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Jey Uso
Jey Uso
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Key Information

Joshua Samuel Fatu (born August 22, 1985), better known by the ring name Jey Uso, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the epithet "Main Event" Jey Uso. He is a member of the Anoaʻi family of professional wrestlers.

Trained since childhood by his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, Jey debuted in 2008, before joining WWE's then-developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in 2010, and wrestled as Jules Uso alongside his twin brother, Jimmy, as The Usos, where they became FCW Florida Tag Team Champions. They were moved to the main roster later that year.[7] From July 2021 to June 2023, he was part of the villainous stable The Bloodline.

During his time as part of The Usos, Jey holds the record for the longest male tag team championship reign in WWE history at 622 days, which was accomplished in their fifth reign with the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship.[8] They are overall eight-time tag team champions in WWE, capturing the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship three times and winning the Slammy Award for Tag Team of the Year in both 2014 and 2015. In 2017, they won the SmackDown Tag Team Championship on three occasions, followed by a fourth reign in 2019 and a fifth reign in 2021. They are the first team to win both the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Championships and the first team to hold them simultaneously as the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. The two headlined multiple pay-per-views, including WrestleMania 39 - Night 1.

As a singles professional wrestler, Jey won the 2020 Feud of the Year category for his feud with Roman Reigns by the CBS Sports as well as the 2021 André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.[9][10] He would later win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship with Cody Rhodes, marking his fourth reign with the Raw Tag Team Championship and sixth reign with the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. In September 2024, he won the Intercontinental Championship, the first singles title of his career. In February 2025, Uso won the Men's Royal Rumble, earning him a world championship match at WrestleMania 41, where he defeated Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship, marking the first world title of his career.

Early life

[edit]

Joshua Samuel Fatu was born in San Francisco, California on August 22, 1985, nine minutes after his twin brother Jonathan, to parents Talisua Fuavai and professional wrestler Solofa Fatu Jr.[5] He is of Samoan descent and is a member of the Anoaʻi family.[11][12] He attended Escambia High School with his twin brother in Pensacola, Florida, where he played competitive football. He continued his football career at University of West Alabama from 2003 to 2005, where he played linebacker.[13]

Football career

[edit]

Fatu attended and played linebacker for the University of West Alabama. Prior to the 2005 season, UWA head football coach Sam McCorkle cited in a Tuscaloosa News article that Fatu would be one of the players to watch. McCorkle hoped Josh Fatu, who was previously sat out for academic reasons, would help provide shots on defense. The season did not go as Fatu hoped it would.[13][14]

Realizing his football career was not heading down a desirable path, Fatu and his brother Jonathan decided to join their father Rikishi and uncle, Umaga in the wrestling industry.[13]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career (2007–2009)

[edit]

As Joshua Fatu, he made his professional wrestling debut for World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) alongside his brother Jonathan Fatu, as a tag team called The Fatu Twins in Milton, Florida, on June 8, 2007.[5] On December 12, 2008, Joshua made his appearance for National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) at NWA Prime Time event in Columbus, Georgia, as Josh Fatu. He was a member of a tag team called The Samoan Soldiers with his brother Jonathan.[15] In 2009, he and his brother wrestled twice as a tag team for Xtreme Championship Wrestling (XCW) in Decature and North Richland Hills, Texas.[15]

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

[edit]

Florida Championship Wrestling (2010)

[edit]

Joshua made his debut as "Jules Uso", joining a tag team with his brother, called the Uso Brothers starting in 2010 by defeating The Rotundo Brothers (Duke and Bo) on January 14.[16] On February 18, The Rotundo Brothers teamed up with Wes Brisco to defeat The Usos and Donny Marlow.[17] They continued their association with Marlow at the television tapings on February 25, when he accompanied them to ringside for a victory against Titus O'Neil and Big E Langston.[18] The following month, they were given a manager, Sarona Snuka. On March 13, The Usos defeated The Fortunate Sons (Joe Hennig and Brett DiBiase) to win the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship.[19][20][21] They made their first successful title defense at the March 18 television tapings against The Dudebusters (Trent Baretta and Caylen Croft).[22] They went on to successfully defend the championship against Percy Watson and Darren Young, Hunico and Tito Nieves, Skip Sheffield and Darren Young, and The Dudebusters, who they defeated by disqualification when Tamina pulled the referee out of the ring to stop him from counting the pinfall.[23][24][25][26] On June 3, The Usos lost the Florida Tag Team Championship to "Los Aviadores" (Hunico and Dos Equis).[19][27]

The early beginnings as The Usos (2010–2016)

[edit]
The Usos with Tamina in September 2010

On the May 24, 2010, episode of Raw, The Usos (with Jules now wrestling as Jey Uso) and Tamina made their debut as heels by attacking the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions, The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, and Natalya).[28][29] The following week, Raw General Manager Bret Hart stated that he had signed them to contracts. That night, the trio cut a promo, stating that they were looking for respect for their families. They were interrupted and attacked by The Hart Dynasty, who were seeking revenge for the surprise attack the previous week.[30] The Usos attempted to attack The Hart Dynasty again on the June 7 episode of Raw, but The Harts gained the upper hand.[31] The Usos made their in-ring debut for the brand on the June 17 episode of Superstars, defeating Goldust and Mark Henry.[32] Three days later, they made their pay-per-view debut by losing to The Hart Dynasty in a six-person mixed tag team match at Fatal 4-Way.[33] The Usos were scheduled to face The Hart Dynasty on the June 28 episode of Raw, but the match never started as The Usos instead attacked The Harts when they were entering the ring.[34] The Usos defeated The Hart Dynasty for the first time in a six-person mixed tag team match on the July 12 episode of Raw when Jey pinned Smith.[35] The Usos challenged The Harts for the Unified Tag Team Championship at Money in the Bank on July 18, but were unsuccessful.[36] On the July 26 episode of Raw, Jey Uso faced Randy Orton in his first singles match on the brand in a losing effort. They received another shot for the Tag Team Championship on September 19 at Night of Champions in a Tag Team Turmoil match, where they eliminated both The Hart Dynasty and the team of Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella before being eliminated by Mark Henry and Evan Bourne. On the December 6 episode of Raw, The Usos were in a fatal four-way tag match and were eliminated, but Tamina stayed in the corner of Marella and Kozlov upon their winning of the WWE Tag Team Championship; as a result, she turned face and left The Usos.

