In a cool trend that has the WWE regaining some of its former strength with superstars returning from injuries, they’re also going to welcome back one of the world’s top tag teams. Yep, the Usos are returning, thanks to Jimmy Uso being cleared of his DUI. Reports indicate that the green light has been given for WWE creative to begin working on storylines to bring them back to television.
Unfortunately for us, there’s been no timetable released, so we’ll have to wait and see when and howthey’re returning. My money is during a big moment at a pay-per-view or a surprise challenge for a tag team champion. Of all the times for the WWE to be tight-lipped, right?
Anyway, the reason they’re coming back is…
Jimmy Uso’s been cleared
They’ve been missing from WWE programing since this past summer, mainly due to Jimmy’s ongoing trouble with the law.
First, he was pulled over in February and arrested for a DUI, after he appeared to want to fight the officers. He plead no contest and was fined $450. Then in July, he was arrested in Pensacola, Florida for another DUI (Fun fact: this came the morning after the Raw Reunion where John Cena made fun of his arrest record). This time, he fought against the case and after going to trial, he was found not guilty by a jury.
WWE’s PR best
Despite the twins being with the company for a decade, this didn’t stop Vince McMahon and company from pulling them from television as they waited the outcome of the case. While it’s fair to note McMahon has a low tolerance policy with things of this nature since his trial for pushing steroids on his talent in the 90s, it’s also indicative that he refuses to allow anyone to tarnish the WWE’s image.
Tarnishing the brand is something most sports teams and leagues are concerned with in general, but it’s different here. Whether it’s the NFL, NHL, MLB, or NBA, the teams tend to stick with the player and show them public support of they feel they aren’t guilty or they could help. When they’re convinced the player is guilty, they sever all ties. But that’s in production driven arenas where the players are needed to change the outcomes of games or seasons.
The WWE, though boasting some tremendous athletes, is scripted and the winners are predetermined. They simply slip another in place and tweak the script. It is what it is.
This doesn’t mean the WWE isn’t production based, as their focus in mainly monetary, but it’s a different kind of production as the competition is different. They’re not focused on wins and losses to keep jobs or make money, but to put on a good show that’ll have the fans coming back.
In this case, they didn’t release the Usos, especially Jimmy, but put them on the back burner and most likely continued paying both of them.
It’s a different kind of endorsement, but it’s still an endorsement. And it’s an endorsement that’s been vindicated as the Usos are returning. If nothing else, it should be fun to see what they add to the tag team division wherever they’re finally placed.
