Maxxine Dupri has been one of the more polarizing figures on the WWE main roster throughout late 2025. While she has garnered a significant fanbase as part of Alpha Academy, her in-ring performances have often been the subject of criticism. Among those offering a critical eye is wrestling veteran Stevie Richards. On a recent episode of his podcast, the “Stevie Richards Show,” the former ECW and WWE star broke down Dupri’s character progression, ultimately placing the blame not on the talent, but on the WWE system itself.
The Disconnect Between Training And Television
Richards argued that exposing a developing talent like Dupri to long television matches before they are ready does them a disservice. He pointed out that despite training under the highly respected duo of Natalya and TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd), there seems to be a disconnect when talents transition to live television. According to Richards, the foundational skills taught in the “Dungeon” aren’t translating to the screen, which exposes flaws in psychology and chemistry.
“When you give her this much time, even a 10-minute match right now, what’s going to happen? And it also, for Becky to a degree, Becky and Maxxine were both exposed for their lack of just chemistry and also, in a way, their lack of being able to work with any sort of psychology. And Natty knows what she’s doing. Natty can train people, man. Natty and TJ have done an amazing job giving people a good foundational wrestling knowledge and technique, and trying to teach them. And somehow they unlearn it when they get on TV. I don’t—it’s not an indictment on them. It’s an indictment on the system.”
The Failed “Shooter” Gimmick
Richards also took aim at the creative direction for Dupri, specifically the attempt to rebrand her with a “shooter” gimmick. He referenced the rigorous training montage vignettes that aired, suggesting they promised a transformation that was never delivered physically or aesthetically. He compared the necessary transformation to the torturous process Wade Wilson underwent to become Deadpool—a breaking down to build up—which he feels was skipped in favor of aesthetic lighting.
“Now, if Maxxine was getting bullied… I need to train in Stu Hart’s dungeon, run by Natty and TJ Wilson. And they stretch her, and they beat her up, and they toughen her up… But all we got was ‘I’m a shooter now,’ and we got some dark lighting, some fitness-type lighting, and cinematic shots. Again, going back to that entrance, which we made fun of. If your identity or your new identity is a shooter, why are you doing the Bella’s pose at the entrance? Disconnect right off the bat, right? Not walking.”
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