WWE Use Star’s Dead Brother For Cruel Heel Turn
Things got personal and uncomfortable on Raw as WWE again used a dead family member of one of their stars to further a storyline.
Maxxine Dupri has faced a rough few weeks. Video footage of the Alpha Academy star went viral of Dupri being booed by a crowd at a live event as she left the ringside area. Rhea Ripley led the outpouring of support for Dupri but one ex-WWE star questioned why the crowd was being criticized for expressing their views.
Maxxine Dupri has said scrutiny over her matches sucks but has explained how hard she is trying to get better. Despite her inexperience in the ring, Dupri was back in action live on Raw in Houston, Texas as she teamed with Ivy Nile to face Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae.
Candice LeRae Turns Heel In Hurful Style In WWE
With Hartwell down, Dupri went to nail her with her Otis-inspired caterpillar but LeRae stopped her in her tracks before delivering a damning verdict on Dupri that was picked up by the camera audio. LeRae told her Hartwell wasn’t taking that move and that it was stupid before telling Dupri:
You know why people are booing you right? Because you don’t belong here. Oh does that hurt your feelings? If you think the internet hates you, you should hear what the girls in the locker room have to say about you. Are you gonna cry? It’s a good thing your dead brother isn’t here to see what an embarrassment you’ve become.
What has gotten into @CandiceLeRae?! That was wayyyyy over the line!#WWERawpic.twitter.com/mgNX7a4PVV
— WWE (@WWE) March 12, 2024
In 2017, Dupri’s brother Wyatt Zmrzel passed away after being killed in an automobile accident.
Using deceased family members in storylines is nothing new in wrestling but it remains a controversial subject. Christian Cage frequently points out his fellow AEW star’s dead fathers to comic effect but it is not always something that is well received.
Perhaps the most infamous example in WWE history of this was when Randy Orton told Rey Mysterio “Eddie’s in hell” to further ignite their rivalry just mere weeks after the beloved Eddie Guerrero had passed away.