Lyon France. Jey Uso makes his entrance. 11,000 + French people begin screaming “YEET” in rhythm, hard enough to make LDLC Arena absolutely tremble. It’s been an unbelievable 7 months leading to this moment, but I'm gonna run back just a little further.
Jey Uso is one of the reasons I returned to the world of wrestling after more than a 20-year hiatus. Specifically, it was the Sami Zayn/Uso story line. I wasn’t watching wrestling at all and hadn’t been since Mick Foley retired in the early 2000’s (Mick Foley is a chapter unto himself). I was doom scrolling through Tik Tok and came across a little snippet of Sami Zayn feeling a little “UCEY” and it caught my attention. It was lighthearted and fun and gave me serious “Rock N Sock Connection” (The team of Mankind & The Rock) vibes. At that point the algorithm algorithmed and my feed became a tsunami of Bloodline, Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, and the Usos’. At this time my youngest daughter had seen a live wrestling event by accident (my friend’s band was opening for a wrestling match) and she became enamored with some of the female wrestlers in the match and was interested in watching some professional wrestling. We watched the Royal Rumble and it was over. Now I have a great connection with my daughter unique from her sisters, and another avenue of entertainment in my life.
YEET
The Bloodline had essentially disbanded, Cody Rhodes was on his way to “Finishing His Story,” and in this process Cody and Jey had become a tag team. To great crowd response, at a PLE called “Fast Lane,” Cody and Jey become tag team champions. Their tag match was the first match of the night and would be hours before the whole event was over. After Cody and Jey’s match was over, they began to celebrate.
*I am not promoting, condoning, or encouraging drunkenness. Just discussing the circumstances that took place in the event. *
As the rest of the matches for the evening continued Jey and Cody ended up getting drunk and weren’t fully prepared for the fact they were going to have a press conference at the end of the night. As they walked in and sat down with their newly won belts it was very clear they did not have their full faculties. Especially Jey. Over the course of the interview, and at various volumes, Jey declared “YEET.” 16 times. It got to the point that at the end of the interview the press and media started “Yeeting” back at Jey. When the interview ended Cody and Jey stood up, then Cody immediately sat back down, and asked them to lower the music. Cody made a stern face, leaned in close to the microphone, and then declared “YEET” himself. He clapped and then ended it. I think Cody’s single YEET cemented it.
A moment of drunken shenanigans gained everyone’s attention. The disciples had a similar experience.
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”” - Acts 2:1-13
The Spirit of God descends, a room full of people from various parts of the world all begin speaking and hearing various languages, and the observer's explanation was that they were drunk. They were at a spiritual festival, and they thought it more likely that thousands of people were drunk than that God might actually be moving in a way they weren’t familiar with. God’s people being surprised by God actually moving is always a telling mark about where we stand with Him. The situation didn’t stop there though.
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!” - Acts 2:14-15
Peter addresses the crowd and says they aren’t drunk....because it’s 9am. Not because they are holy. Not because they are there for spiritual reasons. But because it’s 9am. This is the most Peter response possible. Was it just him being brash? Maybe. Was it him starting off with humor to gain their full attention? Maybe. Was it 100%a Peter response either way? Absolutely. Sometimes it takes a moment of humor and levity to truly gain someone’s attention.
Realistically I didn’t see Jey Uso as much more than a Roman Reigns minion until Sami Zayn started being humorous with him. Then when this moment happened after the tag championship, it garnered some genuine attention. It’s the same reason why sometimes comedians make the best truth tellers.
The important thing is that when you have a moment of attention, is that you genuinely seize it.
The day after the Fast Lane event was Monday Night Raw, and the first time we see Jey Uso en route to the ring with Cody Rhodes, Jey lets out two YEETS. When he makes it out to ring to a standing ovation, he gets the whole crowd bouncing their arms. This time when he “YEETS in the ring, the entire crowd “YEETS” right back at them. A moment had been created, and Jey capitalized on it. Much like “Austin 3:16” was born out of a single moment on the mic, Jey had created a moment that garnered people’s attention and then he capitalized on it. It became his official catchphrase. It became a bestseller in merch for shirts and apparel. He made the most of the opportunity. That’s something scripture teaches us as well.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:15-16
The days are evil. Things aren't guaranteed. The world is corrupt. Time is limited. All of these are reasons to make each moment count, and Peter did this as well when the opportunity was presented to him in Acts 2. Peter goes from cracking a joke about it only being 9am to a massive spiritual uppercut. He started all the way with an Old Testament prophecy from Joel, through the current spiritual condition of mankind, to how God was brining redemption through Jesus. I’m gonna share Peter’s message, but if you need a TLDR option, jump to verses 40 and 41 of Acts 2.
“15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Acts 2:15-41.
