Former WWE Superstar Snuck Backstage At AEW Event
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Former WWE Tough Enough winner Maven Huffman recently shared an entertaining video on his popular YouTube channel, documenting what he humorously portrayed as an attempt to "sneak" backstage at an AEW Collision event. The footage captures his journey through an All Elite Wrestling show in New Jersey.
In the video, despite not being an official AEW employee or possessing credentials for the event, Maven successfully navigated past an initial security checkpoint. He convinced a guard that he was part of the talent roster, thereby gaining access to the talent parking area.
Maven documented his exploration through the production and TV truck zone. He eventually entered the main backstage area of the AEW Collision taping.
Once inside, he had a friendly encounter with his old friend and former WWE colleague, Billy Gunn. The two veterans were seen reminiscing about their time working together at WrestleMania 18.
During his unauthorized tour, Maven also met several other AEW personalities. These included interactions with former AEW Women's World Champion Thunder Rosa and commentator Josh Mathews.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 11: A WWE logo is shown on a screen before a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was announced that WWE...
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 11: A WWE logo is shown on a screen before a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was announced that WWE wrestler Braun Strowman will face heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury and WWE champion Brock Lesnar will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at the WWE's Crown Jewel event at Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 31. More
He also showed viewers the wrestlers' monitor viewing area and the catering spread available to talent and staff. The entire venture was presented with a lighthearted and adventurous tone for his channel's content.
More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation
Maven Huffman first rose to prominence in the wrestling world as the co-winner of WWE's inaugural season of the reality competition series Tough Enough in 2001. This victory secured him a coveted WWE contract.
His most enduring WWE moment occurred early in his career at the 2002 Royal Rumble. As a rookie, Maven famously delivered a dropkick that sent The Undertaker over the top rope, shockingly eliminating the legend from the match.
This audacious act led to The Undertaker's brutal post-elimination assault but significantly elevated Maven's profile. It even propelled him to capture the WWF Hardcore Championship on three occasions, once by pinning The Undertaker on SmackDown with assistance from The Rock and Al Snow.
Throughout his WWE tenure, which lasted from 2001 to 2005, Maven was often cast as an underdog. He teamed with his former Tough Enough trainer Al Snow and had memorable interactions and matches against top-tier stars like Chris Jericho and Evolution, even challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Despite these notable moments, Maven was released from WWE in July 2005. He has since attributed his relatively short run to issues with immaturity at the time.
In recent years, Maven has experienced a resurgence in popularity through his candid YouTube channel.
More WWE News:
For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
18 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Who Is Luiza Rozova? Putin's Alleged Love Child Breaks Silence
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Elizaveta Krivonogikh, also known as Luiza Rozova, has gone public with sharp criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin—her alleged father—more than a year after vanishing from social media. Now living in Paris under a new name, she's distancing herself from the Kremlin and the luxury lifestyle she once displayed online. In a series of Telegram posts obtained by the German newspaper Bild, Krivonogikh wrote about a man "who took millions of lives and destroyed mine." The 22-year-old did not name Putin directly, but the reference was widely interpreted as her first public break with the Russian leader. "It's liberating to be able to show my face to the world again," she added. "It reminds me of who I am and who destroyed my life." A New Life in Paris Born in St. Petersburg in 2003, Krivonogikh has been long rumored to be the daughter of Putin and former cleaner Svetlana Krivonogikh. After Luiza's birth, her mother's financial fortunes rose sharply. While there has never been official confirmation of Putin's paternity, Krivonogikh's patronymic—Vladimirovna—and past investigative reports have fueled speculation for years. In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits the Valaam Monastery on Valaam island in the northern portion of Lake Ladoga, on August 1, 2025. On right,... In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits the Valaam Monastery on Valaam island in the northern portion of Lake Ladoga, on August 1, 2025. On right, Elizaveta Krivonogikh. More Getty Images / Telegram She once posted regularly on Instagram, sharing photos of private jets, elite nightclubs and designer fashion. But her account disappeared around the time Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Now, according to multiple reports, she goes by Elizaveta Rudnova and works at two Paris art galleries—L Galerie in Belleville and Espace Albatros in Montreuil—both known for hosting anti-war exhibitions. She graduated from the ICART School of Cultural and Art Management in 2024 and helps organize shows and produce video content. Caught Between Politics Krivonogikh's new life has not been without controversy. Russian artist Nastya Rodionova, who fled Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, ended her collaboration with both galleries after learning of Krivonogikh's involvement. "It is inadmissible to allow a person who comes from a family of beneficiaries