Before we dive in, I want to be upfront: this week’s Mop-Up will be a bit shorter than usual. I could sugarcoat it and say I’m sorry, but truth is, it’s been a whirlwind of a week, and sometimes life’s just like that. On top of that, I’ve been stationed at World of Wrestling HQ all week, covering the often fiery negotiations for this year’s draft rules.
Now, onto the scoop. While that pig-fucker Lenny’s already covered most of the draft rules buzz, I’ve got a few juicy tidbits he missed. Earlier this week, Sami Zayn and Benny Mouse shook things up by suggesting televising the 2024 Draft—an unprecedented move. In the past, drafts were pretty casual affairs, but word on the street is that industry bigwigs are aiming to turn it into a week-long extravaganza leading up to Starrcade.
And here’s the kicker: Benny Mouse himself made a surprise appearance at today’s summit, defying expectations after Splinter’s revelations about his health. While Sami stuck close by, Benny held court for hours, reportedly in top form. No slips, no episodes—just the Benny we all know. He was in high spirits, boasting about AEW’s ratings triumphs like old times. Sami did handle much of the official communications today, but Benny Mouse was very much involved.
With the Board of Directors investigation officially concluded and the verdict coming tomorrow on Dynamite, I found it interesting to see Benny Mouse so involved for what could very well be the last time.
Now, onto the Mop-Up:
A New Celebrity:
This past week on Tuesday, I was pleasantly surprised to witness the official WWE debut of Xolo Mariduena, better known to Cobra Kai fans as Miguel Diaz. It was quite the sight to see him transition from the dojo to wrestling business, and I am actually excited to see if he’ll get in the ring. Diaz made his appearance during the Cobra Kai wrap party, which took an unexpected turn when an enraged and unhinged Bobby Lashley crashed the festivities!
Now, it’s no secret that Johnny Lawrence has a knack for stirring up trouble with the biggest and baddest guys around, only to end up on the receiving end of an epic ass beating before ultimately resolving the feud. And speaking of Lawrence, here’s an interesting tidbit: I heard directly from the grapevine that during today’s talks, Benny Mouse mentioned to Jeff Murrey that he’s considering drafting Lawrence if he’s not granted exemption!
Jesse Hash, the Heel:
So, remember last week when I was going on and on about how Hash could potentially join the Million Dollar Corporation without having to turn heel? Well, it seems Hash had other ideas. This week, he cranked things up a notch and delivered a full-blown heel turn, surprising everyone who’s known him as a career-long face!
Hash took the mic and hyped up the first company not led by a Mouse, Brown, or Murrey since the days of Shane Murphy. He revealed that he’s aligning himself with DiBiase for the promise of a central role in the proposed Million Dollar Wrestling League. Now, I’ve gotta admit, I’m not a huge fan of that name. It feels clunky, and let’s face it, a million dollars isn’t exactly a fortune in this business.
But just as Hash was getting into it, he was interrupted by Granddaddy Duxen, who was none too pleased with Hash’s decision to join the dark side. Duxen even went so far as to request an Extreme Title shot, but Hash shut him down without a second thought. It’s a relief to finally know what DiBiase has in store if he wins the Global Conflict Series. I’ve been scratching my head about the motivations of the major players in this story, so it was great to see some clarity, all while solidifying Hash’s heel turn.
Murrey & Elizabeth:
Monday Night Raw kicked off with a surprising scene: Miss Elizabeth was seen earnestly pleading with Jeff Murrey to put an end to the rumors swirling around them, insinuating an affair. She firmly denied any such allegations and expressed her frustration that these rumors were tarnishing her reputation as she strives to be taken seriously in the industry.
In response, Murrey, in his ever-creepy manner, offered a bizarre apology to his “delicate flower” and claimed he couldn’t address the rumors because he was supposedly under a curse inflicted by Danhausen. Liz urged Jeff to snap out of it, but he retorted with an outburst, insisting it was a serious matter before hastily exiting the room en route to a bathroom.
