The Usos
Encyclopedia
The Usos are a professional wrestling
tag team
consisting of twin brothers Jimmy and Jey Uso. The Usos appear in WWE, competing on the SmackDown brand
. The pair were previously managed
by Tamina
. The Usos are former FCW Florida Tag Team Champions
.
Jimmy (real name Jonathan Solofa Fatu Jr.) and Jey (real name Joshua Samuel Fatu) are the twin sons of Solofa Fatu, better known as Rikishi, and are part of the Anoa'i family
. Tamina (real name Sarona Reiher) is the daughter of Jimmy Snuka
and sister of Jimmy Reiher, Jr.
at a World Xtreme Wrestling
(WXW) show in Milton, Florida
on June 8, 2007.
(FCW) television tapings on November 5, accompanying Donny Marlow to the ring. Jimmy also appeared in a dark match prior to the FCW television tapings on November 19, defeating Titus O'Neill
.
The Usos began 2010 by defeating The Rotondo Brothers (Duke and Bo
) on January 14. In a clash of the generational wrestlers on February 18, The Rotundo Brothers teamed up with Wes Brisco to defeat The Usos and Donny Marlow. They continued their association with Marlow at the television tapings on February 25, when he accompanied them to ringside for a victory against Titus O'Neill and Big E. Langston. In March they were joined by Sarona Snuka, who began acting as their manager
and on March 13 The Usos defeated The Fortunate Sons (Joe Hennig and Brett DiBiase
) to win the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
. They made their first title defense at the March 18 television tapins by defeating The Dudebusters
(Trent Baretta and Caylen Croft) to retain. They went on to successfully defend the championship against Percy Watson
and Darren Young, Hunico
and Tito Nieves
, Skip Sheffield and Darren Young, and The Dudebusters, who they defeated by disqualification when Tamina pulled the referee
out of the ring
to stop him from counting the pinfall. On June 3, The Usos lost the Florida Tag Team Championship to "Los Aviadores" (Hunico and Dos Equis
).
, The Usos and Tamina made their debut by attacking the Unified
Tag Team Champions
, The Hart Dynasty
(Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, and Natalya). The following week, Raw General Manager Bret Hart
stated that he had signed them to contracts. That night, the trio cut a promo, stating that they were looking for respect for their families. They were interrupted and attacked by The Hart Dynasty, who were seeking revenge for the surprise attack the previous week. The Usos attempted to attack The Hart Dynasty again on the June 7 episode of Raw, but The Harts were ready and gained the upper hand. The Usos made their in-ring debut for the brand on the June 17 episode of Superstars
, defeating The Big show and Mark Henry
. Three days later they made their pay-per-view
debut by losing to The Hart Dynasty in a six-person mixed tag team match at Fatal 4-Way
. The Usos were scheduled to face The Hart Dynasty on the June 28 episode of Raw, but the match never started as The Usos instead attacked The Harts when they were entering the ring. The Usos defeated The Hart Dynasty for the first time in a six-person mixed tag team match on the July 12 episode of Raw when Jey pinned Smith. The Usos challenged The Harts for the Unified Tag Team Championship at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, but were unsuccessful. On the July 26 episode of Raw, Jey Uso went against Randy Orton
in his first singles match on the brand in a losing effort. They received another shot for the WWE Tag Team Championship
at Night of Champions
in a Tag Team Turmoil match, where they eliminated The Hart Dynasty then Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella before being eliminated by Mark Henry and Evan Bourne. On the December 6th edition of Raw, The Usos were in a fatal four way tag match and were eliminated, but Tamina stayed in the corner of Marella and Kozlov, and Marella upon their winning of the WWE Tag Team Championship, as a result she turned face
, and left the Usos.
as part of the 2011 Supplemental Draft. On the June 2 edition of Superstars, The Usos turned face
when they went against The Corre
(Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) in a losing effort. On the June 10 episode of SmackDown, The Usos teamed with Ezekiel Jackson to defeat The Corre (Gabriel, Slater and Wade Barrett
). The Usos continued their rivalry with Gabriel and Slater, exchanging victories from the June 17 episode of SmackDown. As of the June 24 episode of SmackDown, The Usos have been performing the Siva Tau
as part of their ring entrance.
