Is a prominent pro wrestling podcaster engaging in an “organized smear campaign” against multiple WWE stars?
Their agent seems to think so.
Taking to X on Sunday, Paradigm Talent Agency’s Nick LoPiccolo responded to a clip from Wrestling Observer Live, in which host Bryan Alvarez criticized the performance of one of his agency’s clients, Blake Monroe. In the clip, Alvarez critiqued Monroe’s first month in WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, stating that he preferred the way she was presented during her previous run in rival company AEW (where she was known by her legal name, Mariah May).
“It’s just silly,” Alvarez said of Monroe’s Sabrina Carpenter-inspired WWE gimmick. “When she was in AEW, they at least pushed her as like a serious top heel. Like whatever you thought about her, they treated her seriously. And here, it’s just like silly. The gimmick is silly.”
Alvarez proceeded to liken Monroe’s current character to the “daddy’s girl” one previously portrayed by current WWE star Tiffany Stratton, who is also represented by Paradigm.
“It’s very one-dimensional,” he said. “It’s not working for me.”
To most, Alvarez’s commentary was interpreted as just that; an opinion regarding how WWE is booking one of its newest young stars. But according to LoPiccolo, there’s more to the story.
“This PR hit is part of a coordinated smear campaign targeting me and the former AEW talent now thriving in WWE and represented by Paradigm, including CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Rusev, and Blake Monroe,” he wrote. “The pattern is obvious. The intent is malicious. We see it. We document it.”
This PR hit is part of a coordinated smear campaign targeting me and the former AEW talent now thriving in WWE and represented by Paradigm, including CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Rusev, and Blake Monroe. The pattern is obvious. The intent is malicious. We see it. We document it. https://t.co/U8OanJJcZo
— Nick LoPiccolo (@nicklopiccolo) July 20, 2025
LoPiccolo didn’t offer any additional evidence or examples, although it’s worth noting that he has recently engaged in multiple social media arguments with Alvarez’s colleague and business partner, Dave Meltzer. Most of those arguments have centered on the success of AEW, with the agent claiming that the promotion’s media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery isn’t as valuable as the $185 million it has been reported as. As recently as Monday, LoPiccolo had posted commentary critical of Meltzer to his Instagram stories.
As for the Alvarez clip in question, at least on the surface, there admittedly wasn’t anything about Alvarez’s commentary regarding Monroe that raised any red flags. If anything, the criticism appeared to be more directed at WWE’s presentation of her character than it was the wrestler herself.
Awful Announcing has reached out to Alvarez but has yet to receive a response.
While it’s one thing for an agent to defend his clients, it’s another to accuse a media member of engaging in a “coordinated smear campaign.” As such, it will be worth monitoring whether anything else comes from this story and ongoing social media feud, especially with LoPiccolo’s comments about the pattern and intent implying the potential for legal action.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.