of the regime to come into confrontation with the victims of that regime," Rodionova said in a public statement. Krivonogikh defended herself, asking, "Am I really responsible for the activities of my family, who can't even hear me?" Some in the Paris art community have supported her. Dmitry Dolinsky, who runs the association that oversees both galleries, told Bild: "She looks like Putin, but so do 100,000 other people. I haven't seen a DNA test." Others described her as cultured and committed to her work. Her mother was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in 2023 over her ties to Putin's inner circle. Krivonogikh has since traded designer labels for activism, signaling a full break from the image she once embraced. "My life is ruined," she wrote recently, referencing the man she holds responsible for both personal and national destruction. She now appears focused on rebuilding her identity—and making it clear that she wants no part of the legacy she inherited.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Brock Lesnar lawsuit, explained: Why his WWE 'comeback' is controversial
The biggest news that came out of WWE SummerSlam 2025? The return of Brock Lesnar, the wrestling star who also fought in MMA and who has won multiple WWE titles. Lesnar had been last seen in 2023 after a loss to Cody Rhodes. This time? He attacked John Cena. But that surprise appearance brought along some controversy with it, which ignited the moment he set foot into the ring at MetLife Stadium. We're here to explain all that as wrestling fans everywhere are buzzing about what they saw on Sunday night. Let's dive into why Brock Lesnar's comeback dredged up some controversy with it: What is the lawsuit that Brock Lesnar is allegedly involved in? Per USA TODAY Sports: In January 2024, former WWE employee Janel Grant sued [Vince] McMahon, alleging the wrestling company's founder took part in sex trafficking and put her through sexual acts that were done with "extreme cruelty and degradation." Lesnar is mentioned in the lawsuit as someone that McMahon offered sexual encounters to with Grant. Were there any other details about Brock Lesnar in the Vince McMahon lawsuit? Just this, per ESPN, Grant also claimed "McMahon demanded she create 'personalized sexual content' for Lesnar in July 2021, at a time McMahon was attempting to keep Lesnar under contract with the WWE." Is Brock Lesnar being sued? No. This is the federal lawsuit against McMahon and the WWE. But his name appears in there as you can see. What has Brock Lesnar said about the lawsuit and allegations? Nothing officially yet.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Becky Lynch Upset With Seth Rollins' Controversial WWE Decision
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The new World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, has revealed the intricate details behind what he is calling the "Ruse of the Century." On Monday, Rollins confirmed that his recent, career-threatening knee injury was a complete fabrication, a three-week deception designed to facilitate his shocking Money in the Bank cash-in at SummerSlam. Rollins appeared on The Rich Eisen Show to gloat about his masterful plan. His appearance came less than 48 hours after he cashed in on CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship at the conclusion of SummerSlam Night One. Seth Rollins Executing The "Ruse of the Century" Rollins explained the elaborate lengths he went to in order to sell the fake injury. He revealed that even his wife, fellow WWE superstar Becky Lynch, was an "unwilling participant" in the scheme. "She was very upset at me for making me lie to all of her friends and family for the better part of three weeks," Rollins said (H/T to Fightful). "I said, 'Honey, just trust me, the payoff will be great.'" He also shared a humorous story about his young daughter, Roux, almost blowing his cover. "First thing she did was go and tell her preschool teacher, Ms. Joy, immediately," he laughed. "Thank you, Roux, thank you, Ms. Joy." He noted that the three weeks of limping around on crutches was "excruciating," but worth it for the "greater good." NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins attend the 2019 Global Citizen Festival: Power The Movement in Central Park on September 28, 2019 in New York City. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins attend the 2019 Global Citizen Festival: Power The Movement in Central Park on September 28, 2019 in New York Global Citizen A Masterclass In Deception By Seth Rollins Rollins' plan is a modern example of a "worked shoot" injury, a classic wrestling angle designed to blur the lines between reality and storyline. The ruse began at the Saturday Night's Main Event premium live event on July 12, where he faked the knee injury during a match with LA Knight, leading to an unplanned loss. In the weeks that followed, reports confirmed the "legitimacy" of the injury, and he was even seen on crutches in a video posted by his wife. The entire wrestling world was convinced he would be out for months. This masterful deception is reminiscent of Mark Henry's famous fake retirement speech in 2013, and it has cemented Rollins' reputation as a cunning strategist. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match The Heist Part II The shocking cash-in at SummerSlam is also a direct callback to the most iconic moment of Rollins' career. At WrestleMania 31 in 2015, he created the "Heist of the Century" when he cashed in his first Money in the Bank contract during the main event. This "Ruse of the Century" is the perfect spiritual successor, further cementing his legacy as the greatest Money in the Bank holder of all time. The target of the ruse, CM Punk, makes the moment even more significant. The deep, personal animosity between Rollins and Punk is well-documented, and this elaborate, three-week deception was the ultimate way for Rollins to deny his nemesis his fairytale championship moment. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