On the September 13 episode of NXT Redemption
, The Usos attacked Darren Young and JTG after their victory over William Regal and Matt Striker,
and again on the following week, this time with JTG and Young winning against Titus O'Neil
and Percy Watson
. On September 27 edition of NXT they battled against Young and JTG in a winning effort thus ending their feud. On October, they had a short feud with another duo, Curt Hawkins
and Tyler Reks which they won and lost each other on one occasion. On November 2 edition of NXT The Usos defeated Tyson Kidd and Johnny Curtis
.
on August 22, 1985. They are the twin sons of Solofa Fatu, better known as Rikishi, and are part of the Anoa'i family
. WWE announcer Josh Mathews mentioned that they attended the University of Hawaii
. Their uncle is the late Eddie Fatu better known as Umaga who is a former Intercontinental Champion
. Fatu wrestled for WWE between 2002 to 2003 and 2005 to 2009.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
consisting of twin brothers Jimmy and Jey Uso. The Usos appear in WWE, competing on the SmackDown brand
WWE Brand Extension
WWE, formerly the World Wrestling Federation and World Wrestling Entertainment , currently promotes its core business of professional wrestling through two "brands" named after their two major television shows Raw and SmackDown...
. The pair were previously managed
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
by Tamina
Sarona Reiher
Sarona Reiher is a professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE, where she is performing on the SmackDown brand, using the ring name Tamina...
. The Usos are former FCW Florida Tag Team Champions
FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
The Florida Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their tag team division...
.
Jimmy (real name Jonathan Solofa Fatu Jr.) and Jey (real name Joshua Samuel Fatu) are the twin sons of Solofa Fatu, better known as Rikishi, and are part of the Anoa'i family
Anoa'i family
The Anoa'i family, originating from American Samoa, is a family of professional wrestlers. Family members have comprised several tag teams and stables within a variety of promotions.-Family members:...
. Tamina (real name Sarona Reiher) is the daughter of Jimmy Snuka
Jimmy Snuka
James William "Jimmy" Reiher is a semi-retired Fijian professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Originally from the Fiji Islands, Snuka wrestled for several promotions in the 1970s and 1980s. Snuka is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having been a...
and sister of Jimmy Reiher, Jr.
World Xtreme Wrestling
Appearing under their real names, Jonathan and Joshua Fatu debuted as a tag teamTag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
at a World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling is a Northeastern-based independent professional wrestling promotion which has held events across the United States and have toured in Japan, the Middle East and South Pacific region including American Samoa and Guam....
(WXW) show in Milton, Florida
Milton, Florida
Milton , or Milltown, because Milton had the largest mill around) is a city in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. The city was incorporated in 1844 and is home to Naval Air Station Whiting Field. The population was 7,045 at the 2000 census. In 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
on June 8, 2007.
Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–2010)
Jimmy Uso (Jonathan Fatu) appeared at the Florida Championship WrestlingFlorida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
(FCW) television tapings on November 5, accompanying Donny Marlow to the ring. Jimmy also appeared in a dark match prior to the FCW television tapings on November 19, defeating Titus O'Neill
Thaddeus Bullard
Thaddeus Michael Bullard is an American professional wrestler and former college and professional football player. Bullard played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally in the Arena Football League. Bullard is a professional wrestler, and is signed...
.
The Usos began 2010 by defeating The Rotondo Brothers (Duke and Bo
Taylor Rotunda
Taylor Rotunda is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE and wrestles in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling , as Bo Rotundo. He is a former two time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and has previously held the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship...
) on January 14. In a clash of the generational wrestlers on February 18, The Rotundo Brothers teamed up with Wes Brisco to defeat The Usos and Donny Marlow. They continued their association with Marlow at the television tapings on February 25, when he accompanied them to ringside for a victory against Titus O'Neill and Big E. Langston. In March they were joined by Sarona Snuka, who began acting as their manager
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
and on March 13 The Usos defeated The Fortunate Sons (Joe Hennig and Brett DiBiase
Brett DiBiase
Brett DiBiase is a retired American professional wrestler and professional wrestling referee. known for his time with the WWE, where he worked in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. He is a former FCW Florida Tag Team Champion with Joe Hennig as The Fortunate Sons.Brett...
) to win the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
The Florida Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their tag team division...
. They made their first title defense at the March 18 television tapins by defeating The Dudebusters
The Dude Busters
The Dude Busters were a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft that appeared in World Wrestling Entertainment.- Florida Championship Wrestling :...
(Trent Baretta and Caylen Croft) to retain. They went on to successfully defend the championship against Percy Watson
Percy Watson
Percy C. Thomas Watson was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Rotherham Town and Small Heath. Born in Barnsley, then in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Watson played in the Second Division for both Rotherham Town and Small Heath during the 1893–94...
and Darren Young, Hunico
Incognito (wrestler)
Jorge Arias is an American professional wrestler, who is currently signed by WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand while also wrestling in Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name Hunico...
and Tito Nieves
Orlando Colón
Orlando Colón is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler. He began working in Hybrid Pro Wrestling, an independent circuit in Schoolcraft, Michigan. In 2006, Colón debuted in the World Wrestling Council, a promotion owned by his uncle, Carlos Colón. While working with WWC, he had a brief...
