One MIND-BLOWING Secret From Every Year Of WWE History

3. 2022 - Authors Of Pain Were Re-Signed Two Years Before Re-Debuting

WWE's Deepest Secrets Vince McMahon
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Akam and Rezar enjoyed the sweet Lanny Poffo life for almost two full years. 

They’re on TV at time of writing/recording, as part of the Final Testament stable alongside Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux - but, as reported by the ever-reliable scoopster Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the team actually signed with WWE all the way back in 2022. 

That’s bonkers. 

Paul Levesque had a key recruitment strategy when he took over creative from Vince McMahon (who, before he returned, had resigned in disgrace) in the summer of 2022: re-sign everybody from NXT and go again. A bit like Harry Redknapp, only with worse players. He brought in Dexter Lumis, Top Dolla, and - until Vince McMahon returned, it would seem - also wanted to put the Authors of Pain on television. 

Were the Ascension too busy to pick up the phone? 

So, for absolutely ages, Akam and Rezar sat around and did the square root of f*ck all, authoring only a blank page. 

They did only slightly less than Lumis, who despite appearing on TV during this time was only paid to not blink.

 
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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!