On April 26, 2011, both Usos were drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2011 Supplemental Draft.[37] On the June 2 episode of Superstars, The Usos turned face when they competed against The Corre (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) in a losing effort.[38] During this time, The Usos began performing the Siva Tau, a traditional Samoan war dance, as part of their ring entrance, using the dance to display their strength and energize themselves; they performed this entrance until their heel turn in 2016.[39][40] On the July 29 episode of SmackDown, The Usos challenged David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty for the WWE Tag Team Titles, but were defeated.[41]

The Usos at the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony inducting their cousin Yokozuna

The Usos then began appearing on the fifth season of NXT in September 2011, by delivering post-match attacks on the team of Darren Young and JTG.[42] The Usos then went on to defeat Young and JTG on the September 27 episode of NXT Redemption. However, just like how The Usos debuted on NXT, they were attacked after their win by another debuting tag team, Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks,[43] and The Usos lost to Hawkins and Reks the next week. In the following months and into 2012, The Usos exchanged wins with Hawkins and Reks on NXT, while continually losing to Primo and Epico on SmackDown.[44] They also feuded with JTG, who had become Tamina's boyfriend.[45] In March 2012, The Usos began a feud with Darren Young and Titus O'Neil, after they mocked The Usos' pre-match Siva Tau.[46] Although The Usos beat Young and O'Neil in tag team matches, they were continually defeated in singles matches.[47] The Usos then started a feud with The Ascension (Conor O'Brian and Kenneth Cameron) on the August 15 episode of NXT, with a match between the two tag teams ending in the Ascension being disqualified; the Ascension then conducted a post-match attack on The Usos.[48] On the September 5 episode of NXT, the Ascension defeated The Usos.[49] The Usos then teamed with Richie Steamboat to lose to The Ascension and Kassius Ohno on the October 17 episode of NXT.[50] The Usos' feud with the Ascension was cut short when Cameron was released from WWE.[51]

On April 1 at WrestleMania XXVIII, The Usos unsuccessfully challenged for the WWE Tag Team Championship in a triple threat dark match against champions Primo and Epico and Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel when the defending champions retained their titles.[52] At No Way Out on June 17, The Usos faced Primo and Epico, Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd, and The Prime Time Players in a Fatal-4-Way tag team match to determine the Number 1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Champions and were unsuccessful.[53] On the July 16 episode of Raw, The Usos made an appearance dancing with their father, Rikishi, after Rikishi made a "Blast from the Past" return defeating Heath Slater.[52] On the September 7 episode of SmackDown, The Usos were unsuccessful in winning a triple threat tag team match for number one contendership for the WWE Tag Team titles against The Prime Time Players, and Primo and Epico.

The Usos in November 2013

On the June 3 episode of Raw, The Usos began to use face paint similar to their deceased uncle Eddie Fatu, also known as Umaga, as a means of further highlighting their Samoan culture.[54] At Money in the Bank on July 14, The Usos challenged The Shield (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) for the titles in a losing effort. On October 27, they participated in a triple-threat tag team match against the team of Cody Rhodes and Goldust and The Shield at Hell in a Cell, but lost.[55] The Usos were involved in the traditional Survivor Series elimination match at Survivor Series on November 24, teaming with Rey Mysterio, Cody Rhodes and Goldust in a losing effort against The Real Americans and The Shield.

At the beginning of 2014, The Usos would go on a winning streak and began to demand a Tag Team Championship match from New Age Outlaws. They received their title shot at Elimination Chamber on February 23, but were once again unsuccessful. On the March 3 episode of Raw, The Usos defeated the Outlaws to win the titles. At the WrestleMania XXX pre-show on April 6, The Usos successfully defended their titles in a fatal four-way elimination match against Ryback and Curtis Axel, The Real Americans, and Los Matadores. The Usos then feuded with The Wyatt Family, successfully retaining the championships against Harper and Rowan on June 29 at Money in the Bank and in a two-out-of-three falls match at Battleground on July 20. The Usos dropped the titles to Goldust and Stardust at Night of Champions on September 21, ending their reign at 202 days.[56]

The Usos with Naomi making their entrance to the ring at the WrestleMania 31 pre-show in March 2015

On the December 29 episode of Raw, The Usos recaptured the titles from The Miz and Damien Mizdow after feuding with them over Naomi's entertainment opportunities. However, they lost the titles at Fastlane on February 22 against Tyson Kidd and Cesaro.[57] In a rematch the next night on Raw, The Usos failed to regain the titles due to Natalya interfering for a disqualification victory. At the March 9 SmackDown tapings, Jey Uso suffered a legitimate shoulder injury. At the WrestleMania 31 pre-show on March 29, they competed in a fatal-four-way tag team match, which they lost and Jey further injured his shoulder.

After Jey suffered an anterior shoulder dislocation on the left arm, he remained off WWE television for about six months. He returned on the November 2 episode of Raw alongside his brother Jimmy as a surprise return to team up with their cousin Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Ryback against Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and The New Day in a Survivor Series elimination tag team match, The Usos along with Reigns, Ambrose and Ryback were victorious in the match. On the November 30 episode of Raw, The Usos competed in a tag team #1 contenders match against Lucha Dragons, which ended in a double disqualification when The New Day attacked both teams. Later that night, Stephanie McMahon told The Usos that they would be inserted to the tag team championship match at the TLC pay-per-view if Roman Reigns defeated Sheamus during the main event of the show in 5 minutes and 15 seconds, which he won by disqualification. At TLC on December 13, The Usos competed in a losing effort. The Usos won a Slammy Award on the December 21 episode of Raw for "Tag team of the year".

At the Royal Rumble on January 24, 2016, The Usos unsuccessfully challenged The New Day for the WWE Tag Team Championship. In February, The Usos entered a feud with the Dudley Boyz after they put The Usos through tables after defeating The New Day and Mark Henry in an 8-man tag team tables match. On April 3, at the WrestleMania 32 kickoff show, The Usos defeated The Dudley Boyz, but the next night on Raw, they were defeated by the Dudleys in a tables match. On the April 11 episode of Raw, The Usos defeated The Social Outcasts in the first round of a tag team tournament. Following the match, they were attacked by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The following week on Raw, The Usos lost to The Vaudevillains in the semi-final round.[58] On the May 2 episode of Raw, The Usos and Roman Reigns lost to AJ Styles, Gallows and Anderson in a six-man tag team match after Styles pinned Jey. At Extreme Rules on May 22, The Usos lost to Gallows and Anderson in a Texas Tornado match, but helped Reigns retain his title in the main event.

Tag team dominance (2016–2020)

[edit]

On July 19, during the 2016 WWE draft, The Usos were drafted to SmackDown working on both the Battleground and SummerSlam pre-shows. Then, they entered an 8 tag team tournament to determine the inaugural holders of the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. On the September 6 episode of SmackDown, The Usos turned heel for the first time since 2011 when they attacked American Alpha after losing to them in 28 seconds in the semi-finals. At Backlash on September 11, The Usos defeated the Hype Bros before facing Heath Slater and Rhyno in the tournament finals, where they were defeated. On October 9, The Usos faced the new champions at No Mercy, but were again defeated. As part of their heel turn, they began a street-like, thuggish gimmick. The Usos participated in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match at Survivor Series on November 20, where they lost to Cesaro and Sheamus of Team Raw.[59] The Usos would reignite their feud with American Alpha following Elimination Chamber on February 12, after they attacked American Alpha.

