For years, Jey Uso had been a part of one of the most dominant tag teams in WWE history. Alongside his twin brother, Jimmy, they formed the Usos a pair synonymous with high-flying thrills, devastating superkicks, and an undeniable connection to their Samoan heritage. The Usos were integral to the tag team division, holding multiple championships and thrilling fans around the world. But deep within Jey, a question had always lingered.Could he succeed alone?

The Turning Point: A Family’s Divide

It all began in late 2020 when Jey Uso found himself thrust into an unexpected feud with Roman Reigns, his own cousin. At the time, Reigns had become the “Tribal Chief” of the Anoa’i family, and his newfound ruthlessness cast a long shadow over everyone in the family, including Jey.

Jey recalls that fateful moment with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. “I never thought I’d be in the ring with Roman like that. He’s family, but when he became ‘The Tribal Chief, everything changed,” Jey said in an interview. “He started demanding respect, and it wasn’t just a gimmick. It was real. And it wasn’t easy for me to deal with.”

That storyline, which began as a tag team rivalry, quickly morphed into something far more personal. Roman’s manipulative tactics pushed Jey into uncomfortable positions. In one of the most harrowing moments, Jey was forced to fall in line as Roman’s right-hand man, taking orders and even enduring physical punishment to prove his loyalty to the “Head of the Table.”

Despite the mental and emotional toll, something changed within Jey. The storyline tested him in ways he hadn’t anticipated. What was supposed to be a brief feud became a journey of self-discovery. Through it all, Jey began to realize that he had the potential to stand on his own, outside of the shadow of both his brother and his cousin.

The Breakthrough: Wrestling With His Identity

In the aftermath of his turbulent relationship with Roman, Jey’s path toward becoming a singles star was set. But making it to WrestleMania on his own wasn’t going to be an easy task. He wasn’t just overcoming the weight of family expectations; he was also battling the established reputation of the Usos as a tag team staple.

“You don’t just turn your back on your history overnight. The Usos were everything to me,” Jey admits. “But I knew that I had to prove to myself that I could do it without anyone else. The question became: ‘What would Jey Uso as a singles star look like?’ And more importantly, would I have the guts to pull it off?”

Jey’s journey toward WrestleMania took several twists and turns. His first test came at the Royal Rumble 2021, where he was a surprise entrant. It wasn’t the victory that mattered most, but the way Jey held his ground, going toe-to-toe with some of WWE’s most storied competitors. Fans began to take notice of his resilience, and even Roman couldn’t ignore his cousin’s growing individualism.

“I saw something in Jey I hadn’t seen before,” Roman Reigns confessed during a backstage interview in the build-up to WrestleMania. “Jey isn’t just the guy you pair up with your brother and call it a day. He’s got the heart of a champion. And he’s proving it to everyone, including me.”

The real breakthrough, however, came when Jey secured a high-profile victory at Elimination Chamber 2021. With the WWE Universe firmly behind him, Jey managed to defeat a slew of top competitors, including Kevin Owens and Cesaro. The victory was a signal to the world: Jey Uso was no longer just a tag team wrestler; he was a force to be reckoned with on his own.

The Road to WrestleMania

As WrestleMania 37 loomed on the horizon, Jey Uso found himself in a pivotal position. With Roman Reigns cementing his dominance as Universal Champion, many believed it would be Roman versus Edge in the main event. However, Jey had earned a place in the discussion. It wasn’t just a matter of fighting for a title; Jey had grown beyond his family’s shadow and emerged as a star in his own right.

In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania, Jey’s rivalries intensified. He clashed with some of WWE’s biggest names, including Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, and Seth Rollins. Each match further solidified his standing as a top contender, but more than that, it showcased a side of Jey that fans hadn’t seen before: raw emotion and determination.

“I was always part of something bigger,” Jey shared, reflecting on his journey. “But I had to do it for me. For Jey Uso. Not for Roman, not for Jimmy for me.”

And so, when the spotlight shone brightest at WrestleMania 37, Jey Uso had earned his place among the elite. The match was a hard-fought battle, full of drama and high stakes, but Jey didn’t back down. Even when faced with incredible odds, he fought not just for a title, but for his own legacy.

The moment Jey Uso stood victorious, his hand raised high in the air, was nothing short of symbolic. It was a testament to his resilience, his growth, and his unwavering commitment to his craft.

A Star Born

As the dust settled and the crowd roared, Jey Uso’s journey from a tag team wrestler to a singles star was complete. His WrestleMania moment wasn’t just a victory in the ring; it was a statement to the world that Jey Uso was no longer the second half of a duo. He was a star in his own right, a force to be reckoned with.

“WrestleMania wasn’t just about the win,” Jey said, eyes gleaming with pride. “It was about stepping into the future. I’ve been telling myself for years, ‘It’s your time.’ I finally believed it. I proved it.”

Jey Uso may have started in the shadows, but by the time the final bell rang at WrestleMania, he had emerged as one of the most undeniable singles stars in WWE. The Usos’ legacy would always be a part of him, but Jey Uso’s triumph proved that, sometimes, the brightest stars shine when they finally break free from the past.