, Skip Sheffield and Darren Young, and The Dudebusters, who they defeated by disqualification when Tamina pulled the referee
Referee (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. The referee also has the ultimate power in the ring...
out of the ring
Wrestling ring
A wrestling ring is the ring stage on which professional wrestlers wrestle.-Configuration and construction:The configuration and construction of the "traditional" ring is very similar to that of a boxing ring, though the wrestling version has three ring ropes...
to stop him from counting the pinfall. On June 3, The Usos lost the Florida Tag Team Championship to "Los Aviadores" (Hunico and Dos Equis
Orlando Colón
Orlando Colón is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler. He began working in Hybrid Pro Wrestling, an independent circuit in Schoolcraft, Michigan. In 2006, Colón debuted in the World Wrestling Council, a promotion owned by his uncle, Carlos Colón. While working with WWC, he had a brief...
).
Raw and managing by Tamina (2010–2011)
On the May 24, 2010 episode of RawWWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
, The Usos and Tamina made their debut by attacking the Unified
Championship unification
Championship unification is the act of combining two or more separate professional wrestling championships into a single title.-History:In professional wrestling, championships may be unified to consolidate the number of championships in a given promotion, or to add legitimacy and prestige to a...
Tag Team Champions
WWE Tag Team Championship
The WWE Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling world tag team championship in WWE. It was established as a second title for tag teams in WWE in 2002 to complement the original World Tag Team Championship...
, The Hart Dynasty
The Hart Dynasty
The Hart Dynasty was a professional wrestling stable that appeared in World Wrestling Entertainment. The unit consisted of the tag team of Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith, and WWE Diva Natalya...
(Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, and Natalya). The following week, Raw General Manager Bret Hart
Bret Hart
Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
stated that he had signed them to contracts. That night, the trio cut a promo, stating that they were looking for respect for their families. They were interrupted and attacked by The Hart Dynasty, who were seeking revenge for the surprise attack the previous week. The Usos attempted to attack The Hart Dynasty again on the June 7 episode of Raw, but The Harts were ready and gained the upper hand. The Usos made their in-ring debut for the brand on the June 17 episode of Superstars
WWE Superstars
WWE Superstars is a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment that originally aired on WGN America in the United States. It debuted on April 16, 2009 and ended its domestic broadcasting on April 7, 2011...
, defeating The Big show and Mark Henry
Mark Henry
Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...
. Three days later they made their pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
debut by losing to The Hart Dynasty in a six-person mixed tag team match at Fatal 4-Way
WWE Fatal 4-Way
Fatal 4-Way was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on June 20, 2010 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York...
. The Usos were scheduled to face The Hart Dynasty on the June 28 episode of Raw, but the match never started as The Usos instead attacked The Harts when they were entering the ring. The Usos defeated The Hart Dynasty for the first time in a six-person mixed tag team match on the July 12 episode of Raw when Jey pinned Smith. The Usos challenged The Harts for the Unified Tag Team Championship at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, but were unsuccessful. On the July 26 episode of Raw, Jey Uso went against Randy Orton
Randy Orton
Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...
in his first singles match on the brand in a losing effort. They received another shot for the WWE Tag Team Championship
WWE Tag Team Championship
The WWE Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling world tag team championship in WWE. It was established as a second title for tag teams in WWE in 2002 to complement the original World Tag Team Championship...
at Night of Champions
Night of Champions (2010)
Night of Champions was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , that took place on September 19, 2010 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. It was the third annual event to be promoted solely under the Night of Champions name and the tenth...
in a Tag Team Turmoil match, where they eliminated The Hart Dynasty then Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella before being eliminated by Mark Henry and Evan Bourne. On the December 6th edition of Raw, The Usos were in a fatal four way tag match and were eliminated, but Tamina stayed in the corner of Marella and Kozlov, and Marella upon their winning of the WWE Tag Team Championship, as a result she turned face
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
, and left the Usos.
SmackDown and NXT (2011−present)
On April 26, 2011, both Usos (Jimmy and Jey) were drafted to the SmackDown brandWWE Brand Extension
WWE, formerly the World Wrestling Federation and World Wrestling Entertainment , currently promotes its core business of professional wrestling through two "brands" named after their two major television shows Raw and SmackDown...
as part of the 2011 Supplemental Draft. On the June 2 edition of Superstars, The Usos turned face
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
when they went against The Corre
The Corre
The Corre was a professional wrestling heel stable that performed on WWE's SmackDown brand in 2011. The stable was formed after Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater left the Nexus and allied with Ezekiel Jackson.-Formation:...
(Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) in a losing effort. On the June 10 episode of SmackDown, The Usos teamed with Ezekiel Jackson to defeat The Corre (Gabriel, Slater and Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett is a retired American soccer player. He is currently an assistant coach at Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo-College:...
