Maxxine Dupri detailed the breaking point with Alpha Academy after turning heel to join The Vision, claiming Otis and Akira Tozawa abandoned her during her title feuds and never chose to support her the way Austin Theory has.
The Raw star explained the personal and professional calculation behind her turn on Complex Graps.
Dupri aligned with The Vision on the July 6 episode of Monday Night Raw, interfering in the WWE World Tag Team Championship match to help Bron Breakker and Austin Theory regain the titles from The Street Profits.
With Logan Paul distracting the referee, Dupri delivered a low blow to Angelo Dawkins that let Theory score the pin. She then jumped into Theory’s arms and kissed him. It was The Vision’s second reign with the belts.
Why Dupri Walked Away From Alpha Academy
Dupri framed the switch as a matter of self-preservation after years of being overlooked. She said her former partners were never there when she needed them.
It just got to a point where I had to choose me. I’ve been choosing them for years, and that hasn’t gotten me anywhere,” Dupri said.
Also, let’s not forget, all those times when Becky (Lynch) was getting disqualified and purposely doing things so that I couldn’t win the title, where were they? Were they ever ringside for me? So, I had to do that on my own, and then, when I lost it, thanks to Nattie, where were they? So to me, it’s like, it’s not personal; it’s just about me choosing me but no one has been choosing me. Literally no one, and Austin (Theory) has chosen me so I’m choosing him and I’m choosing Maxxine.
The grievances tie directly to recent storylines. Dupri referenced her Women’s Intercontinental Championship feud with Becky Lynch and the moment Natalya turned on her in Belfast, situations where she says Otis and Tozawa were nowhere to be found.
Choosing Theory And The Vision
Dupri made no secret of her reasons for gravitating toward Theory and the group, pointing to both attraction and ambition.
I mean, so much has changed, so much has happened in the past year, the past six months. I won my first title. I lost my first title. I lost a lot of opportunities,” Dupri said.
I wasn’t being given opportunities. I was continuing to be overlooked, but, not by Austin (Theory) of course, and I think I just came to a point where at some point, you have to choose yourself and I chose me and I did what needed to be done.
She added: “I mean, have you seen him? The answer’s pretty clear, and I wanna be with the best of the best. You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with and so, I’m gonna surround myself with the best.
In a backstage segment after the win, Paul Heyman credited Dupri for The Vision’s victory. More on Dupri’s turn and The Vision’s tag title win can be found here.
