Former WWE United States Champion Logan Paul recently opened up on how early fame and fortune negatively impacted his character.
Speaking on the School of Hard Knocks YouTube channel, Paul He admitted that the money and success went to his head during his rise to stardom. He reflected on his career and the huge financial success he achieved at a young age.
‘The Maverick’ then revealed that one of his biggest years was when he bagged around $50 million, with earnings even higher during his peak.
When asked whether that level of success ever went to his head, Paul didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah, I did. It wasn’t good. How can it not get to your head, bro? I was 22 years old, and I made over $50 million in a single year. I thought I was invincible, but I wasn’t.”
Paul’s early years were frequently defined by backlash and controversy, but he says he has since matured considerably from those experiences. He has expanded his career across multiple industries, including his work as an active WWE performer and entrepreneur.
Coming out of WrestleMania 41, one of the biggest stories in WWE was the emergence of The Vision. Seth Rollins was newly heel, aligned with Paul Heyman, and taking Bron Breakker under his wing, all of which was exciting and promised a great deal of intrigue with a new heel faction positioned on top of the Raw brand.
The year to follow was largely defined by injuries, which were beyond the control of the group members or WWE creative. The booking too, however, hasn’t necessarily done this stable many favors. With over a year of the Vision being realized in WWE, it’s time to evaluate how well the group has served each of its members.
Seth Rollins: C+
Seth Rollins. Photo: WWE
Seth Rollins winning the Saturday main event of WrestleMania 41 felt like a career milestone as he moved to 2-1 in ‘Mania main event scenarios and won his first more conventional outing in this context—a Triple Threat in which he was on his own that didn’t involve him joining mid-match via Money in the Bank cash-in.
Speaking of Money in the Bank, Rollins won that too for the second time in his career and worked a legitimately shocking angle when he faked an injury and cashed in on CM Punk at SummerSlam. At Crown Jewel, The Visionary beat Cody Rhodes in a champion vs. champion showdown. So, for that half-year stretch from April to October, there was reason to think his time atop The Vision might actually succeed at elevating Rollins to a new echelon of stardom, or at least be in the running for the best stretches of his career.
The wheels came off when Rollins had to relinquish the title due to a legitimate injury, and WWE ran a nonsensical angle of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed turning on him in the process. The group was left without a leader and Rollins suffered from the passive style of babyface turn—a heel whose heel buddies turn on him—that so rarely leads to success. Masked man drama to follow felt more confusing and redundant than intriguing.
And now, going into Summer 2026, Rollins finds himself in an uneasy tag team alliance with Montez Ford against Breakker and Austin Theory. It’s hard to see any argument that The Architect is in better standing than he was before launching this faction. Indeed, even moments like him putting over Breakker at Backlash really felt like they did less to put over the young upstart than to further damage the established star.
Bron Breakker: C-
Bron Breakker becoming Seth Rollins’s first ally, under the tutelage of Paul Heyman in April 2025 made all the sense in the world. Breakker had looked like a dominant force for much of his freshman year on the main roster and had quite arguably outgrown the Intercontinental Championship picture by the time he dropped the title in a four-way bout that kept him protected at WrestleMania 41. Teaming up with Rollins offered a clear route for Breakker himself to advance to the main event level while sitting beneath the real-life learning trees of Rollins and Heyman alike.
One of the pitfalls of faction membership is that there’s a real risk of anyone but the group leader coming across as a sidekick or fall guy. While Breakker has certainly had his moments, he never enjoyed any career advancement as a heater for Rollins. From there, after Rollins left the group, Breakker felt less like the new leader than one part of a thoroughly mid-card stable.
Indeed, one of the most telling images of The Unpredictable Badass’s run with The Vision may well have come at Clash in Italy, where he was pictured in the crowd alongside Austin Theory as tag team champions. It’s a title Breakker never really won (subbing in for an injured Logan Paul). Moreover, being positioned as Theory’s tag partner positions Breakker a clear step back from where he had been when he first joined The Vision, and arguably even further back than he had stood when he reigned as NXT Champion before even making it to the main roster.
Bronson Reed: B-
Bronson Reed has had the misfortune of catching the injury bug each time he looks poised to advance from the upper mid-card to the fringes of the main event scene. The optics of him running alongside Bron Breakker as dual monsters in The Vision had potential, but mostly saw both men stall out in the upper mid-card before Reed wound up hurt again.
Reed went on the injured list at a plateau, and the absolute best that can be said about his Vision run to date is that he maintained his position on the roster, perhaps interacting with main event guys a smidge more for backing Rollins and returning to War Games.
The master of the Tsunami has one of the murkiest futures of Vision members, though, when he does return to action. Simply returning to the fold of the group will all but certainly make it feel like he and the faction alike are spinning their wheels. Feuding against them doesn’t necessarily make sense either, though. Indeed, the best thing for Aus-Zilla would probably be for the faction to dissolve before he gets back or else to move away from them to SmackDown to get a fresh start.
Austin Theory: A-
The Vision hasn’t done its members, nor its rivals many favors. Indeed, the one man with a real case for having benefited is Austin Theory.
Theory’s peak, to date, saw him win Money in the Bank, reign as United States Champion, and beat John Cena at WrestleMania 39. The years to follow saw him slide, arguably improving as an in-ring talent, but toiling in a forgettable tag team alliance with Grayson Waller.
Theory being revealed as a masked man helping The Vision gave him a small boost back into relevance and affiliating with the group has given him a role on TV and a number of PLEs. In the end, Theory seems to, himself, be emblematic of the faction he’s enrolled in—a competent mid-card and tag team guy with no clear signs of advancing to a new level, but at least his roster spot has felt a little surer for having run with the group and recaptured tag team gold.
