Sports reporter Michelle Beadle was Jim Ross’ guest on this week’s Ross Report podcast at PodcastOne.com and spoke about her infamous backstage incident with AJ Lee at last year’s Tribute to the Troops tapings.
Michelle said that she considered Phil a friend but apparently she was wrong. She saw him backstage at Tribute to the Troops and affectionately said “What up F*** face?” She noted that Punk was alone at the time and she was with members of WWE PR at the time. Then the next thing she knows, AJ Lee confronted her and started yelling in her face, which she thought was a rib. She looked at Punk to get his reaction of what was happening, but he kept his back to her. WWE apologized to her for AJ’s behavior. A few days later, she saw websites writing about the altercation.
She said that Phil and her stopped being friends that day. “Phil was one of those cool guys that didn’t fall into a certain role and kind of did what he wanted but to watch all of that happen and have someone tattle on me and have their girlfriend get in my face is a little pathetic. It’s ok, i’ve moved on.”
JR asked her if she was surprised at CM Punk’s decision to leave WWE. She said she’s not shocked he left, but it’s more shocking that he has not yet returned. She expected him to appear at WrestleMania and as a WWE fan, she misses his TV character.
Other topics discussed include her job at ESPN, how she became a wrestling fan and more. She also revealed that she’s had talks with WWE about joining the company. You can listen to the full interview below:
* Photos of ROMAN REIGNS & His Fiancé