Michelle McCool Discusses WWE Controversies and Memorable Matches

LOS ANGELES, CA — Michelle McCool, a celebrated figure in women’s wrestling, shared her insights during a recent podcast interview, covering her participation in the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble, the contentious ‘Piggy James’ storyline, and experiences with ‘redo matches’ in WWE. The interview provided an inside look at McCool’s wrestling journey and the impact of controversial storylines.

During the podcast, McCool reflected on her unexpected call-up for the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble. ‘They called me on very short notice. I think it was eight, nine days,’ McCool recalled. ‘I said yes, I’ll work out. But I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times, ring shape is a whole different ball game.’ Her preparation was brief, but she relished the experience, especially with family watching. ‘I was in for a few minutes. I was like give me a second, I’m tired,’ she joked.

McCool also addressed the notorious ‘Piggy James’ storyline, a significant point of contention during her career. ‘At heart, I hated it, just because of what it was. You’re bullying somebody that they’re supposedly overweight and that has never been me,’ she stated. Despite her discomfort, McCool acknowledged the professionalism of her co-star, Mickie James, who embraced her role in the storyline. ‘She easily could have said, ‘Guys, this is too much, too far,’ but she didn’t. She knew how the business worked, and it helped us,’ McCool explained.

Reflecting on the genesis of the storyline, McCool mentioned that it often stemmed from personal digs within the wrestling community. ‘I don’t remember the original pitch. A lot of times back then things started with personal digs at somebody. But when that storyline came about, I was like, oh, this is just mean,’ she expressed. Nonetheless, she recognized its impact, saying, ‘But it did get us over, and I give all the credit in the world to Mickie for that.’

McCool also shared her pride in being part of the first-ever women’s tables match, recalling the excitement leading up to the event. ‘I was proud of that Tables match. It was fun. The table would not put us over, didn’t like us either,’ she laughed, recalling a moment when a table stubbornly refused to break during the match.

In discussing her experiences with ‘redo matches,’ McCool recounted a specific instance where she and fellow wrestler Victoria were asked to perform their match again because WWE officials believed their punches looked better than those of their male counterparts. ‘We were like, wait a minute. We have to go redo our match because our punches look too good?’ McCool said, expressing both disbelief and humor about the situation.

Despite facing challenges and controversies, McCool’s career continues to inspire new generations of wrestlers. Her candid reflections on the complexities of the wrestling world highlight both the triumphs and the pitfalls that come with being a part of WWE.