Jey Uso recently returned to WWE on the Smackdown brand. He’ll team with his brother Jimmy next week in a match against the Street Profits. The 35-year-old recently spoke with Yahoo Sports about the history of Samoans in wrestling.
“I think the Samoan people have made wrestling,” Jey Uso said. “Pro wrestling is right down our alley, we’re just physical people, strong, quick. I feel like we were just made to do this. Being a part of it now and seeing all of the blood that has been laid before me, the whole family tree, it’s very humbling and I’m so proud I am part of this.”
Jimmy and Jey Uso are both from the Fatu side of the Anoa’i family dynasty in wrestling. The Tonga Kid/Tama/Sam Fatu is their Uncle, as was Umaga, and MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu is their cousin.
“As I’m a part of the business now and as a man, you see Peter Maivia rocking the traditional Samoan tattoo, known as the Pe’a, right there, my mind is already blown because at that time they probably looked at him like he was crazy,” Uso continued. “That was telling me that he wasn’t afraid to show people who he was. The heritage, being proud of who he was. The tattoos, that’s our thing, we wear the markings on the skin to show the world who we are, what we are and how we are.”
Jey Uso on his father Rikishi and the Rock
Uso would continue to say that his father Rikishi and the Rock helped to break stereotypes in wrestling while still honoring their heritage.
“The cool thing is that my dad was part of those stereotypes when he was with the Headshrinkers,” Uso said. “When my dad gets with Too Cool and dyes his hair blonde, now he’s adding layers to his character. Now he starts dancing, now he’s got these hip-hop guys with him. That was a feel good moment. Same thing with The Rock. He was so witty and when he started cutting those promos, the way he talked and looked, you wanted to be around him.”
“These guys gave off great energy and that’s what Samoan people are, period. We’re happy people. We’re very, very family oriented. I think that’s what resonated with people and it started to bleed through the screen, to the point where people started to realize that these were fun, cool dudes.”