On the March 21, 2017, episode of SmackDown, The Usos defeated American Alpha to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, becoming the first team to have won both the Raw (formerly WWE Tag Team Championship) and SmackDown Tag Team Championship.[60] On the April 11 episode of SmackDown Live, The Usos were successful in their first title defense by defeating American Alpha in a rematch, ending the feud.[61] They retained the titles at Backlash on May 21 against Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango)[62] and Money in the Bank on June 18 against The New Day,[63] but lost them at Battleground on June 23 to The New Day, ending their 124-day reign.[64] On August 20 at the SummerSlam pre-show, The Usos defeated The New Day to recapture the titles.[65] Their reign ended on the September 12 episode of SmackDown Live after they lost to The New Day in a Sin City Street Fight,[66] but regained the titles on October 8 at Hell in a Cell.[67] Two days later on SmackDown Live, The Usos claimed that they had respect for The New Day, turning into fan favorites again.[68]

At Survivor Series on November 19, they defeated Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus in an interbrand Champion vs Champion match.[69] At Clash of Champions on December 17, The Usos retained the titles in a fatal four-way tag team match against Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin, The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) and Rusev and Aiden English.[70] At Royal Rumble on January 28, 2018, The Usos retained the titles against Gable and Benjamin in a two out of three falls match, winning 2–0.[71] They would renew their rivalry with the New Day, culminating in a title match at Fastlane on March 11, which would end in a no-contest due to interference from The Bludgeon Brothers.[72] At WrestleMania 34 on April 8, The Usos wrestled on the main card of WrestleMania for the first time, where they defended the titles against The New Day and The Bludgeon Brothers in a triple threat tag team match. The Usos dropped the belts to The Bludgeon Brothers after Harper pinned Kofi Kingston, ending their reign at 182 days and setting a record for the longest SmackDown Tag Team Championship reign.[73] On the SmackDown after WrestleMania, The Usos would defeat the New Day to earn a rematch against the Bludgeon Brothers for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship at the Greatest Royal Rumble.[74] At the event on April 27, The Usos were defeated when Rowan pinned Jey Uso.[75]

The Usos as SmackDown Tag Team Champions at WrestleMania 34

On the May 22 episode of SmackDown, The Usos attempted to earn another title match at Money in the Bank, but were defeated by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.[76] Following the loss, The Usos began failing to earn numerous title opportunities, including a tag team match against a returning Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane) on the July 3 episode of SmackDown and losing in the first round of a number one contender's tournament to The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) on the July 31 episode of SmackDown.[77] After months of treading in the division, The Usos began to build momentum, starting with Survivor Series on November 18, where they, as Team SmackDown's captains, emerged from the 10-on-10 Survivor Series match as the sole survivors, giving SmackDown their only win over Raw.[78] They would go on to challenge The Bar for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship in a triple threat match, which also included the New Day at TLC on December 16, but failed to capture the titles.[79]

On the January 29, 2019, episode of SmackDown, they defeated The Bar, The New Day and new SmackDown tag team Heavy Machinery (Otis and Tucker) to get a SmackDown Tag Team Championship match at Elimination Chamber on February 17,[80] where they defeated Shane McMahon and The Miz to win the titles for a record fourth time.[81] On the March 26 episode of SmackDown, The Usos were a part of a tag team gauntlet match in which they forfeited to former longtime rivals the New Day as a show of respect and to help Kofi Kingston earn a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania.[82] As a storyline punishment for their deed, they were scheduled to defend the titles against The Bar, Aleister Black and Ricochet, and Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev in a Fatal 4-Way at WrestleMania 35 on April 7,[83] which they won.[84] Two days later on SmackDown, The Usos lost the titles to Hardy Boyz.[85]

As part of the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up, The Usos were drafted to the Raw brand.[86] They entered a feud with The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) on Raw, while also entering a feud with Daniel Bryan and Rowan on SmackDown, thanks to WWE's new Wild Card Rule.[87][88] On the May 7 episode of SmackDown Live, they failed to regain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship from Bryan and Rowan.[89] At Money in the Bank on May 19, they defeated Bryan and Rowan in a non-title match.[90][91] They continued their feud with The Revival, where the two teams traded victories with one another.[92][93] On the June 10 episode of Raw, both The Usos and The Revival competed in a triple threat match for the Raw Tag Team Championship against champions Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, which The Revival won.[94] On July 14 at Extreme Rules, The Usos challenged The Revival for the titles, where they were unsuccessful.[95][96] Following Jimmy's arrest for DUI, the duo would be off television for the remainder of the calendar year.[97][98]

On the January 3, 2020, episode of SmackDown, The Usos made a surprise return once again as part of the SmackDown brand, aiding Roman Reigns from an attack by King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler.[99] The Usos then challenged for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at Elimination Chamber on March 8[100][101] and WrestleMania 36 on April 4, where they were unsuccessful again.[102][103] During the match at WrestleMania, Jimmy suffered a legitimate knee injury, putting him out of in-ring action indefinitely.[104]

The Bloodline (2020–2023)

[edit]

On the September 4 episode of SmackDown, after Big E was attacked and injured in a storyline, Uso took Big E's place in a fatal 4-way match against Matt Riddle, King Corbin, and Sheamus where the winner would earn a Universal Championship match at Clash of Champions against Roman Reigns, who turned heel recently. He won by pinning Riddle to earn the first singles championship opportunity of his career.[105] On September 27, he was defeated at Clash of Champions when Jimmy appeared and threw in a towel on Jey's behalf. Uso then received a rematch on October 25 at Hell in a Cell in an "I Quit" Hell in a Cell match, but lost again.[106][107][108] After Hell in a Cell, he aligned with Roman Reigns, thus turning heel in the process.[109] On the April 9, 2021, special WrestleMania edition of SmackDown, he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. This marked Uso's first major singles accolade in WWE.[10]

The Usos in 2022

After Jimmy returned from injury on the May 7 episode of SmackDown, there was an initial strife between The Usos and Reigns before they all reconciled and formed a faction, with Jimmy turning heel in the process.[110][111] During the Money in the Bank Kickoff pre-show on July 18, The Usos were successful in capturing their fifth SmackDown Tag Team Championship from the Mysterios (Rey and Dominik).[112] At SummerSlam on August 21, The Usos would defeat The Mysterios in a rematch to retain the titles.[113]

On January 16, 2022, they broke their previous record of 185 days as longest reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions.[114] At Night 1 of WrestleMania 38 on April 2, The Usos defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs to retain their championships.[115] At WrestleMania Backlash on May 8, The Usos and Reigns defeated RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) and Drew McIntyre in a six-man tag team match.[116] On the May 20 episode of SmackDown, they, with outside interference from Reigns, defeated RK-Bro to win the Raw Tag Team Championship, becoming the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. This gave The Usos their third reign as Raw Tag Team Champions (and first reign with the title since 2014) and made them the first team to hold the Raw and SmackDown titles simultaneously.[117] At Money in the Bank on July 2, The Usos retained their undisputed titles against Street Profits in controversial fashion, with The Usos winning by pinfall despite Montez Ford's shoulder being off the mat.[118] A rematch between the teams was scheduled for SummerSlam[119] with a special guest referee, later revealed to be Jeff Jarrett.[120]

On July 18, The Usos surpassed the 365-day mark as SmackDown Tag Team Champions, becoming the first team to hold the titles for a continuous reign of one full year. At SummerSlam on July 30, The Usos successfully retained against The Street Profits.[121] At Crown Jewel on November 5, The Usos successfully retained the titles against The Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland).[122] On the November 11 episode of SmackDown, they retained their championships against The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods), thus ensuring that they would become the longest reigning male tag team champions on WWE's main roster, a record previously set by The New Day at 483 days.[123] On November 14, 2022, The Usos officially broke The New Day's record for main roster tag team championships, and then on November 28, they broke Gallus' record of 497 days with the NXT UK Tag Team Championship to become the longest reigning male tag team champions in WWE history, regardless of championship or roster status. At Survivor Series: WarGames on November 26, The Bloodline (The Usos, Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn) defeated The Brawling Brutes, Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens in a WarGames match.[124]

