jey Uso finally captured the Intercontinental Championship and cut an emotional about his win on the subsequent episode, which led to Vince Russo disrespecting Jey Uso. In light of Russo’s remarks, Rikishi went nuclear on Russo.

While speaking on the Sportskeeda podcast Legion of Raw, Vince Russo said he didn’t understand Jey Uso’s emotional promo from the September 30th episode of RAW, stating that wrestlers should view titles as props and treat them like just another job.

“I don’t understand this. The dude was so emotional, he could hardly speak. I don’t understand. This is a job. The title is a prop. For the life of me, I don’t understand how these wrestlers get emotional over winning a prop. Jey Uso has been around forever, forever.”

In response, Rikishi addressed Russo on his own podcast Off The Top. He strongly defended his son, calling out Russo for his comments in a very profane rant. Rikishi made it clear that Russo, who never wrestled, has no right to criticize someone like Jey, who has spent 17 years in the ring and has dealt with physical pain and personal sacrifices to reach this point in his career.

“Ok….if you’re listening, Russo, first of all, you can go f*** yourself. You don’t have the right to even put my son’s name in your mouth. You don’t have a right to talk about somebody that has laced up boots for 17-plus years — broken bones, sweat, tear, and blood in that ring. Sometimes 45 minutes. ladders, chairs match. Split wide open. You don’t have a right to open your mouth of what you think is right for a person when you finally win this so-called motherf***ing prop that you think. When was the first time, when did you ever get your ass in there, run a match, 45 minutes? Anybody can pull up a pencil and write your fantasies of what you think an angle is supposed to be. But when you talk about my boy, when you talk about you didn’t understand, you’re goddamn right, motherf***er. You didn’t understand.”

Rikishi also invited Russo to address his comments in person, stating that he doesn’t tolerate disrespect towards his family, especially his son. He highlighted the hard work and dedication that his family, particularly Jey, has put into the wrestling business for over 75 years.

“So if you got a problem with my son, if you got a problem with him winning the strap, the so-called prop, you’re ass call it cause that’s what you do. You, that damn computer gangsta, The one who wants to talk s**t behind online while you’re letting your fingers do the talking through your iPhone or whatever the case may be. Hey man, step up. Step the f**k up. Let’s do this. You ain’t even gonna have my boy there. Me and you. Anytime you want to open your mouth about the Anoaʻi-Fatu clan, and you try to disrespect what my boys or what my family has worked hard for, 75-plus years, man. This kid here bust his ass for 16 years, man. So you would never know that hard grind, let alone not being home for his kids, traveling one side of the world to the next side of the world, to do what he’s got to do. There has to be a purpose for something. What is it? What is it with you, like, trying to knock a moment that means so much to a person that’s well-deserving? So I ain’t hard to find, my man. You want to link up? You know where to find me. Keep my family’s name out your mouth. Especially my son.”

Regardless, Rikishi has every right to defend his son Jey Uso from all forms of criticism, especially when Jey Uso was simply being genuine from the heart in his promo. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Vince Russo will respond to Rikishi’s profane rant soon enough.