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The ongoing conflict between former Paradigm executive Nick Lopiccolo and wrestler Joey Janela has taken a more personal turn.
This situation ignited on January 27, 2026, when a Twitter user named Basque criticized Lopiccolo over a tweet he had deleted, suggesting that he was “getting away with unprofessional antics” that were tarnishing his dream job. Basque tagged both Lopiccolo and Janela, sharing a screenshot of Janela mocking Lopiccolo and making jabs about cocaine. The tweet read:
“What’s up, Mamba!?? Where are those tweets going? Get away with more unprofessional shenanigans?! Further tainting a dream job for someone like me? I would die for your former position.”
In response, Lopiccolo quickly stepped in to clarify the situation. He responded directly to Basque, detailing why he had deleted the tweets. Before sharing a screenshot, he wrote:
“Hello, I blocked you a long time ago because you are a bad actor on this platform. Here’s what happened: I was being attacked by Janela, whom I had never met, for ‘drugs’ and other matters that crossed the line for me.”
Lopiccolo mentioned that he reached out to Janela after the tweets persisted, aiming to resolve the tensions. He shared their direct messages publicly to illustrate that he had no desire to escalate the conflict. In their DMs, he expressed how personal the attack felt: “I have two kids. Wait a minute. We actually have a problem.”
Janela, however, didn’t hold back, responding with, “LOL. You’re already in trouble and need help.” Nevertheless, Lopiccolo attempted to keep things civil. “We’re both trolls. It’s okay. We don’t know each other.”
Yet Janela had one last barbed comment: “The difference between me and a troll is that you have more to lose than I do.” In the closing part of their exchange, Lopiccolo emphasized his disinterest in the online drama.
“I don’t like to get excited about talent. Any talent. That’s not my intention. Anyway, brother, I wish you the best of luck. Please don’t feel obligated to text or call.”
On January 28, Janela escalated the situation further, mocking Lopiccolo on Twitter again for revealing private messages and reiterating his drug allegations.
“I bet this Nick Lopiccolo has the best cocaine on the planet and is posting our DMs. I would never post it publicly myself, because he’s clearly a guy who needs help. You wouldn’t expect anything less from a guy who confides in a JD in NY. A total fucking weirdo.”
So far, AEW and Tony Khan have not commented on this incident or Lopiccolo’s earlier accusations about an alleged burner account tied to Khan. The situation has evolved beyond just political arguments, fueled by Lianella’s remarks and Lopiccolo’s attempts to maintain a low profile.
Was Joey Janela justified in his harsh remarks, or did Nick Lopiccolo deserve an opportunity to explain his side? Please refrain from commenting; I’d like to gather your perspectives on this escalating drama.
Fan Take: This situation touches on the fragility of public personas in wrestling and highlights the potential impact of personal conflicts on professional relationships within the industry. For fans, it emphasizes how off-screen drama can influence storylines and character developments, making the wrestling world all the more intriguing.