Tensions between The Usos and Sami Zayn resurfaced in subsequent weeks. After Reigns retained the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble against Kevin Owens on January 28, 2023, The Usos proceeded to beat down Owens and handcuff him to the ring ropes. After refusing to hit Owens, Zayn then hit Reigns with a steel chair, turning face. Jimmy, Sikoa and Reigns attacked Zayn whilst Jey looked on and eventually left the ring in disgust.[125] After the event, Uso declared on Instagram that "he's out"[126] and did not appear on the following episode of SmackDown.[127] He would show up on the February 10 episode of SmackDown to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship with Jimmy against Braun Strowman and Ricochet. Before the episode ended, Reigns, through Heyman, informed The Usos to stay at home for the following week's episode of SmackDown and Elimination Chamber in Canada.[128]

On the March 6 episode of Raw, Uso showed up in the crowd during Jimmy's match against Zayn, which Jimmy lost. Following the match, he hugged Zayn and then delivered a Superkick to the latter, affirming his allegiance to The Bloodline. The Usos and Sikoa then attacked Zayn before Cody Rhodes ran out to save Zayn.[129] On the March 20 episode of Raw, a reunited Owens and Zayn challenged The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 39, which The Usos accepted.[130] At Night 1 of WrestleMania on April 1, The Usos main evented WrestleMania for the first time in their careers, where they lost the titles to Owens and Zayn, thus ending their Raw reign at 316 days and their record SmackDown reign at 622 days. This match also marked the first time a tag team match main evented WrestleMania since its inaugural show.[131] Following their loss, Reigns started ignoring them and began depending more on Sikoa instead, with Reigns inserting himself and Sikoa into a title match at Night of Champions.[132] They failed to capture the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships in their rematch against Owens and Zayn on the April 28 episode of SmackDown.[133]

Singles championship reigns (2023–present)

[edit]
Jey Uso as WWE Intercontinental Champion in 2024

At Night of Champions on May 27, Jimmy turned face after he and Jey cost Reigns and Sikoa the match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships, with Jimmy superkicking Reigns for mistreating them.[134] Jimmy was officially excommunicated from The Bloodline for his actions at Night of Champions on the June 2 episode of SmackDown during Reigns' 1,000 days Universal Champion celebration.[135] On the June 16 episode of SmackDown, Jey sided with Jimmy and left The Bloodline by kicking Reigns, turning face for the first time since 2020. The Usos then superkicked both Sikoa and Reigns.[136] On July 1 at Money in the Bank, The Usos defeated Reigns and Sikoa in a "Bloodline Civil War" tag team match after Jey pinned Reigns, giving him his first direct pinfall loss since December 2019 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.[137]

On August 5 at SummerSlam, Uso faced Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in a Tribal Combat match. Uso attempted to pin Reigns during the closing moments of the match, but Jimmy appeared to have turned on Jey by pulling him out of the ring and superkicked him, allowing Reigns to win.[138] Uso returned at Payback on September 2, appearing on The Grayson Waller Effect with Cody Rhodes announcing that he would be switching brands from SmackDown to Raw.[139]

At Fastlane on October 7, Uso and Rhodes defeated Bálor and Priest to win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, but lost it 9 days later.[140][141] At Survivor Series: WarGames, Uso, Rhodes, Zayn, Seth "Freakin" Rollins and the returning Randy Orton defeated McIntyre and The Judgment Day (Priest, Bálor, Mysterio, and JD McDonagh) in a WarGames match.[142]

At Night 1 of WrestleMania XL on April 6, Uso defeated his brother Jimmy via pinfall.[143] The following night, Uso interfered in the main event between Reigns and Cody Rhodes, attacking Jimmy and spearing him through a table at the entrance ramp. The next night on Raw, Uso won a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship for Backlash France thanks to CM Punk.[144] At the event on May 4, he failed to win the title from Priest after interference from JD McDonagh and Finn Bálor.[145] Two nights later on Raw, he replaced an injured Drew McIntyre in the King of the Ring tournament, defeating Finn Bálor in the first round,[146] and Ilja Dragunov to advance to the semifinals of the tournament,[147] where he lost to Gunther.[148] On the June 17 episode of Raw, Uso defeated Rey Mysterio and Finn Bálor to qualify for the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match at Money in the Bank.[149] At the event on July 6, he failed to retrieve the briefcase as it was won by Drew McIntyre.[150] On the September 9 episode of Raw, Uso defeated Pete Dunne, Ilja Dragunov, and Braun Strowman in a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship.[151] On the September 23 episode of Raw, Uso defeated Bron Breakker to win the title, his first singles championship in his wrestling career. Additionally, he and his father Rikishi became only the second father-son duo to become Intercontinental Champion, following Mr. Perfect and his son Curtis Axel.[152] On the October 7 episode of Raw, Uso defeated Xavier Woods to retain his title in his first title defense. After the match, Uso was attacked by Breakker.[153]

Jey Uso won the Royal Rumble match at the eponymous event on February 1, 2025.

On October 25 episode of Raw, Uso dropped the Intercontinental Championship back to Breakker after interference from the Bloodline (now consisting of Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu), ending his reign at 28 days.[154] On the October 25 episode of SmackDown, Uso assisted Jimmy and Roman Reigns in taking out The Bloodline.[155] On the November 1 episode of SmackDown, Uso agreed to team with Reigns and Jimmy against The Bloodline at Crown Jewel, but only if Roman treated him as an equal, which Reigns agreed to.[156] At the event on November 2, The Usos and Reigns lost to Sikoa, Tonga and Fatu in a Six-Man Tag Team match with Sikoa pinning Reigns.[157] At Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30, Jey, Jimmy, Reigns, Sami Zayn and CM Punk defeated The Bloodline and Bronson Reed in a WarGames match.[158] At Saturday Night's Main Event on January 25, 2025, Uso challenged Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship, but failed to win the title.[159]

The following week at the Royal Rumble, Uso entered the namesake match as entrant #20, which he won by last eliminating John Cena.[160] On the February 10 episode of Raw, Uso announced that he would face Gunther in a rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41.[161] On Night 1 of the event on April 19, Uso defeated Gunther via submission to win the title in the opening match, winning his first singles world title.[162] On the May 5 episode of Raw, Uso defended the title against Seth Rollins, retaining via disqualification caused by CM Punk attacking Rollins in retaliation of interference by Bron Breakker.[163] After Raw went off-the-air, Uso was attacked by Logan Paul.[164] At Saturday Night's Main Event on May 24, Uso successfully retained the title against Paul, despite interference by John Cena, with the help of a returning Cody Rhodes.[165] After that match, Rhodes challenged Paul and Cena to a tag team match at Money in the Bank which was made official a few days later. At the event on June 7, Rhodes and Uso defeated Cena and Paul with the help of a returning R-Truth.[166] Two nights later on Raw, Uso lost the title back to Gunther in a rematch via technical submission, ending his reign at 51 days.[167] A week later, Uso was revealed as the mystery participant in the King of the Ring tournament, winning the final first round match in the tournament.[168] On the June 23 episode of Raw, Uso lost to Rhodes in the semifinals.[169] At SummerSlam Night 1 on August 2, Uso and the returning Roman Reigns defeated Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.[170] On August 31, at Clash in Paris, Uso failed to regain the World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins in a fatal four-way match also involving CM Punk and LA Knight.[171] On the September 8 episode of Raw, Jey Uso speared LA Knight, turning tweener while having a more aggressive attitude. At Wrestlepalooza on September 20, he reunited with Jimmy in a losing effort against The Vision (Breakker and Reed).[172] On October 11, at Crown Jewel: Perth, The Usos tried to help Reigns to beat Reed, but made Reigns lose.[173] On the October 20 episode of Raw, Jey won a battle royal to earn a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity against CM Punk, for the vacant title at Saturday Night's Main Event XLI.[174] At the event on November 1, Uso lost to Punk for the title.[175][176]

Other media

[edit]

He starred in the first episode of Outside the Ring, where he and his brother, Jimmy Uso cooked a traditional Samoan barbecue.[177]

Jey made his video game debut in WWE '13 as a DLC.[178] The Usos were not in WWE 2K14 but returned in WWE 2K15, and have continued to appear in WWE 2K16, WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19, WWE 2K20, WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, WWE 2K24 and WWE 2K25. He also appeared uncredited in Countdown with Dolph Ziggler, Roman Reigns, and Big Show and his brother Jimmy Uso as well as the animated film The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!, which he played a role as Usobots.

