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Jey Uso Returns On WWE Smackdown To Defend Tag Team Titles, Talks With Sami Zayn

By John Canton • Published 11th February 2023
jey uso smackdown sami zayn

Jey Uso made a triumphant return on WWE Smackdown to defend the Tag Team Titles while also having a private moment with Sami Zayn.

Going into the February 10th edition of WWE Smackdown from the Mohegan Sun Arean in Uncasville, CT, there were questions about whether Jey Uso would appear on the show. Jey wasn’t on last week’s Smackdown episode, which didn’t make the “Tribal Chief” Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns happy as the leader of The Bloodline.

Jimmy Uso was nervously calling his brother Jey in the first hour of Smackdown wondering if he would show up. Just when it looked like Jimmy was going to have to defend the Smackdown Tag Team Titles against Braun Strowman & Ricochet, Jey showed up in the crowd. Jey walked down to the ring and hugged his brother.

It should be noted also that Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa were not on Smackdown this week although the “Special Counsel” Paul Heyman was there.

The Usos had a terrific match against Braun Strowman & Ricochet that featured a lot of back-and-forth action. Jey was huge for his team because when Strowman went for a running tackle on the floor, Jey moved and Strowman went crashing onto the commentary table. Jey also made a blind tag, then Ricochet knocked Jimmy down and Ricochet hit a Shooting Star Press. However, when Ricochet landed on his back, Jey Uso jumped off another turnbuckle on Ricochet for the pinfall win.

In a backstage segment after that, Jey assured his brother Jimmy that he would always have his back.

Jey Uso was shown walking in the backstage area near some WWE trucks when Sami Zayn popped up to say hello. From our Smackdown review:

Sami Zayn welcomed Jey back and said that what Jey did at the Royal Rumble meant the world to him. Zayn said that we’re eight days away from that man (Roman) going down and he knows it is something that Jey wanted to see in the past. Zayn told Jey that he didn’t have to go down with the ship. Zayn said that he doesn’t know when they can talk like this again, but he wants Jey to know: “I acknowledge you.” Sami put up his fist, Jey told him to get out of here, Sami said he is leaving and Jey touched the fist. The fans popped for that leading to a break.

In the final segment on Smackdown, Paul Heyman approached Jimmy Uso in the locker room area. Heyman told Jimmy that Roman needs The Usos to stay home for next week’s show in Montreal. Heyman said sometimes you see things on TV that you don’t see when you’re here live. That was likely a reference to Reigns watching Smackdown and not liking the sight of Jey Uso talking to Sami Zayn.

Next week’s Smackdown takes place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada just one night before Elimination Chamber also in Montreal. It is possible that Jimmy Uso may not be able to be at either show due to his history of multiple DUIs on his record because it can be tough to get into Canada with a record like that. Jey Uso did appear at WWE shows in Canada last year, so he should be fine to be there next week if needed.