10 Times Modern WWE Stars FINALLY Felt Like Big Deals
7. The Usos
The Usos were a fun midcard fixture even under the paint that in turn painted them as generic ethnic stereotypes, inciting the modern tag team renaissance well before the NXT brand elevated the art form. As Jimmy and Jey played prey to Harper and Rowan in a scintillating styles clash at Battleground '14, the Ascension ratcheted up more numbers than interest with the yellow brand's gold.
As pulsating as that series was, absolutely nothing about the televised build remains vivid in the mind's eye; the Usos were entertaining filler, but pure filler nonetheless: a team that delivered big on pay-per-view, but lacked the character work to truly connect with the audience long-term.
As the tandem dropped the paint, they grabbed the brass ring.
Galvanised by the much-missed Talking Smack, Jimmy and Jey transposed this newfound confidence to the flagship arena. Glowing with swagger, they belatedly delivered a momentous TV segment seven years after they debuted with a dismal sub-Rikishi "respect" motivation.
Disrespect was the order of the day on Independence Day 2017.
Casually leaning on the furore that was Xavier Woods' leaked sex tape scandal, this new version of the Usos team commanded the crowd's attention with witty, aggression-laced voice:
"Big E, let's just keep it PG; you know what's good. Just don't get all rated R, like your boy Xavier Woods..."
No shaming, just maiming, this cemented the Usos as a killer all-round act fit for every inch of the WWE stage.