Rikishi has discussed the WrestleMania 40 match that saw his sons go to war.
For the first time in 15 years, a brother vs. brother match took place on The Grandest Stage as Jimmy and Jey Uso faced off in Philadelphia. Although Jimmy tried to trick his brother in the closing stages, ultimately “Main Event” Jey Uso would be the one who had his hand raised when all was said and done. Getting further revenge the next night, Jey Uso would spear his brother off the entrance ramp during the Bloodline Rules match to neutralise the interference.
The Usos’ father Rikishi discussed the events that took place over WrestleMania weekend on his Off The Top podcast. Although the Hall of Famer was happy with what he saw, Rikishi admitted that he wanted to be a part of the match in some capacity to heighten the drama:
“First of all, I’d like to send a big shoutout to my sons. To be able to finally their dream match in this industry that they’ve been wanting for a long time, I felt like they went out there, they delivered. I only wish that they could have had a little bit more time. I felt like there was a missing puzzle there, which is the guy who you’re listening to now. Hashtag I never got to ‘Call Rikishi.’
So I felt had…they did great without me, but just to add a little more into the match, it would have been a great opportunity, not only for the fans but also myself, on a personal level, to be able to grace the stage with your kids. That’s a memory that will forever be in stone in our family. But at the end of the day, I don’t make the calls. I didn’t lie about it. I was right close by, I was in Philadelphia. Everybody knew where I was at, but I never got the call,”
When asked if there were any conversations between himself and WWE, the former Intercontinental Champion stated that he was never contacted but would have loved to have been a part of the match or just seen watching close by:
“Absolutely not. That’s why I was absent. Hey, I don’t know. After watching the match, maybe…what would be right for me to be a special guest referee. That’s what I felt. I couldn’t be a manager because then it would show favor, which side I’m leaning to. Or I could have just been part of the commentary for that one match, if they’d seen fit. Who knows? Maybe the company felt like, ‘Oh, maybe Kishi couldn’t do the referee. Maybe blah blah blah.’ Whatever the case may be, right.
But there’s still something that they could have put me at. Be it the front row or be it at commentary, or just something. Whatever it was. But at the end of the day, I don’t call the shots. I don’t work for WWE. I’ve been gone from them for well over 25 years, and the only reason why I’m relevant in this wrestling game, and I’ll shoot with it, is because of my fans.
Anything the Bloodline does, anything my kids does, anything any family does that is relevant on TV, you can guarantee my name is gonna pop up. So to me, it’s like, the fans, when they speak, somebody’s gotta listen. Somebody has to listen, and to be able to either, one, honor what the fans are asking for, or two, then so be it. So it’s that. That’s why I’m very happy, I’m working on this album now,”
Rikishi Addresses Viral Video
A few weeks before WrestleMania the Hall of Famer became a talking point on social media when Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley borrowed one of his moves at a non-televised event. With the spot going viral, Rikishi responded to the Rhea Ripley video.
During the same episode, Rikishi predicted the future of The Bloodline.
H/t to Fightful.