). The Usos continued their rivalry with Gabriel and Slater, exchanging victories from the June 17 episode of SmackDown. As of the June 24 episode of SmackDown, The Usos have been performing the Siva Tau
Siva tau
The Manu Siva Tau is a Samoan war dance, performed by the Samoa's sporting teams before each match.The national rugby union team used to perform the traditional 'Ma'ulu'ulu Moa' on tour...
as part of their ring entrance.
On the September 13 episode of NXT Redemption
WWE NXT
WWE NXT is a sports entertainment television program produced by WWE that debuted on February 23, 2010. Described as a hybrid between reality television and WWE's scripted live event shows, the premise of the show follows select talent contracted to WWE's developmental territory Florida...
, The Usos attacked Darren Young and JTG after their victory over William Regal and Matt Striker,
and again on the following week, this time with JTG and Young winning against Titus O'Neil
Thaddeus Bullard
Thaddeus Michael Bullard is an American professional wrestler and former college and professional football player. Bullard played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally in the Arena Football League. Bullard is a professional wrestler, and is signed...
and Percy Watson
Percy Watson
Percy C. Thomas Watson was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Rotherham Town and Small Heath. Born in Barnsley, then in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Watson played in the Second Division for both Rotherham Town and Small Heath during the 1893–94...
. On September 27 edition of NXT they battled against Young and JTG in a winning effort thus ending their feud. On October, they had a short feud with another duo, Curt Hawkins
Curt Hawkins
Brian Joseph Myers is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Curt Hawkins. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand...
and Tyler Reks which they won and lost each other on one occasion. On November 2 edition of NXT The Usos defeated Tyson Kidd and Johnny Curtis
Johnny Curtis
Jonathan Curtis is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand under his ring name Johnny Curtis. He also performs in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling. He was the winner of the fourth season of NXT.- Early Career :Curtis...
.
Personal lives
Jonathan Solofa and Joshua Samuel Fatu were born in San Francisco, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on August 22, 1985. They are the twin sons of Solofa Fatu, better known as Rikishi, and are part of the Anoa'i family
Anoa'i family
The Anoa'i family, originating from American Samoa, is a family of professional wrestlers. Family members have comprised several tag teams and stables within a variety of promotions.-Family members:...
. WWE announcer Josh Mathews mentioned that they attended the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
. Their uncle is the late Eddie Fatu better known as Umaga who is a former Intercontinental Champion
WWE Intercontinental Championship
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is the original secondary title of the promotion. Currently, it is the secondary championship exclusive to the SmackDown brand...
. Fatu wrestled for WWE between 2002 to 2003 and 2005 to 2009.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Alley-Us (Pop-up into a Samoan drop)
- Samoan Splash (Diving splash, sometimes a double diving splash)
- Signature moves
- Backbreaker hold / Diving elbow drop combination
- Bridging double underhook suplex
- Bridging Northern Lights suplex
- Corner splash
- Diving headbutt
- Double back elbow, followed by a double elbow drop
- Double headbutt drop
- Full nelson bomb
- Irish whip / Uppercut combination
- Running butt bump to a seated opponent in the corner
- Spinning forearm smash
- Spinning side slam
- Superkick, sometimes a double superkick
- Thrust kick to the gut
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- TaminaSarona ReiherSarona Reiher is a professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE, where she is performing on the SmackDown brand, using the ring name Tamina...
- Tamina
- Entrance Themes
- "Get Up" by Extreme Music (2010–2011)
- "Alga" by Jim JohnstonJim Johnston (composer)James Alan "Jim" Johnston is an American music composer who has been working for WWE since 1985. His work is often accredited to the names Jim Johnston, James A...
(June 24, 2011–present; played while the Usos are performing the Siva TauSiva tauThe Manu Siva Tau is a Samoan war dance, performed by the Samoa's sporting teams before each match.The national rugby union team used to perform the traditional 'Ma'ulu'ulu Moa' on tour...
) - "Never Make It Without You (Instrumental)" by Fifth Floor (June 24, 2011-October 19, 2011; played after the Usos performed the Siva Tau)
- "So Close Now" by David DallasDavid DallasDavid Dallas is a New Zealand hip-hop artist of Samoan/European descent. Formerly known as Con Psy as part of the rap duo Frontline.- Career :...
(October 26, 2011–present; played after the Usos performed the Siva Tau)
Championships and accomplishments
- Florida Championship WrestlingFlorida Championship WrestlingChampionship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
- FCW Florida Tag Team ChampionshipFCW Florida Tag Team ChampionshipThe Florida Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their tag team division...
(1 time)
- FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked Jimmy Uso #189 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011
- PWI ranked Jey Uso #192 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011