Will Jey Uso Finally Break Through as a Top Singles Star at WrestleMania 41?

It’s a big question ahead of the two-night spectacle that is WrestleMania 41 later this month. Uso is aiming to take the World Heavyweight Championship off Gunther in what will be a highly-anticipated match.

The feud between the two was a slow burn. That was, until a couple of weeks ago when Gunther systematically destroyed brother Jimmy — rendering him to a bloody pulp as Jey watched in horror as he was zip-tied to the ropes.

Jey and Jimmy are considered to be one of the most decorated tag teams in the history of WWE. Wanting to go the singles route, Jey has become “Main Event” Jey Uso — and he is arguably the most ‘over’ babyface in the company. The ‘Yeet’ chant has become a staple for all live events, and there’s not another performer who elicits the sort of pop he gets as soon as his music plays.

Yet, he’s not fully established himself as someone able to carry a major belt. This is where the match between himself and Gunther gets interesting. Gunther is one of the best workers in the company, and his old school style of wrestling is very refreshing in an age where gymnastics are prioritized over chops and holds (especially for some other promotions).

Jey’s main claim to fame was holding the IC belt until it was taken off him via the company’s biggest rising star, Bron Breakker.

Gunther’s path toward one day becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion is visible. As Jey approaches age 40, the ‘Yeet’ gimmick could get a bit stale if he’s buried in this match. Should Gunther drop the belt, his trajectory still remains sky-high.

At this point, it almost is essential for Jey to win the belt in order to fully maximize the remainder of his upside as a solo performer. The build towards this seems straightforward — as an unintentional in-ring botch led to a storyline where he’s become unsure of himself, and whether he could take down Gunther.

It all culminated in a very serious promo this past Monday on RAW, where Jey emotionally faced off with Gunther and admitted that he’s no longer afraid of him given the fact his brother has been hospitalized and that his family’s honor is now on the line.

It was easily the best promo Jey has cut in recent memory, and it has reenergized this feud into one that many want to see concluded in a few weeks during WWE’s biggest show of the year.