As noted before, WWE recently removed Max Durpi (former LA Knight in NXT) from his Maximum Male Models stable due to issues over Durpi’s backstage heat and WWE officials feeling that he was not fitting in his role as the group’s mouthpiece.
Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that his removal from the plans and script for this past Friday’s SmackDown show was a last minute decision by WWE officials. Those same sources also stated that his status in the company is currently not known.
In regards to Dupri’s character, it was reported that Vince McMahon had a very hands-on role with its creation going as far as being the producer for the Maximum Male Models debut segment. McMahon reportedly wanted Durpi to sound nothing like his former LA Knight character when it came to delivering promos.
In regards to his backstage heat, one source stated that the main cause revolved around him being vocal and had “ruffled some feathers with a couple of scripts” over what the writers had come up with for his character. Another source spoken to stated that McMahon’s retirement was the likely best thing to happen for Dupri since he still has some supporters within WWE’s management who praise his work and could end up reversing the decision on his removal from the group.