Jey Uso believes the life he’s living as a wrestler now is a far easier existence than the one endured by the generations that came before him. While joining Cody Rhodes on a new episode of What Do You Wanna Talk About?, the World Tag Team Champion discussed how meaningful it is to have his father, Rikishi, so supportive of his career, noting that becoming a wrestler has given him a greater level of appreciation for the hardships his family faced.
Uso was open about the differences between eras, acknowledging that while the industry is still physically demanding, the current landscape is an “easier hustle” than the road his father traveled.
“Just being a wrestler now, and I know today it’s an easier hustle,” Uso said. “And I’m not saying that — this sh*t’s still hard. Being a wrestler, this life is hard. I think when my dad was coming up though, man, he went through the wringer. He’s still alive today. He’s healthy. I know like a lot of people, they’re up next. Everyone’s getting older. Our parents are getting older. We’re getting older, you know. My dad is our biggest fan, though. I cannot lie about that.”
Navigating A New Hustle
Rhodes agreed that certain aspects of wrestling are indeed easier today, specifically citing improved pay and a reduced physical toll from nightly bumps. However, the “American Nightmare” pointed out that it has been replaced by new obligations that didn’t exist in previous eras.
“It’s certainly not the bumping each night and the lighter envelopes, because the money and economy was different for wrestling then,” Rhodes said. “But I mean, I watch you walk in here with someone from talent relations telling you what you need to do next and where you need to go. And what was house shows has been replaced by a lot of other things that are equal in an opportunity standpoint. There’s something of value to them. There’s something special. It’s just different. Like, we’re navigating a new hustle.”
Uso and his twin brother Jimmy are currently enjoying a run as the World Tag Team Champions in WWE. They reunited as a team following Jey’s successful singles run in 2025, which included a reign as the World Heavyweight Champion.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit What Do You Wanna Talk About? with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
