Saturday night, the Usos defended the World Tag Team titles against Austin Theory and Bronson Reed at a WWE live event in Lubbock, Texas. But before Jimmy and Jey could “run it back” with another round of yeeting, they were attacked by Reed and Theory.
The boos were loud and instant — you can hear it clearly in the video. That crowd was hot because they came to party.
And it’s hard to blame them. According to Cagematch.net,
it was WWE’s first show in Lubbock since 2019. Fans wanted the full Raw experience, and the heels — doing their job — took that moment away.
At Survivor Series in San Diego, I watched Jey “run it back” during the men’s WarGames match. While I thought it was silly, and others in the press box weren’t impressed either, the 40,000-plus inside Petco Park were loving every second.
Online, though, the backlash against Jey keeps growing. The common refrain: he can’t wrestle — or isn’t very good — and he’s nothing more than an entrance and a catchphrase.
Sadly, those who lean on that critique miss what pro wrestling has always been about: personality, charisma, storytelling, and the ability to market all three. Wrestlers and their matches only need to satisfy a crowd on a given night, not chase five-star validation from detached observers who cite technical precision as the barometer for greatness.
As someone who once worked as a supervisor in guest relations for a popular business, I know that such establishments monitor online discourse and make appropriate adjustments to address specific concerns.
But when business is booming and customers are happy, companies don’t pivot because a vocal minority demands it. Ultimately, fans who show up to the events are louder than the voices online, shouting down critics with their yeeting and merch purchases. WWE even named Uso one of its “Top-Selling Superstars of 2025.”
Should that discourage you from registering your feelings? No. When the time comes, and Uso’s popularity dips, WWE will likely turn those complaints into the foundation of a future heel run. Unlike most industries, where antagonizing customers is risky, in wrestling, it’s often profitable, especially when a heel catches fire.
So, yes, continue to lobby your complaints. Just don’t expect much to change until the folks in the arena and those buying merch catch up with you.
