In the world of professional wrestling, surprises aren’t limited to the ring – sometimes, they lurk backstage. This weekend’s MLW Battle Riot was no exception, featuring an array of unexpected cameos that left fans buzzing.
According to Fightful Select, WWE’s own Xavier Woods was seen making the rounds backstage, accompanied by TNA Wrestling producer David Sahadi. Whether their appearances were purely social or involved some behind-the-scenes business maneuvering remains a mystery.
Battle Riot wasn’t short on star power. The event showcased a smorgasbord of personalities, from the glitz of Hollywood to the gritty world of horrorcore rap. Actor Paul Walter Hauser joined the fray in the titular match, rubbing elbows with Chris Danger and Violent J of the Insane Clown Posse. WWE Hall of Famers Teddy Long and Mark Henry also made their presence felt, with Henry making his first appearance for a wrestling promotion since his recent departure from AEW.
Xavier Woods’ appearance, in particular, raises eyebrows. Given WWE’s recent openness to collaborations under the leadership of Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Nick Khan, it’s not entirely out of the question that Woods’ visit could hint at future inter-promotional ventures. After all, TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace recently challenged WWE’s Roxanne Perez on “WWE NXT.” However, considering WWE and MLW’s recent antitrust lawsuit settlement, any formal partnership seems about as likely as a peaceful contract signing segment.
MLW isn’t the only promotion enjoying the company of WWE alumni. Mansoor was spotted backstage at last week’s “AEW Dynamite,” though whether he’s merely visiting or considering a move to Tony Khan’s playground remains to be seen.