Jey Uso clinched a spot in the King of the Ring semifinals on 12 Jun 2026, only to see the YouTube highlight rack up over 70,000 dislikes as fans voice their frustration with his continued push.
What happened on SmackDown?
On the 12 June episode of SmackDown, the former World Heavyweight Champion outlasted fan favorites LA Knight, Finn Balor and Royce Keys in a rapid‑fire elimination match. By pinning each opponent, Uso secured his ticket to the final four, where he will meet Raw newcomer Je’Von Evans. The winner of that bout moves on to face the victor of Oba Femi vs. Dominik Mysterio at the Night of Champions King of the Ring final on 27 Jun.
How are fans reacting?
Within minutes of the match clip being uploaded, the video was bombarded with dislikes, surpassing 70,000 at the time of writing. This isn’t the first time a Uso victory has drawn such backlash; similar dislike spikes occurred after his 30‑second win over Austin Theory in March 2025 and after a battle‑royal triumph last fall. The pattern suggests a growing resentment toward what many perceive as forced elevation.
Why the backlash matters for Jey Uso
Uso’s rise mirrors past fan pushbacks against heavily promoted babyfaces like Roman Reigns and John Cena. However, unlike those legends, Uso’s résumé includes only a single World Heavyweight title—a 51‑day reign after beating Gunther at WrestleMania 41 in 2025. That brief run, coupled with a quick return to the tag division and a secondary role in The Bloodline, fuels the perception that WWE is over‑investing in him at the expense of other talent.
What’s next for the tournament?
The semifinals set for 27 Jun will determine who faces the winner of Oba Femi vs. Dominik Mysterio. If Uso defeats Je’Von Evans, he could earn a main‑event singles spot at Night of Champions, reigniting the debate over his placement on the card. Meanwhile, WWE’s ratings on Monday Night Raw have dipped to their lowest since the brand’s Netflix debut in January 2025, hinting that fan fatigue may be translating into viewership numbers.
How might WWE respond?
WWE could temper the Bloodline storyline, giving under‑utilized stars more screen time to appease the vocal segment of the audience. Alternatively, they might double down on the narrative, betting that sustained exposure will eventually win over skeptics. Either path will shape Uso’s trajectory in the coming weeks, as the King of the Ring stakes grow higher.