The WWE Unreal series on Netflix has exposed the original creative direction for the 2025 Mens Royal Rumble matchand it wasnt Jey Uso at the top of the list. Backstage footage showed that CM Punk and John Cena were the two names most seriously considered to win the match before WWE made a dramatic pivot to Jey.
During a creative meeting captured in the docuseries, Paul Triple H Levesque asked the room who should win the Rumble. The immediate responses? Cena and Punk. One voice laid out the case for Cena based on his retirement arc.
Despite those pitches, Jey Uso got the nod. Michael Hayes, speaking on the sudden shift, said WWE had to rethink the playbook once Jey started gaining real fan traction.
The footage confirms that Jey Uso wasnt WWEs original choicebut he became undeniable as his stock surged with the fans. What was originally set up to be a legacy win for Cena or a major moment for Punk ultimately became a breakthrough for one of WWEs most unexpectedly red-hot stars.
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What do you thinkdid WWE make the right call with Jey Uso winning the 2025 Royal Rumble? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
