Jey Uso’s triumph in the 30-man over-the-top rope contest was the most contentious of the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble’s startling moments. Some supporters expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, while many others rejoiced in the surprising victory. Jim Cornette, a wrestling icon and vocal critic, has now joined the discussion to share his thoughts on why Jey Uso’s victory has become such a contentious issue.
Cornette’s Take on the Backlash
Never one to back down from controversy, Jim Cornette recently spoke on his podcast about the fan frenzy around Jey Uso’s triumph. Cornette claims that a number of things, such as Jey’s pre-event booking, his status as a main event star, and WWE’s treatment of other strong competitors, are to blame for the criticism.
“Look, Jey Uso is talented—no doubt about it,” Cornette said. “But you’re telling me he’s the guy WWE wants headlining WrestleMania? Ahead of Cody Rhodes, ahead of Gunther, ahead of guys who have been positioned as the next top stars? That’s why people are pissed.”
Fan Divisions: A Deserving Winner or a Forced Push?
Since Jey Uso left The Bloodline and started competing as a singles fighter, many WWE fans have become interested in his story. He has become one of the company’s most adored figures thanks to his charm, underdog tale, and ability to connect with the crowd. Cornette contends, however, that WWE might have hurried Jey into a role that isn’t quite appropriate.
“The fans like Jey—he’s over. But being ‘over’ and being the guy to main-event WrestleMania are two different things,” Cornette continued. “You have fans who wanted to see Cody Rhodes finally get his redemption against Roman Reigns, and then you have Gunther, who has been booked as an unstoppable machine. Jey winning threw a wrench into that.”
The Impact on WrestleMania 41
The stage is now set for a potential matchup with Roman Reigns as Jey Uso’s victory guarantees him a championship bout at WrestleMania 41. Some fans believe WWE lost out on a more interesting tale with longer-term ramifications, while others are thrilled by the prospect of Jey ultimately overthrowing the Tribal Chief.
Cornette also pointed out the power of social media in shaping narratives. “Twenty years ago, people might have grumbled, but they’d still buy their ticket and tune in. Now, if a group of fans doesn’t like something, they take to Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit, and suddenly it’s the biggest controversy in the world.”
Conclusion: Is the Outrage Justified?
Jey Uso’s triumph in the Royal Rumble has undoubtedly set the setting for a high-stakes WrestleMania, regardless of whether the outrage is warranted or simply an illustration of the erratic character of WWE fanbase. Now, WWE needs to seize the opportunity and demonstrate that Jey deserves the position.
Supporters as well as opponents can argue about Jim Cornette’s interpretation. Is Jey Uso prepared to take center stage? Or did WWE err by giving him more prominence than other well-known celebrities? All the answers will be revealed on the path to WrestleMania 41.