The dynamics between these two central authority figures in WWE are undeniably unique, especially in an industry that has witnessed countless power struggle storylines. Liz clearly aims to establish herself in the business, but unless she’s willing to play dirty like Murrey and the Mouse family, her aspirations may remain out of reach for the time being. As the saying goes, “controversy creates cash.” If Liz truly wants to advance, perhaps she should consider making bold moves, even if that involves jumping into Murrey’s lap shortly after his wedding anniversary. After all, it seemed to work wonders for Jane Mouse. Just a thought!
Mickey’s Offer:
In one of the standout segments from this past Monday’s episode of Asylum, Mickey Mouse made a surprise appearance, popping out from behind a dumpster in a last-ditch effort to persuade Jade Cargill to postpone her title shot until Starrcade and also be added to the Women’s International Championship match. Despite his persistence, Jade remained resolute, echoing her stance from her conversation with Executioner the day prior: she had no intention of delaying her opportunity at Bliss just to accommodate Mickey’s request. Mickey’s desperation stemmed from a deal where Bliss had agreed to stop haunting him if he could seal the deal with Jade.
When Mickey Mouse is on, he’s undeniably one of the most entertaining personalities in professional wrestling. In a particularly memorable moment, when Jane expressed a preference for Mickey’s “pig-fucking brother” over him, Mickey responded with quick wit and deadpan humor, quipping, “Which one?” before cheekily suggesting he too could engage in such antics if it sealed the deal.
Despite Mickey’s comedic pleas, Jade stood firm in her decision to face Bliss, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing fallout. It remains to be seen how Mickey’s failed attempts to sway Jade will impact his standing and what role it will play in his anticipated decline.
The Golden Arches:
In one of the most entertaining and perhaps surprisingly hilarious segments on WWE programming, Doc Brown’s attempts to “Americanize” Nakamura on his quest for the United States Championship led to a scene that could easily have doubled as a cleverly disguised commercial for McDonald’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if WWE struck a lucrative deal with the fast-food giant for this moment, marking a potential first for product placement in wrestling, aside from the occasional shoutout for Prime from Logan Paul.
During the scene, Doc Brown declared a McDonald’s burger as the “sacred rite of passage for anyone wishing to truly understand American culture,” touting it as the epitome of culinary perfection. It’s hard not to see this as a subtle nod to the fast-food chain, especially with the enthusiasm and reverence Doc Brown displayed.
Whether it was a legitimate commercial or a clever viral marketing ploy, I have to admit, I’m not complaining. The dynamic between Nakamura and Doc Brown in recent weeks has been nothing short of comedic gold and has injected new life into Nakamura’s career on the American stage. Here’s hoping for more entertaining moments like this in the future!
The Rebirth of the UWA:
I’ve got some strong feelings about this. Back in January, I was chatting with a fellow insider about how the demise of PWI could pave the way for the ultimate resurrection of the UWA. I was pretty adamant about it, but I got shot down with a laundry list of reasons why it couldn’t happen. I guess I should’ve taken that as a sign, but I foolishly trusted my source.
But then, to kick off Mayhem, Catherine laid out her vision for what could happen if she and Scot Nash clinch the Global Conflict Series. Instead of the usual north-south or USWA-WWF split, she’s talking about bringing back the UWA with a Premier League and an Extreme League. Now, I’ve got a soft spot for the UWA, so you can imagine how pumped I am at the thought of its comeback, even if its last run didn’t quite live up to its legendary status.
And as much as I’m curious about a DiBiase-run company, I can’t deny that I’m rooting for Catherine and the whole Mouse family to make a splash in the next era, even without Mickey in the picture.
There were so many standout moments from Monday night that I’m itching to dive into, but truth be told, I’m running on fumes and it’s time to wrap things up. Tomorrow night is shaping up to be a monumental one, with AEW, Raw, and Global Conflict 4 all on the horizon.
While I won’t dive into full predictions just yet, I’m particularly intrigued by what’s brewing over in PWI, especially with the potential showdown between Blaster and Mickey, not to mention the high-stakes main event featuring Dragonfly and Ted Jr. While I’m not banking on a title change, the possibility of a major shakeup in the Undisputed Championship scene has me on the edge of my seat.
As always, stay tuned for more content coming your way soon. Let’s soak in this week of wrestling—it’s shaping up to be one for the history books!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 