PWI Weekly for June 9, 2025
Bad Boys, Bad Boys ... And Girls
LAST WEEK IN THE PWI Weekly, we gave a tip of the hat to the men and women striving to set a good example for others. This week, we are doing a 180 and giving the floor to those dastardly villains!
Times have changed. Today’s fans have more of an understanding of—and respect for—the ins and outs of professional wrestling. Thus, pro wrestlers might not be able to generate the kind of ire that they once did.
However, that’s not to say there aren’t some despicable people out there. This week, we bring you some of our favorites.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
At one time, Trick Williams was one of the most beloved wrestlers in NXT. Today, he’s one of the most despised. In fact, there might not be another grappler in WWE who has gained and lost fan support as much as Williams has. Once aligned with the ever-detestable Carmelo Hayes, Williams grew tired of his mentor’s arrogance and broke away. In the process, he became one of Tuesday night’s most popular grapplers. From there, a tide of support carried him all the way to an NXT championship victory. In the reign that followed, Williams was thought to be one of wrestling’s true heroes. Alas, that thought wouldn’t last.
After losing the NXT championship to Ethan Page, regaining it, and then losing it Oba Femi, something changed in Williams. Rather than take accountability for his own failures, Williams blamed his opponents, management, and the fans. In the process, he squandered all of the goodwill he had built since his split from Hayes.
Now, Williams hears boos wherever he goes. And as much as we would like to castigate him for his actions, we also can’t argue with his success. Since allowing his villainous tendencies to take control once again, Williams has been on a roll. This recent momentum culminated at NXT Battleground on May 23, where he dethroned Joe Hendry for the TNA World heavyweight championship.
Of all the dastardly things he has done, the worst (if you ask TNA fans, at least) is taking that promotion’s top title belt and absconding to WWE with it. Not that Williams cares, so long as he is wearing gold. Maybe being bad is good after all.
SPOTLIGHT ON …
Naomi was once one of the brightest examples of goodness—quite literally—in all of WWE. With her colorful attire and beaming smile, she had fans cheering for her everywhere she went. Those days are now in her rearview. In fact, nowadays, Naomi is all about Naomi.
After attacking Jade Cargill, hiding the reality of the attack, and then usurping her position as one-half of the WWE Women’s tag team champions, Naomi has been on a bad path. Her justifications for her actions were so flimsy that even her longtime friend, Bianca Belair, wanted nothing more to do with her former partner. This, coupled with the revenge that Cargill has dished upon her, has only served to drive Naomi further down that path.
With a new aesthetic, a meaner attitude, and a warning of “caution,” WWE’s women had better watch out. This new villainous Naomi could be very dangerous.
TERRITORIAL DISSINGS
The late, great Andy Kaufman was a lot of things during his short life. He was an actor, writer, and comedian of great acclaim. He was also a darn good pro wrestling villain. In this classic video, Kaufman directs his vitriol towards wrestling fans, whom he feels need some assistance in the personal hygiene department. Thankfully, Kaufman has some helpful tips to offer them.
SPOTLIGHT PHOTO
AJ Francis has Zilla Fatu on the ropes (literally) during Reality of Wrestling’s Last Stand battle royal. Ultimately, Fatu would not only survive Francis’ elimination attempts, but also go on to win the match. Francis, an outspoken former NFL star who likes to brag about his accomplishments, couldn’t have been happy.