Few catchphrases in recent WWE history have gained more popularity than “YEET,” the signature chant of “Main Event” Jey Uso. But what does “YEET” actually mean, where did it originate, and why has it become one of the loudest chants in WWE arenas?
How Did “YEET” Become Popular in WWE?
The term “YEET” did not originate in WWE. It started as a piece of Gen-Z slang, gained popularity on Vine and social media around 2015-16, and means to throw something with enthusiasm or, as an exclamation, to show excitement or energy, as defined by Merriam-Webster, the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States, and by Dictionary.com.
“Yeet is a slang word that functions broadly with the meaning “to throw,” but is especially used to emphasize forcefulness and a lack of concern for the thing being thrown.
Yeet is also used as an interjection, most often to express excitement or enthusiasm.”
yeet | interjection | used to express surprise, approval, or excited enthusiasm
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) February 2, 2025
While speaking on the Nightcap podcast, the former World Heavyweight Champion revealed how he came up with his “YEET” catchphrase, explaining that he started using it behind the scenes and in promos with his brothers and Roman Reigns years before it became a meme.
“If you really pay attention, like, my brothers, Roman, we’ve kind of been saying that from the jump. If you look at old promos or whatever, you’ll hear him. You know, it’s also West Coast slang. It’s been slang before ‘Yeet’ became a meme… The ‘T’ wasn’t even on there. It used to be ‘Ye,’ like, ‘ye e e e e e,’ you know? like that yeah.” (Timestamp: 1:06:39-1:07:30)
The real turning point came after the WWE Fastlane 2023 press conference. Jey and Cody Rhodes had just won the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, and amid jokes and celebration, they kept shouting “YEET,” making each other laugh.
While speaking to Nightcap after his 2025 Royal Rumble victory, Jey Uso said:
“I didn’t expect it to take off like that, oho Man it just took off at the press conference. If you watch the press conference, like, you know, i heard Cody saying ‘Yeet,’ and then it just took off, man. Like, I think that was a turning point. But I never thought it would take off the way it do.” (Timestamp: 1:07:41-1:08:03)
From that moment, merchandise, T-shirts, memes, and a wave of “YEET” crowd chants solidified the catchphrase as the centerpiece of Jey’s brand and entrance.
Why Do WWE Fans Chant “YEET” with Jey Uso?
The “YEET” chant has become a unifying, infectious moment for WWE crowds. Whenever Jey Uso enters, arenas explode with synchronized “YEET!” chants, often with fans bouncing both hands up and down.
Fans chant Jey’s catchphrase as it symbolizes all the energy, unpredictability, and positivity of Jey Uso’s singles run.
In an interview with Jackie Redmond, Jey explained the special appeal, even poking fun at its flexible meaning.
“YEET means Yes, no, maybe. You want to go get some food YEET, You want to go workout YEET, you know, did you like that movie (with a hesitant face) YEET? Many things. Positive.” (Timestamp: 22:13-22:26)
Beyond its literal meaning, “YEET” symbolizes Jey’s journey from being overshadowed in The Usos tag team to emerging as a fan-favorite singles star after splitting with The Bloodline.
Even during times when the word was off-limits due to a trademark issue, fans continued chanting it, and WWE reportedly had to mute audiences until the problem was resolved, showing how deep the catchphrase’s roots have grown with the WWE Universe.
Famous YEET Moments in WWE
1. WrestleMania 41: Jey Uso Turns Allegiant Stadium Into The YEET Zone
WrestleMania 41 delivered, but Jey Uso stole the moment before the bell even rang. As his entrance theme played, the entire Allegiant Stadium erupted with a wave of “YEET!” chants.
“You could feel the whole place vibrate,” said commentator Michael Cole live on air.
This wasn’t just a chant; it was WrestleMania canon.
2. SummerSlam 2025 Kickoff Show: “New York, Welcome to New YEET City”
Jey Uso loves being on a big stage, and at SummerSlam’s kickoff from Fanatics Fest in New York City, he lit up the Barclays Center. As he grabbed the mic, fans roared “YEET!” along with him.
“The energy in New York was insane,” The people were YEETING before I even hit the ring,”
Uso told WWE.com.
WWE’s social channels replayed the moment for days, making it an instant classic.
3. Jey Uso and Travis Scott “YEET” on Monday Night RAW’s debut on Netflix
You don’t see this every day: on a packed January 2025 edition of RAW, Grammy winner Travis Scott strutted to the ring arm in arm with Jey Uso. The crowd? Nuclear.
Both stars bounced to the “YEET!” rhythm, blending hip-hop and WWE culture for a viral entrance.
Fans lit up social media within minutes, calling it one of the most iconic crossovers in recent WWE history.
4. Rhea Ripley Shocked the WWE Universe With Her Own “YEET!” at Wrestlemania 41
It’s not just The Bloodline anymore. Rhea Ripley surprised fans after WrestleMania by snatching a fan’s shades, looking straight into the camera, and belting a defiant “YEET!”
The arena erupted. Within minutes, the clip was everywhere, flooding social media, racking up millions of views, and igniting countless memes.
Rhea Ripley YEET
byu/GladleeYT inBrandonDE
It was more than a catchphrase; Ripley had just claimed YEET for herself, adding a whole new layer to its momentum.
