Netflix’s WWE series “Unreal” revealed the original creative direction for the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble Match. Behind-the-scenes footage showed that CM Punk and John Cena were the two top names considered to win the match before the decision shifted to Jey Uso.
During a creative meeting shown in the documentary, Triple H asked the team who should win. The immediate responses were Cena and Punk. The rationale behind Cena’s potential victory was tied to his retirement year, aiming for a classic, emotional moment.
Despite these suggestions, Jey Uso ultimately received the win. According to producer Michael Hayes, when a talent like Jey gains genuine momentum with fans, it’s sometimes necessary to change all plans to capitalize on the moment and invest in a rising, popular star.
The footage confirms that Jey Uso was not WWE’s initial choice. What was originally planned as a legacy win for Cena or a major moment for Punk instead became a turning point for one of the company’s rising stars.