Jey made a brief appearance on the reality television series Total Divas due to his brother, Jimmy being married to Total Divas star Naomi.

Jey is regularly featured on Xavier Woods' YouTube channel UpUpDownDown, where he goes by the nickname 'Jucey'. He challenged Kofi Kingston for the title in a game of Tetris, where he defeated Kingston to win the championship.[179]

After being named the number one contender for the WWE Universal Championship in September 2020, he was featured on an episode of the WWE Network mini documentary series WWE Chronicle.

Personal life

[edit]

Fatu is of Samoan descent. As the son of WWE Hall of Famer Solofa Fatu Jr. (Rikishi), the twin brother of Jon Fatu (Jimmy Uso) and the brother of Sefa Fatu (Solo Sikoa), he is also part of the Anoaʻi family. His stage name "uso" means "brother" in the Samoan language. From 2011 to 2016, he performed the Samoan Siva Tau before their matches.

Uso was married to his high school sweetheart Takecia Travis since February 13, 2014. The couple met at Escambia High School where they first started dating. The couple has two sons. The couple also have three French Bulldogs named Pongo, Mumble and Jax.[180]

Championships and accomplishments

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Uso is a one-time World Heavyweight Champion...
...and an overall 10-time tag team champion in WWE.

Notes

[edit]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Joshua Samuel Fatu, better known by his ring name Jey Uso, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE's Raw brand, where he performs as a singles competitor and is a former World Heavyweight Champion. Born on August 22, 1985, in , , Uso stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 242 pounds, hailing from the legendary Anoa'i family of Samoan wrestlers. As the twin brother of fellow wrestler and son of WWE Hall of Famer , Jey Uso debuted in WWE's developmental territory in 2009 before joining the main roster in 2010 as one half of the . Together with Jimmy, they became one of the most decorated s in history, capturing the WWE (Raw) Tag Team Championship three times and the WWE (SmackDown) Tag Team Championship five times, tying the record for the most reigns as a in company history. Their high-energy style, incorporating superkicks and splashes, earned them accolades such as Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Tag Team of the Year in 2014 and multiple for Tag Team of the Year in 2014 and 2015. Uso's career evolved significantly in the early when he became a key figure in The Bloodline stable led by his cousin , contributing to the group's dominance while navigating internal conflicts that highlighted themes of family loyalty. In 2023, he broke away from The Bloodline to pursue a solo path on Raw, aligning with stars like and , and winning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship with Rhodes in a short but impactful reign. His solo accolades include victory in the 2021 Memorial and the Intercontinental Championship. In 2025, Uso reached new heights by winning the Royal Rumble match on February 1, last eliminating to earn a WrestleMania 41 main event spot, where he defeated the incumbent champion to become the World Heavyweight Champion. This triumph solidified his transition from specialist to main event singles star, with his signature "YEET!" catchphrase and crowd-surfing entrances becoming fan favorites. As of November 2025, Uso is a top singles competitor on Raw, recently challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship amid ongoing rivalries and continuing to honor his family's wrestling legacy.

Early life and background

Family heritage

Jey Uso was born Joshua Samuel Fatu on August 22, 1985, in , , to parents Solofa Fatu Jr., better known by his ring name , a WWE Hall of Famer, and Talisua Fuavai-Fatu, a member of the Samoan Anoa'i lineage. As an identical twin, he shares his birthday with his brother Jonathan Solofa Fatu, professionally known as , who was born just minutes earlier, making the pair central figures in the multi-generational Anoa'i wrestling dynasty. This storied Samoan American family has produced numerous professional wrestlers, with Jey and Jimmy being first cousins to and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, as well as nephews to the late Yokozuna, whose real name was Rodney Anoa'i. From a young age, Jey was immersed in the world of due to his father's prominent career in , where performed as a fan-favorite competitor known for his agility and charisma in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Family gatherings reinforced their Samoan heritage, emphasizing cultural traditions such as the , a ceremonial that symbolizes strength and unity, which later became a signature element of ' ring entrances to honor their roots. These experiences instilled a deep sense of familial pride and cultural identity, shaping Jey's understanding of the Anoa'i legacy as a blend of athletic prowess and Samoan values like respect and resilience. The family eventually relocated from California to Pensacola, Florida, during Jey's childhood, where he grew up in a wrestling-saturated environment yet initially resisted following in his relatives' footsteps. Overwhelmed by the pressure of the family legacy, Jey expressed disinterest in professional wrestling, opting instead for everyday jobs like furniture moving and socializing at local bars after work. This reluctance stemmed from a desire to forge his own path away from the expectations tied to the Anoa'i name, though it was ultimately overridden by interventions from family members, highlighting the inescapable influence of his heritage.

Education and amateur pursuits

Joshua Fatu, known professionally as Jey Uso, attended in , where he excelled in football alongside his twin brother Jonathan. The brothers starred on the school's football team, playing as linebackers and developing a strong foundation in the sport during their high school years. They graduated in 2003 and received partial scholarships to continue their athletic pursuits in college. Following high school, Fatu enrolled at the , a Division II institution, where he played as a linebacker for the Tigers football team from 2003 to 2007. His brother joined him for the initial season in 2003 before departing earlier. During his college tenure, Fatu honed his defensive skills, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of NFL stars like and , though the brothers were not heavily recruited due to their size at the time. Football remained their primary passion, with Fatu later reflecting, "That was our first love... you want to go to the league, right?" After college, Fatu's NFL dreams did not materialize, leading him to take up post-football jobs in , including sales positions. As opportunities in professional football waned, he and his brother adapted by drawing on their Anoa'i family legacy in wrestling. Encouraged by their uncle Eddie "Umaga" Fatu, they transitioned toward the sport in 2007, with Fatu noting the ease of the shift due to his athletic background: "You try to be , ... it was real easy to transition into wrestling."

