- Jey Uso twice defended his title during a short seven-week reign with the belt
- But the American’s rival got his revenge after Uso triumphed at WrestleMania 41
- Triple H took to social media to celebrate WWE Raw’s new champion on Monday
Jey Uso reign as WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion has ended after just 52 days, with Gunther reclaiming the title during a thrilling main event on Monday Night Raw.
Gunther, who lost the belt to Uso at WrestleMania 41 in April, took his revenge by forcing the American to tap out with a brutal chokehold in the centre of the ring during the red brand’s main event on Monday.
The fact that Gunther used a sleeper hold to take back the belt was poetically ironic, given that the same move was used by Uso to beat him at WrestleMania 41.
Their rivalry has been bubbling towards boiling point ever since Uso ended the Ring General’s 259-day reign with a stunning 16-minute victory in Vegas.
The 39-year-old wrestler twice defended the World Heavyweight Championship over his seven-week reign, first against Seth Rollins via disqualification on May 5 and then against Logan Paul 19 days later.
Before Gunther’s decisive chokehold, the two fighters traded blows both inside and outside the ring before the American landed multiple spears and an Uso Splash.
On his second attempt from the top rope, Gunther took evasive action by rolling out of the way and quickly capitalised by using the submission move on Uso.
Visibly shaken after regaining consciousness, Uso did not demand a rematch – and instead reflected on the defeat with an emotional speech to the Phoenix crowd.
Gunther has been crowned WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion for the second time
The Australian seized victory with a chokehold on Jey Uso on Monday Night Raw’s main event
Uso’s defeat calls an end to his 52-day title reign, having beaten Gunther at WrestleMania 41
‘I’m sorry to my son. I’m sorry to everybody here. I fought my a** off,’ Uso told the WWE fans. He also labelled Gunther one of ‘the best pros he’s ever faced’.
Shortly after Raw’s main event, WWE chief Triple H posted on social media to congratulate the Australian on retaining his title.
‘Capped off a huge weekend for WWE with a main event on #WWERaw. Respect to Main Event (truly) Jey Uso and congratulations to our NEW World Heavyweight Champion Gunther,’ Triple H said on X.
Gunther is now the first wrestler to hold the championship twice, given the belt was first introduced back in May 2023.
