• “Did someone backstage really feel that way about me?” – Former WWE Women’s Champion On Her Infamous Storyline
Mickie James has opened up about the emotional toll of WWE’s “Piggy James” storyline, calling it one of the most difficult angles of her career.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on the Insight podcast, James revealed that the bullying storyline – which aired in 2009 and featured LayCool mocking her weight – left her questioning whether WWE was actually making fun of her behind the scenes.
“I wasn’t sure how much of it was real,” she said. “Was it just a storyline, or did someone backstage really feel that way about me? I was in a very insecure place at that time.”
Despite the discomfort, she chose to give the role everything she had. “I decided to turn that pain into power. I wanted it to mean something because everyone’s been bullied in some way.”
James said that fans still tell her the story helped them through their own struggles, making it one of the most impactful, though painful, chapters of her WWE career.
• WWE Legend Won The World Title Too Soon Because Of Hulk Hogan
Eric Bischoff has admitted that The Giant (WWE Legend The Big Show aka Paul Wight) was pushed too quickly in WCW – and that Hulk Hogan was the driving force behind his early world title win.
Speaking on his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff said that giving Wight the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his very first match at age 23 was “too much, too soon.”
“If it were up to me alone, I’d have built anticipation slower,” he said. “But Hulk saw Paul as the next Andre (the Giant). He wanted to pass that torch immediately.”
Bischoff noted that Hogan’s influence on creative decisions was enormous at the time, and his endorsement fast-tracked The Giant’s rise.
“Hulk really believed in Paul,” Bischoff said. “He thought he was seeing the second coming of Andre – and in some ways, he wasn’t wrong. But we probably should’ve waited.”
• Maven Reveals Why WWE Fired Him, Admits It Was The Right Decision
On the “Mic Check with Mr. Anderson” podcast, Maven spoke openly about his WWE departure, revealing that the company had warned him repeatedly to take his in-ring development more seriously. According to Maven, WWE staff and agents constantly told him to get more reps before shows, particularly under the guidance of respected names like Fit Finlay and Dean Malenko. But Maven admitted he ignored that advice.
“I wrestled my six-minute match, and then I did everything else wrestlers do,” he said. Instead of training in the ring, Maven would hit the gym, meet up with friends, or go out at night. He used a colorful analogy, saying he was like an employee who only made the coffee at Starbucks but refused to stock shelves, take out the garbage, or learn anything else about the job.
With surprising self-awareness, Maven said he deserved the firing. “Would I fire me? Yeah. I’d fire me sooner,” he admitted. He explained that he lacked maturity and perspective at the time, and that he took WWE for granted.
One of the most shocking revelations was that Maven simply stopped showing up to HWA – WWE’s developmental territory – after being assigned there. “I just stopped showing up,” he said. “They never told me to stop going. I just… didn’t go anymore.” He said the company didn’t reprimand him or even ask where he was, something he found incredible in hindsight.
After his release, Maven said he spent more than a decade feeling bitter, angry, and resentful. “I was bitter for years,” he said. “I blamed my lack of success on everyone other than me. But the truth is – I didn’t make it because of me.”
