Jey Uso’s reign as World Heavyweight Champion may have only lasted 51 days, but that wasn’t a shock to WWE behind the scenes—it was the plan from day one.

According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the title change at WrestleMania 41 was designed as a short-term move to build toward a bigger match for WWE’s summer schedule.

“When the decision was made to put the title on Uso, it had already been decided it would be short reign and that he would lose it back to Gunther.”

The next big step is already lined up: GUNTHER will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12 in Atlanta, Georgia. That match is expected to serve as Goldberg’s official retirement bout—and WWE’s strategic answer to AEW’s All In: Texas, which airs the same night.

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“I’m not sure if the Raw in Phoenix was always the day but it was to be before the Goldberg retirement match, which was planned for going head-to-head with All In Texas on 7/12,” the report added.

Though Jey Uso’s title run was short, it played a major role in WWE’s larger creative direction—elevating Uso as a main event singles star and setting up a massive draw in GUNTHER vs. Goldberg.

Do you think WWE made the right call with Jey’s short reign? Is GUNTHER vs. Goldberg a match you’re tuning in for? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know.

Tags: Jey Uso

Steve Carrier is the founder of Ringside News and has been reporting on pro wrestling since 1997. His stories have been featured on TMZ, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and more.

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