WWE referee Daphanie LaShaunn became the subject of intense online harassment after a social media message about her grandmother’s death was wrongly interpreted by fans as a farewell to WWE. She initially posted a heartfelt statement saying,
“It’s not goodbye. It’s see ya later.💔”
This led some to believe she was departing from WWE, prompting rumors about her release, which LaShaunn promptly denied.
Clarifying the situation, she wrote,
“Bro I lost my grandma not everything is about wrestling good God!”
Despite this, the hostility worsened, with LaShaunn revealing she had received disturbing threats, some even targeting her grandmother’s grave. She shared,
“Never in my life did I think I would ever be harassed, threatened, and even be told they would spit on my grandmother’s grave… All because of a misinterpreted tweet and I said not everything is about wrestling… Y’all got it.💔 I’ll see y’all when I see y’all.✌🏾”
In a follow-up post, LaShaunn expressed frustration at the quickness of the backlash versus the lack of support for her routine posts and Twitch streams, stating,
“But also it’s not missed on me that yall jumped on this quick…..but where yall be at when it’s time to like my damn everyday tweets or hop on my twitch?! 👀👀👀👀 lemme get off this app bc im hurting lmfao.”
Lighthearted Moment at Jinder Mahal’s Wedding Shows Wrestling’s Real-Life Bonds
During Jinder Mahal’s wedding this summer, an amusing incident occurred involving WWE Superstars Drew McIntyre and Shanky. An elder family member of Mahal, who is also a devoted wrestling fan, confronted Shanky about his cheerful dancing with McIntyre. The family elder referenced their ongoing WWE storyline where McIntyre had attacked Shanky with steel chairs, questioning why Shanky would dance given that storyline.
Shanky explained the scripted nature of wrestling, easing the man’s concerns. Drew McIntyre initially thought the elder was genuinely upset, but after the situation was clarified, the three shared a laugh. Shanky recounted the event on the WrestleBinge podcast:
“Even Drew (McIntyre) was dancing. Suddenly, this elderly man comes and takes me to the side. He asked me why I was dancing when Drew hit me with steel chairs? I explained it’s part of a storyline. He asked me not to dance. He was a typical Punjabi. So I liked it too. He was from Jinder’s family. They all watch wrestling. I really liked this incident. So, later on, Drew thought this man was angry. I explained the situation and he laughed so hard. He went and apologized and said, ‘Sorry, it wasn’t my fault.’ That was great for me. I really enjoyed Jinder’s wedding.”
— Shanky, WWE Superstar
Shanky’s most recent WWE appearance was at the 2023 Superstar Spectacle in India, where he competed against GUNTHER.
The Miz Reflects on Cancelled 2011 WWE Title Tournament Plans
On the podcast Bussin’ With The Boys, The Miz opened up about the original booking of the 2011 WWE Championship tournament. This tournament was organized after CM Punk won the title at Money in the Bank and then abruptly left WWE, taking the championship with him. The company’s storyline famously involved a “paper champion” and placed the physical title belt inside a refrigerator to mock Punk’s departure.
The Miz revealed that he was initially set to win the tournament, defeating Rey Mysterio and then John Cena to claim the WWE Championship himself. He described the original plans as follows:
“CM Punk left the show and he took the title with him. They made up a ‘paper champion’ or whatever. They brought a championship and said, ‘He’s leaving the show. He’s gone.’ They put the title in a refrigerator; that was the big meme. They were going to have a tournament. I went up against Rey Mysterio. I was going to beat Rey Mysterio and then beat John Cena, so I would be the champion.”
— The Miz, WWE Superstar
However, the booking changed because the company preferred the tournament final to feature a battle of good versus bad characters, rather than two heroes. The Miz explained the reason for this shift:
“They switched it because usually we like babyface vs. heel. Bad guy vs. good guy. In this instance, it would have been babyface vs. babyface. ‘You need bad guy vs. good guy.’ I was the bad guy, but then, it was two huge monumental babyfaces that are Rey Mysterio and John Cena. Let them go at it. There was a moment there where I would have been a (two-time) champion.”
— The Miz, WWE Superstar
Context and Significance of the Miz’s Missed WWE Title Run
The Miz’s disclosure about his lost opportunity in the 2011 WWE Championship tournament adds a fascinating “what if” perspective to WWE history. Had the original plan gone through, The Miz could have become a two-time WWE Champion that year, a significant milestone that might have altered his career trajectory. This revelation helps fans understand the complexities behind WWE’s creative decisions, especially in moments of sudden change like CM Punk’s departure.
Moreover, remembering this incident highlights how wrestling storylines and real-life events frequently intertwine, affecting talent direction and fan expectations. The Miz’s reflection also provides insight into WWE’s preference for traditional story arcs featuring clear hero-versus-villain dynamics, even when plans might favor other characters.
Looking forward, this story may encourage WWE viewers to reconsider past booking choices and speculate on alternative narratives, while also appreciating how talent like The Miz adapts to evolving creative landscapes within the company.
Bro I lost my grandma not everything is about wrestling good God!
— Daphanie LaShaunn💅🏾✨🦓 (@RefBaeDaphWWE) September 16, 2025
But also it’s not missed on me that yall jumped on this quick…..but where yall be at when it’s time to like my damn everyday tweets or hop on my twitch?! 👀👀👀👀 lemme get off this app bc im hurting lmfao.
— Daphanie LaShaunn💅🏾✨🦓 (@RefBaeDaphWWE) September 16, 2025
Never in my life did I think I would ever be harassed, threatened, and even be told they would spit on my grandmothers grave….All bc of a misinterpreted tweet and I said not everything is about wrestling… Yall got it.💔 I’ll see y’all when I see yall.✌🏾
— Daphanie LaShaunn💅🏾✨🦓 (@RefBaeDaphWWE) September 16, 2025
