Ex-WWE Star TJP Reveals Major Pitch that Was Shot Down by Vince McMahon

Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJP was recently a part of a Reddit AMA, and address several topics regarding his past WWE run. After winning the Cruiserweight Classic in 2016, as well as the championship as a result of winning the tournament, TJP led the revived cruiserweight division which became a feature on Raw.

In the AMA, TJP stated that he knew after the first round that he was going to win the CWC. He added that he was asked whether he wanted to compete against Zack Sabre, Jr. or Gran Metalik in the finals of the tournament, which he picked Zabre, Jr. However, WWE overrode his decision, and chose Gran Metalik as a result of “the broader range of styles the match would produce.”

TJP started his WWE career as a babyface, but eventually turned heel when his character was starting to get a bit dull. When he turned heel, TJP pitched an idea to Vince McMahon for Summer Rae to be his valet to create a Shawn Michaels/Sensational Sherri feel. However, Vince rejected the idea.

“One day in Boston I went to Vince’s office before Raw and asked for 2 things. To use TJP as a nickname (it was previously a nickname fans gave me on the Indys back in 2010) and also me and Summer Rae pitched a wrestler/valet combo like Shawn/Sherri. Since I was turning into a bad guy. Vince said sure no problem to the nickname, but the valet thing never stuck. Summer and I tried pitching it a few times but it didn’t take.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eT4gqjO5ag

TJP also stated that he is interested in competing for AEW, and he did speak to them a little bit, but it was way before television started. He added that he would love competing in the ring again with Darby Allin.

Since being released from WWE in February, TJP stated that he has “made more this year on my own than I did any year in WWE,” noting that he made well over six figures while competing for the company.

Follow Chris Featherstone on Twitter @chrisprolific, and the Pancakes and Powerslams Show @cravewrestling. Subscribe to the Pancakes and Powerslams Show via the Crave Wrestling YouTube page.