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit beginnings (2007–2009)

Jey Uso, born Joshua Samuel Fatu, and his twin brother Jimmy began their professional wrestling journeys on the in , leveraging their family's storied Anoa'i wrestling legacy for initial guidance and opportunities. Trained from childhood by their father, WWE Hall of Famer , the brothers focused on developing synergy and fundamental skills under familial mentorship. In 2007, they started performing at (WXW), a promotion founded and operated by their uncle, WWE Hall of Famer , which served as a key training ground tied to the family's Wild Samoan Pro Wrestling Training Center ethos. Their debut occurred on , 2007, at a WXW event in , where the duo, billed as The Fatu Twins, teamed against local competitors to kick off their in-ring careers. Throughout 2007 and 2008, the brothers appeared in WXW and other independent promotions, refining their high-energy style and chemistry as a unit. A notable early came on December 12, 2008, under the team name The Samoan Soldiers at an NWA Prime Time event in , where they secured a victory over (Jake Slater and Mike Stratus) in their debut for the territory. During these years, they honed signature maneuvers like the superkick and Samoan drop, establishing a foundation in through consistent performances against regional talent.

Developmental years in FCW (2009–2010)

In 2009, Joshua Fatu signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to its territorial brand, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he adopted the ring name Jey Uso, drawing from his family's Samoan heritage. Alongside his twin brother Jonathan (Jimmy Uso), who also signed that year, Jey began honing his skills in FCW, building on prior independent training to refine tag team synergy and in-ring athleticism. The Usos made their FCW tag team debut on January 14, 2010, defeating Bo and Duke Rotundo in a match that showcased their explosive style and family-inspired aggression. Over the following months, they competed in several high-energy bouts, emphasizing synchronized superkicks, high-flying dives, and Samoan cultural elements like rhythmic entrances to establish themselves as dynamic performers. Their athletic showcases, including double-team maneuvers and fast-paced sequences, highlighted their potential as a premier tag unit, while early promo work focused on themes of brotherhood and island pride to connect with audiences. On March 13, 2010, at a house show in , captured the by defeating the reigning champions, The Fortunate Sons (Joe Hennig and ), in their first title win after a 3:17 match filled with high-impact offense. They defended the titles successfully against various challengers, including Hunico and on April 18, 2010, demonstrating improved teamwork and resilience in defenses that averaged under 10 minutes. However, their reign ended on June 3, 2010, when they lost the championships to Los Aviadores (Epico and Hunico) at an FCW event in Tampa. During this period, Jey's officially transitioned from Jules Uso to Jey Uso, solidifying their identity as high-energy Samoan specialists poised for advancement.

Main roster debut as The Usos (2010–2016)

The Usos, consisting of twin brothers Jey and Jimmy Uso, made their WWE main roster debut on the May 24, 2010, episode of Raw, where they and their cousin Tamina ambushed the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd) and their manager Natalya following a match. This surprise attack positioned the trio as heels aligned with the Samoan heritage of the Anoa'i family, setting the stage for their tag team presence on the main roster. Shortly after, The Usos competed in their first televised match on the June 3 episode of WWE Superstars, defeating Goldust and Mark Henry, which further established their high-energy, athletic style rooted in their Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) preparation, where they had briefly held the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship earlier that year. Following the debut, were drafted to the SmackDown brand in the 2010 supplemental draft on August 12, marking their official transition to the blue brand as a unified . Their early run focused on building momentum in the tag division through feuds with established teams, including ( and ), whom they faced in non-title matches that highlighted their speed against the streetwise duo's power. The primary rivalry, however, was with , culminating in a title challenge for the Unified Tag Team Championship at Money in the Bank on July 18, 2010, where fell short in a hard-fought bout, solidifying their role as credible contenders despite the loss. This feud extended into late 2010, with additional clashes against teams like and , emphasizing ' agility and superkicks in multi-team environments. As 2011 progressed, expanded their rivalries to include and The Corre stable (Justin and ), engaging in a series of matches that tested their teamwork against the group's brute force and aerial offense. These encounters helped elevate their profile, leading to more opportunities in the tag division, though they remained without gold during this formative period. ' style, characterized by synchronized dives and Samoan spikes, resonated with audiences, paving the way for their breakthrough. The duo's perseverance paid off on March 3, 2014, when they defeated The New Age Outlaws ( and ) on Raw to capture the for the first time, ending a four-year pursuit of main roster and marking a pivotal moment in their career. This victory launched their inaugural reign, which lasted until May 4, 2014, when they lost to of in a 2-out-of-3 falls match at . By 2016, had secured additional reigns, including a second stint later in 2014 after reclaiming the titles from Stardust and Goldust, and transitioning to the SmackDown brand to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship on September 11 at Backlash by defeating ( and ), bringing their total to four reigns. These accomplishments underscored their dominance and longevity as a premier . Throughout this era, evolved from initial personas—aggressive interlopers emphasizing family loyalty—to beloved babyfaces by mid-2011, a shift accelerated by their underdog appeal and crowd-pleasing performances against dominant factions like The Corre. This transition was amplified by their of hip-hop-infused entrance themes, starting with the upbeat "Usos" track and evolving to "So Close Now" featuring rapper in late 2011, which incorporated urban beats and Samoan cultural nods to connect with diverse audiences. Their engaging style fostered superfan interactions, with fans mimicking their signature hand gestures and chants during entrances, transforming matches into high-energy spectacles that boosted their popularity ahead of their title successes.

Rise to tag team prominence (2016–2020)

Following the 2016 , were drafted to the SmackDown brand, where they continued to build their reputation as a premier . On the March 21, 2017, episode of SmackDown Live, they defeated ( and ) to capture the SmackDown Tag Team Championship for the first time, marking a significant milestone in their career on the blue brand. This victory initiated a dominant period, highlighted by successful defenses against teams such as The New Day and ( and Zack Ryder), solidifying their status as workhorses in the division. The Usos' tenure as champions set records, including the longest combined SmackDown Tag Team Championship reign in the title's history at 381 days across their early runs from 2017 onward. Their first individual reign lasted 124 days until they dropped the titles to The New Day at Battleground on July 23, 2017, only to regain them in a Hell in a Cell match on October 8, 2017, for a second reign of 182 days. During this era, they embraced a heel persona characterized by bold promos emphasizing their superior athleticism and a luxurious, street-smart image, complete with customized face paint and an updated entrance theme that underscored their arrival as the division's elite. This character shift fueled intense feuds, including multiple high-stakes encounters with The New Day, culminating in a critically acclaimed Sin City Street Fight on September 12, 2017. By 2019, The Usos had transitioned back to a babyface role, reclaiming the SmackDown Tag Team Championship on May 19, 2019, at Money in the Bank by defeating Daniel Bryan and Rowan in the kickoff match. This reign, lasting 125 days, saw them defend against challengers like The Miz and Shane McMahon, with key victories including a non-title clash against The Miz on the March 5, 2019, episode of SmackDown Live that built momentum toward Fastlane. Their prominence extended to WrestleMania events from 33 to 36, where they competed in high-profile tag team bouts: a triple threat at WrestleMania 34 (April 8, 2018) against The New Day and The Bludgeon Brothers, retaining the titles in a fatal four-way at WrestleMania 35 (April 7, 2019), and challenging for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships in a triple threat at WrestleMania 36 (April 4-5, 2020) against The New Day and The Miz & John Morrison. These appearances underscored their evolution into WWE's most reliable and acclaimed tag team during this period.