Peter had everyone’s attention and took the moment to lay out the full girth of the Gospel leading to 3,000 people coming to Christ at once. Not only did it lead to that instant surge of belief and expansion, but it ushered in the peak of what the church could be, the goal, and standard we are still shooting for every day.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” - Acts 2:42-47
Wrestling changed with the capitalization of an unexpected moment, and so did the church.
NO YEET
As quickly as Jey’s rise took off with the YEET phenomenon, it was temporarily halted. YEET merch was no longer available online. Jey’s YEET shirt was blurred in recent performances. He was no longer stating the phrase publicly, even though the crowd was still calling for it.
Jey had been silenced. An indie pro wrestler named Kasey Huffman had trademarked the single word YEET in relationship to professional wrestling a full 2 years before Jey had made it part of his persona.
I haven’t heard much spoken about the time of the silence of the “YEET,” most likely due to pending legal and financial dealings, but I imagine that was an incredibly discouraging time for Jey. To finally gain independent traction. To not be attached to a stable, or a brother. To be making your way in finally living out fully to your potential as an individual in your field, and them bam. Shut down. Told that the one thing that has made you thrive is no longer to be on your lips, displayed, or shared with others. That has to be a hard place to be. It’s a place and scenario the disciples saw full well shortly after the church took off in Acts 2.
“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.” - Acts 4:1-3
Religious leaders saw the Spirit of God moving and wanted it shut down.
It didn’t stop the movement though.
“But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.” - Acts 4:4
The religious leaders wouldn’t let it go though. They wanted this shut down. They felt like they had a claim, copyright, or trademark on the truth, and they viewed that the disciples were in violation against it.
“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” - Acts 4:18
To my understanding, legally Kasey Huffman actually did legally own the trademark on “YEET,” which meant he had the right to tell Jey he wasn’t allowed to use it, but neither the Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin, or any religious leader then or now has more authority over the truth of God than Jesus. And the disciples were not going to accept this unauthorized censorship.
“But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” - Acts 4:19-20
They would be released, then arrested, freed from jail by an angel, and then brought back before the religious leaders again, all in attempts to silence them.
“The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! - Acts 5:27-29
Being told to be silent wouldn’t stop the disciples, and even with opposition. The movement of Christ continued to grow.
Jey was silenced, but the popularity of the “YEET” kept growing with the people. The WWE would eventually secure the rights to use YEET in merchandising and marketing, and the response has been nothing but growth since. On Memorial Day, Monday May 27th, 2024, the top selling shirts on the WWE shop were:
#1 Jey Uso – Yeet
#2 Roman Reigns – Family Above All
#3 Randy Orton – Strike First
#4 Stone Cold – 3:16
#5 The Rock – Final Boss
#6 CM Punk – Return
#7 Liv Morgan – Revenge Tour
#8 Cody Rhodes – Camo
#9 Cody Rhodes – Fire Logo
#10 Jey Uso – Yeet White
7 months after the birth of the YEET, Jey Uso is outselling the man who spent over 1,000 days as champion. He’s outselling Orton and Punk both veteran performers still showing up. He’s outselling Cody who is not only the champion of the WWE, but the face of WWE 2k24. He’s also outselling the newly belted women’s champion. Jey even made the top 10 TWICE!!!
He was even able to help further his brother Jimmy’s career by giving him the angle of “NO YEET” as they faced off against each other. Jimmy has yet to find his own angle to truly propel him as well as Jey, but Jey still used the ability that he had to push his brother as far as he could. Now he’s doing a crowd build up “YEET” where he holds his hands in the air leaving everyone in anticipation, then everyone yells out the “YEET” as he drops them. Jey didn’t just stop at Jimmy but he’s using his momentum to build others up especially in the live shows. He will invite people to the ring or in the ring to have the honor of leading the “YEET” which further propels those people in the crowds' eyes. Samantha Irvin the fierce ring announcer, Damian Priest the champion, The Man Becky Lynch, Jessika Carr the first full time female WWE referee. All of these folks he’s had lead the “YEET.” He uses what he has to build others up. That is also exactly what we are called to do.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” - Galatians 5:13
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” - Hebrews 10:24
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:1
Part of being a believer, and part of being in relationship with others is that we aren’t in this alone. We are meant to make each other stronger. That means when one of us prospers, it should build a foundation for someone else to prosper as well. That’s why the church prospered the way it did in Acts 2:42-47. Because we are better when we are looking out for our own brothers and spiritual bloodline.
To put a 3 count on this essay, here’s a replay on what we can learn from Main Event and the disciple’s experience:
*Be on the lookout for when moments become opportunities.
*Make the most out of the opportunities that you are given.
*Don’t allow yourself to be silenced when you have something to say.
*If you have opportunity to give others opportunities, do it.
I hope you have been encouraged, and as Cody said to Jey as he left for Smackdown
“Until We YEET Again”