The wrestling community erupted following Jey Uso’s advancement in WWE’s prestigious “Last Time Is Now” tournament on the November 14th episode of SmackDown, but the real headline isn’t about his in-ring performance—it’s the unprecedented wave of negative reaction flooding social media and YouTube commentary sections[3][4]. While “Main Event” Jey Uso secured his spot in the next round by defeating The Miz in a hard-fought contest, fans have begun questioning the tournament’s direction and WWE’s booking decisions heading into what promises to be the most significant retirement match in professional wrestling history[3].
The Match That Started It All
Jey Uso’s victory over The Miz showcased technical wrestling prowess, but it also exposed deeper concerns among the fanbase about the tournament’s competitive integrity. The SmackDown encounter featured several momentum swings, with The Miz nearly securing multiple finishes before Uso ultimately prevailed[3]. The A-Lister’s near-victories, including a high-impact Skull Crushing Finale attempt from the second rope, kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the bout[3].
However, what transpired after the match—or rather, the broader context of tournament participants—has ignited a firestorm of criticism online. WWE’s selection of tournament entrants appears to have frustrated a significant portion of the hardcore fanbase, particularly regarding the legitimacy of certain competitors.
Fan Reaction Reaches Critical Mass
YouTube comment sections have become ground zero for fan frustration, with viewers questioning WWE’s direction for the tournament structure itself[2]. The “Last Time Is Now” tournament represents a historic opportunity—the chance to face an aging John Cena in what could potentially be his final match before retirement—making participant selection absolutely crucial to maintaining storyline credibility[6].
The return of veteran Zack Ryder (known in recent WWE appearances as Matt Cardona) to face LA Knight in the same night’s tournament action provided an unexpected surprise, but even this shocking return couldn’t overshadow the negative sentiment building throughout social media[2][5]. Ryder’s comeback after more than five years away from WWE television initially drew intrigue, with commentary noting he remained committed to his signature “Woo Woo Woo” catchphrase[5].
According to a WWE insider close to the production team, the tournament’s direction was intended to create unpredictable moments while simultaneously pushing certain mid-card talents into the spotlight. However, this strategy appears to have backfired with a portion of the audience who expected different competitors or booking outcomes.
The Tournament’s Larger Context
The “Last Time Is Now” tournament serves as WWE’s primary vehicle for determining who will face John Cena in what may be his swan song match[6][7]. With sixteen competitors initially announced and selected at random by WWE management, the tournament has progressed through opening rounds on both Raw and SmackDown[6][7]. Rusev’s victory over Damian Priest in Monday night’s opening round action provided an early indicator that established names would advance through the early stages[6].
Yet fan commentary suggests that some participants lack the star power or narrative momentum necessary to warrant a championship opportunity against WWE’s most decorated performer. Jey Uso himself, while undeniably talented and a former Undisputed WWE Champion contender, represents a mid-tier threat in the minds of many observers—raising questions about whether the tournament bracket will ultimately deliver a satisfying final opponent for Cena’s potential farewell.
Booking Questions and Competitive Integrity
What truly rankles the fanbase, according to YouTube reactions and Reddit discussions, is the apparent lack of clear storyline reasoning for several tournament selections. The tournament’s random selection process, while theoretically ensuring unpredictability, has resulted in matchups that feel narratively hollow to segments of the audience[6][7].
The Miz, a veteran performer with championship experience and considerable promo skills, seemed like a reasonable tournament participant. However, his loss to Jey Uso—particularly given The Miz’s near-victories throughout the match—has led fans to question whether WWE Creative has a coherent long-term vision for the bracket[3][4].
LA Knight’s progression through his own tournament match against the returning Zack Ryder presented an interesting dynamic, with Knight continuing his ascent as WWE’s charismatic Megastar[2]. Knight’s recent momentum and fan connection suggest he could prove a worthy final opponent for Cena. However, the inclusion of less prominent competitors has diluted fan enthusiasm for the overall tournament structure.
The Path Forward
As the “Last Time Is Now” tournament continues its progression toward quarterfinals and semifinals, WWE faces a critical juncture. The company must demonstrate that the bracket leads toward a climactic final that justifies the tournament’s existence and creates genuine anticipation for Cena’s farewell encounter. With multiple rounds remaining and several high-profile names still competing, there remains opportunity for WWE to rebuild fan confidence through compelling storytelling and strategic booking decisions[2][3][4].
The negative YouTube reaction to Jey Uso’s advancement serves as a cautionary tale: even impressive individual performances cannot overcome broader concerns about tournament legitimacy and WWE’s creative direction. Fans want to believe they’re witnessing a legitimate competition to determine Cena’s final challenger, not simply another vehicle for predetermined outcomes lacking narrative weight.
Final Thoughts
While Jey Uso’s victory demonstrated solid wrestling ability and positioned him closer to a potential John Cena confrontation, the victory itself became secondary to the larger conversation about WWE’s booking philosophy and fan satisfaction. The wrestling community’s response indicates that even during moments of genuine athletic achievement, storytelling questions and tournament structure concerns will dominate the discourse.
WWE Creative must recognize that casual viewers and hardcore fans alike expect the tournament culminating in a John Cena retirement match to represent the absolute pinnacle of WWE’s championship opportunities. Until the full bracket reveals its final combatants and a coherent narrative emerges justifying each participant’s presence, fan skepticism will likely continue echoing through YouTube comment sections and social media platforms, threatening to undermine the emotional impact of what should be professional wrestling’s most significant moment of 2025[2][3][4].