Involvement in The Bloodline (2020–2023)

Jey Uso aligned with his cousin Roman Reigns following Reigns' victory over him in an "I Quit" Hell in a Cell match for the Universal Championship at Hell in a Cell on October 25, 2020, marking Jey's heel turn and his role as Reigns' enforcer in the emerging Bloodline faction. This partnership built on the Usos' prior tag team success, positioning Jey as a key figure in Reigns' dominant reign. Solo Sikoa, another family member, joined the group as its enforcer on the September 9, 2022, episode of SmackDown, expanding the faction's influence. During this period, Jey popularized the "Yeet" catchphrase, a high-energy exclamation that resonated with fans and became synonymous with his character within the stable. In 2021, Jey's brother Jimmy returned from injury and turned by joining the Bloodline in May, reuniting as tag team champions under Reigns' leadership and solidifying the group's family dynamic. The faction defended Reigns' Universal interests at on November 21, 2021, where interfered to help Reigns defeat Champion Big E in a champion-versus-champion match, showcasing their loyalty amid brand warfare. This era highlighted Jey's evolution from tag specialist to a more prominent enforcer role, with the brothers reclaiming the SmackDown and setting a record for the longest combined reign in its history. Tensions within the Bloodline escalated in 2022 as Jey expressed doubts about fully acknowledging Reigns' authority as the "Tribal Chief," leading to internal strife and Jimmy's eventual betrayal to side with Reigns. These conflicts peaked in key matches, including the Bloodline's victory in the against , , and at on November 26, 2022, where Jey played a pivotal role in the faction's triumph. Jey's storyline also teased his potential as "Main Event Jey Uso," particularly during his surprise entry in the on January 28, where he shared an emotional staredown with Jimmy amid ongoing family tensions. The faction's dynamics reached a breaking point after the Usos lost the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship to at Night of Champions on May 27, 2023, prompting Jey's frustration and his temporary exit from the group on the , 2023, of SmackDown following Jimmy's superkick . This departure underscored the storyline's focus on versus individual ambition, elevating Jey's within the Bloodline narrative.

Singles transition and major titles (2023–present)

Following his departure from The Bloodline after Night of Champions in May 2023, Jey Uso began a full transition to singles competition, marking a pivotal shift in his career toward individual prominence on the Raw brand. In September 2023, Uso was officially drafted to Raw, where he debuted on the September 4 episode and quickly aligned with amid ongoing tensions with former Bloodline allies. This partnership culminated in a major early achievement when Uso and Rhodes defeated and of to capture the Undisputed Tag Team at Fastlane on October 7, 2023, though they lost the titles later that month at Crown Jewel on to and . Uso's momentum carried into 2024, highlighted by a deeply personal that elevated his solo status. On April 6, 2024, at , Uso defeated his twin brother in their first one-on-one match, securing victory via pinfall after a hard-fought battle that symbolized his independence from Bloodline dynamics. Later that year, Uso captured his first singles championship by defeating for the Intercontinental Championship on the September 23 episode of Raw, ending Breakker's reign in a high-stakes upset that drew widespread acclaim for Uso's resilience and crowd connection. His title reign lasted until October 21, when Breakker reclaimed the belt on Raw, but the accomplishment solidified Uso's viability as a main event contender. Entering 2025, Uso achieved career-defining milestones that cemented his evolution into a top singles star. He won the Men's on February 1, eliminating last to earn a world title opportunity at 41, a shocking upset that underscored his rising popularity. On April 19, at 41 Night 1, Uso dethroned to win the World Heavyweight Championship via submission, ending Gunther's dominant reign and marking Uso's title in a match praised for its intensity. His championship run concluded on June 9 during Raw, when Gunther defeated him in a rematch to reclaim the title. Later that year, on November 1 at , Uso challenged for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship but fell short in a competitive bout, with Punk securing the win to become a seven-time world champion. On the November 14, 2025, episode of SmackDown, Uso defeated to advance in the Last Time is Now Tournament. Throughout this period, Uso maintained main event status on Raw, engaging in ongoing feuds with family members like and , which added emotional depth to his solo narrative while highlighting his "Yeet" persona's enduring appeal.

Media appearances and ventures

Television and film roles

Jey Uso has made several cameo appearances and guest spots in television and , often leveraging his persona to contribute to ensemble casts or family-oriented programming. In the action-thriller Countdown, directed by John Lyde, Jey Uso appeared in an uncredited role as himself alongside fellow performers including his brother , , and . The movie features a plot involving a bomb squad racing against time, with the wrestlers integrated into action sequences as supporting characters. Uso provided voice work for the 2017 animated film The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!, produced by and . In this crossover story, he voiced a robotic version of his character, known as the Usobot, assisting family in thwarting a villainous plot at a futuristic event. The film includes voices from other WWE stars like and . On television, Uso guest-starred in multiple episodes of the Nickelodeon children's reality competition series Paradise Run during its third season in 2017. He participated alongside Jimmy Uso and Naomi in physical challenges, such as zip-lining and volcano slides, in episodes including "Paradise on the Ropes" (Season 3, Episode 16) and "Rumble Run" (Season 3, Episode 20), aimed at engaging young audiences with WWE-themed adventures. Uso also made recurring guest appearances on the E! reality series from 2013 to 2014, primarily in episodes featuring his family connections through Naomi's storyline. Notable spots include an emotional family moment in the April 20, 2014, episode (Season 2), where he supported Naomi and Jimmy during personal discussions. These appearances highlighted behind-the-scenes family dynamics without focusing on in-ring action.

Video games and merchandise

Jey Uso first appeared as a playable character in the WWE video game series with WWE '13, where he and his brother Jimmy were featured as The Usos tag team with their signature Samoan Drop and superkicks. His presence has continued across subsequent titles, including WWE 2K14 through WWE 2K25, evolving to reflect his singles run with updated attire, such as his "Main Event" gear, and an expanded moveset incorporating the Uso Splash and superkicks. In games like WWE 2K20 to WWE 2K24, players can recreate his custom entrances, complete with pyrotechnics and the "Yeet" taunt, enhancing fan engagement in tag team and singles modes. Community-created wrestlers (CAWs) of Jey Uso have gained popularity for simulating Bloodline storylines, often downloaded for use in universe modes to mimic his family feuds and championship pursuits. Merchandise featuring Jey Uso has become a significant aspect of his popularity, particularly the "Yeet" line, which launched amid his 2020 rise in The Bloodline storyline and quickly became a fan staple with its bold, slogan-driven design. In late 2023, Jey Uso's apparel ranked highly on WWE's merchandise sales charts, placing third in December behind and and in the top five for October, outperforming . His sales continued to surge in 2024 and 2025, frequently topping rankings, including first place in October 2024 and June 2025 amid his singles push and World Heavyweight Championship reign. Action figures of Jey Uso, produced by since 2011, include detailed Series collectibles from his tag team days to his 2025 "Main Event" editions, complete with interchangeable accessories like championship belts and entrance gear. Collaborations extend to Pop! figures, such as the 2023 Bloodline-themed two-pack with in black-and-red attire, celebrating WWE's 60th anniversary and his faction loyalty. Apparel partnerships with Fanatics have further expanded his line, offering hoodies, hats, and limited-edition tees tied to events like , emphasizing his and solo persona.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Jey Uso, born Joshua Samuel Fatu, married his high school sweetheart Takecia Travis on January 8, 2015, after dating for over a decade. The couple, who met while attending in , share a close partnership centered on family life. Travis, originally from Pensacola, supports Uso's wrestling career while maintaining a low public profile as a homemaker. Together, they have two sons: Jaciyah Fatu, born in 2006, and Jeyce Fatu, born in 2012. Uso frequently expresses pride in his role as a father, occasionally posting rare glimpses of moments on social media, such as holiday celebrations or everyday activities with his children, while generally keeping their lives private to shield them from public scrutiny. These shares highlight his dedication to balancing his demanding profession with domestic responsibilities. Uso shares an unbreakable bond with his identical twin brother, (Jonathan Solofa Fatu), rooted in their shared upbringing and Samoan heritage. Despite on-screen rivalries and professional separations in storylines, the brothers maintain a strong personal relationship, often reuniting for family events and supporting each other publicly. In interviews, they emphasize their closeness, with Jimmy describing Jey as "super close" and integral to their twin dynamic. As part of the prominent Anoa'i family—a Samoan wrestling dynasty—Uso actively participates in extended family gatherings, including reunions that celebrate their cultural roots and legacy. These events reinforce familial ties among relatives like cousins and The Rock, fostering traditions such as Samoan pride discussions and communal celebrations. Uso's involvement underscores the importance of these bonds beyond his career.

Health and philanthropy

Jey Uso has faced several significant injuries throughout his wrestling career, including a injury in April 2015 that required and sidelined him for approximately six months, forcing into a temporary hiatus. During his time as part of The Bloodline storyline in 2022, Uso sustained a possible broken hand in the at , though he continued performing without extended absence. Uso maintains a rigorous wellness routine rooted in Samoan cultural practices, such as traditional and family-oriented fitness sessions that emphasize resilience and discipline, often shared through vlogs and interviews. He has discussed the stress of the pro wrestling lifestyle, describing it as a "hard life" involving long drives, early flights, dieting, travel, and being away from home for 300 days a year with no off-season, likening it to a circus. In philanthropy, Uso has actively participated in WWE's partnership with Make-A-Wish, granting wishes to children since at least 2015, including personalized meet-and-greets and experiences like backstage tours. Notable examples include granting wishes to 10-year-old Nathan in Providence in 2024 and to teens Edna and on World Wish Day that same year, where he engaged in uplifting interactions to bring joy to young fans facing serious illnesses. His involvement continued into 2025 with additional grants, such as one in May before a Raw event. He has also supported broader Polynesian community initiatives through family efforts, reflecting his heritage's emphasis on communal giving.

Championships and accomplishments

World championships

Jey Uso secured his first world championship by defeating to win the World Heavyweight Championship on April 19, 2025, during Night 1 of 41 at in , . The match ended with Uso forcing to submit via a modified figure-four , capping a high-stakes encounter built on months of tension. This triumph followed Uso's victory in the 2025 Men's earlier that year, where he outlasted 29 other competitors to earn the championship opportunity and solidify his transition to main-event singles competition. Uso's subsequent , which spanned 51 days, featured pivotal defenses that highlighted his adaptability and in-ring prowess as a solo competitor. The championship victory held profound historical significance, representing the first solo world title win for any member of the Anoa'i family under the Uso moniker and shattering the legacy that had defined Jey and his brother Jimmy's careers since their debut. Prior to this, the Usos had amassed a record eight Championship reigns but had never captured individual world gold, making Uso's achievement a in wrestling's most prominent Samoan dynasty. Uso dropped the World Heavyweight Championship back to in a rematch on the June 9, 2025, edition of Raw, ending his reign in a brutal encounter that saw reclaim the belt via sleeper hold submission after a 25-minute war. Later that year, following the title's vacancy on October 20, 2025, due to injury angles involving the champion, Uso re-entered the title picture by winning a qualifier but fell short in his pursuit, losing to for the vacant championship on November 1, 2025, at .

Tag team titles

Jey Uso's tag team championship accomplishments are predominantly tied to his partnership with his twin brother Jimmy Uso as The Usos, forming one of the most successful duos in WWE history. Together, they captured the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship once in 2010 during their developmental tenure, marking their early success as a unit. In WWE's main roster, The Usos became eight-time tag team champions, holding the Raw Tag Team Championship three times (with their third reign in 2022 unifying the titles), and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship five times between 2017 and 2023. These reigns included high-profile victories, such as defeating The New Day to initiate their record-setting fifth SmackDown Tag Team Championship run in August 2021, which they defended successfully against rivals like RK-Bro and The Street Profits amid intense feuds from 2017 to 2019. The Usos' partnership also produced two notable Undisputed Tag Team Championship reigns: their fifth SmackDown title win in 2021, which extended into an undisputed status after defeating on May 20, 2022, and a partial reign in 2023 following a loss, where they reclaimed the SmackDown titles in May before dropping them in August. A pivotal moment came at in 2015, where The Usos competed in a fatal four-way match for the Tag Team Championship, contributing to the unification and elevation of the division's prestige, though they fell short of victory. In a brief departure from his brother, Jey Uso teamed with to win the Undisputed on October 7, 2023, at , defeating in a high-stakes match. This 9-day reign ended on October 16, 2023, on Raw, when they lost to and , but it highlighted Uso's versatility in tag competition. hold several records as a team, including the longest single SmackDown reign at 622 days from 2021 to 2023, surpassing previous benchmarks set by The New Day. They also boast the most combined days as SmackDown Champions at over 1,000 days across their reigns and are recognized for the most title wins as a consistent two-man unit in history, with 8 reigns alongside Jimmy.
PartnerTitleReignsNotable Details
1 (2010)Early developmental success; reign lasted 82 days.
Raw Tag Team Championship3 (2022)Third reign: 316 days as part of Undisputed.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship5 (2017 (2), 2019, 2020, 2021–2023)Longest single reign: 622 days; multiple defenses vs. The New Day.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship2 (2021–2023 partial)Unified status from 2022; 2023 reign: ~70 days.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship1 (2023)9-day reign; won at Fastlane.

Individual honors and awards

Jey Uso has earned several individual accolades throughout his career, highlighting his prowess in high-stakes and fan-voted recognitions. In 2021, he won the Memorial during the go-home episode of SmackDown on April 9, outlasting 21 other competitors to claim the victory as the sole survivor. This triumph marked a significant personal milestone, showcasing his endurance and athleticism in a match dedicated to the legacy of . Uso's contributions to tag team wrestling have also been honored through the Slammy Awards, WWE's annual fan-voted ceremony. Alongside his brother Jimmy, they were named Tag Team of the Year in both and , recognizing their dynamic performances and championship success as . The win celebrated their high-energy style and multiple title defenses, while the award highlighted their continued dominance in the division. In 2023, Uso received further acclaim as the Breakout Superstar of the Year at the , reflecting his transition to singles competition and rising popularity following his storyline departure from The Bloodline. On September 23, 2024, Uso won the Intercontinental Championship by defeating Bron Breakker on Raw, marking his first singles title outside of battle royals. He held the title for 28 days until losing it to Breakker on October 21, 2024, due to interference from The Bloodline members. On February 1, 2025, Uso achieved one of the most prestigious individual honors in professional wrestling by winning the Men's Royal Rumble match, securing a world title opportunity at WrestleMania 41. Entering later in the bout, he eliminated several top competitors, including John Cena as the final elimination to claim the victory after over 30 participants. This win solidified his status as a main event contender and paid homage to his Anoa'i family legacy. Following his 2025 achievements, including the Royal Rumble win and World Heavyweight Championship reign, discussions around Uso's potential induction into the WWE Hall of Fame have intensified, often tied to the storied history of his wrestling dynasty, including relatives like his father Rikishi, who was inducted in 2015.

References

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