Logan Paul: D
Logan Paul at SNME. Photo: WWE.com
Logan Paul was an anomaly in WWE—a celebrity part-timer who took to WWE so naturally and was so well-positioned that he absolutely thrived throughout his first three years-plus working with WWE. Indeed, after Paul made the leap to wrestling full time, it seemed altogether reasonable that colleagues and pundits speculated about his future as a world champion.
That future may well still be in play for The Maverick, but wrestling full time, including weekly TV spots that are not designed as showcase matches for him, has exposed some of Paul’s limitations. Indeed, while he once was a reasonably credible one-off challenger to the likes of Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes as WWE Champions, now it’s hard to think of Paul as much other than a tag team role player for whom another US title reign or a run with the Intercontinental Championship feels like a reach.
Paul is out now due to injury and that actually may be the best thing for him to keep learning away from the ring and out of the spotlight, but also to hit the reset button on his character. Yes, Paul had the makings of a compelling Paul Heyman guy given all his tools, but The Vision wasn’t paving the road for him to feel like a top guy to fans. Starting over once he’s cleared could help Paul get the stink of The Vision off him as he moves on to better things.
Paul Heyman: D
Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman. Photo: WWE.com
Paul Heyman is in the conversation among the greatest managers of all time. His most recent faction work with The Bloodline prior to The Vision highlighted just how much he brought to the table as an on-screen talker and a behind-the-scenes creative contributor alike. The Vision, however, may have exposed Heyman’s limitations.
As much as injuries and uneven creative are probably the biggest culprits in The Vision’s failings, it’s a black mark for The Oracle that he hasn’t been able to better salvage this group or its collective angles. Indeed, while there was so much reason for optimism about Heyman mentoring Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed in particular to new heights, in reality, the whole stable has stumbled. A backdrop of Heyman cutting above-average promos hasn’t been enough to retain crowd investment.
It may be most telling of all that, while Heyman has been involved with Brock Lesnar since his return last year and Lesnar was a part of The Vision’s War Games team at Survivor Series, The Beast has never actually been presented as a proper part of the faction.
A generous perspective would suggest Lesnar just doesn’t fit the ethos of the group, and is a side client of Heyman’s. A more critical point of view, however, would suggest WWE recognizes The Vision as a sinking ship. They’ve patched holes to keep that ship at sea, arguably long past its true viability, but the company has no interest in dragging down a property as valuable as Lesnar along with them.
Maxxine Dupri: Incomplete
Photo Credit: WWE
Recent weeks have seen WWE hint at Maxxine Dupri being a part of The Vision and specifically attached to Austin Theory. The concept has merit for Dupri, Theory, and arguably the group on the whole. Each of them could use a boost. A heel turn feels fresh for Dupri and the addition of a femme fatale at Theory’s side gives him something different, besides which adding a female member to the faction will at least take them in a new direction. Faction warfare could be on the table opposite The Judgment Day, for example, or perhaps a reinvigorated American Made in the wake of Chad Gable dropping the Original El Grande Americano gimmick out of a widely celebrated AAA match.
Without Dupri officially joining The Vision as of press time, it’s unfair to evaluate how the group will impact her or how she’ll impact the group. Nonetheless, if WWE is going to continue running with this group, there’s reason for optimism her membership will mark at least a small step in the right direction.
Overall Grade: C-
In the end, for all its shortcomings and misfortune, it’s not fair to call The Vision a complete failure. The early months of the group’s run were entertaining and did some small favors for Seth Rollins. Austin Theory has enjoyed some small career progress since his enrollment, and Maxxine Dupri’s involvement with him and the faction has promise.
That said, the long-term arc of The Vision to date has set back Rollins, at best kept Bronson Reed in place, hurt Logan Paul’s standing, and dinged Paul Heyman’s legacy. Worst of all, where Bron Breakker once looked like a breakout main event inevitability, he’s now a young star in need of rehabilitation if he’s ever going to be taken seriously at the top of the card.
WWE announced on this Monday’s Raw that The Vision star had suffered an injury during Saturday Night’s Main Event and he will be out for months. The YouTuber then shared photos on social media later in the week, confirming that he had undergone surgery for torn triceps.
The 31-year-old provided some more details about the whole situation on the latest episode of his vlog. Logan Paul revealed that the injury occurred while Angelo Dawkins of Street Profits jumped on his arm during the bout:
“When [Angelo] Dawkins jumped on me. My arm got kind of caught here, like pinched. I was too far back, so when I caught him, he didn’t roll over me. He kind of landed on me, and I folded onto myself.”
The latest Saturday Night’s Main Event saw the Vision successfully retaining the tag team titles against Street Profits. On Raw, Paul Heyman confirmed that the titles will continue to be defended under freebird rule, with Bron Breakker stepping in to team with Austin Theory in the absence of his usual partner.
Logan Paul noted that he was not expecting the hardship in his life to come in form of ‘Dawkins’ fat ass.’ The former US Champion also suspected that a curse from Danhausen might be the reason for his injury:
“You know, there comes a point in every man’s life where they’re faced with hardship and unexpected hardship. I didn’t expect Dawkins’ fat ass to send my tricep hurtling into the ground, forcing my arm to flex too hard with too much weight and pop my triceps. I felt it. I’m starting to think the cursing [from Danhausen] might be real. Some weird stuff’s been going on.”
A timetable for Paul’s return to the ring has not been revealed by WWE at the moment. The usual recovery time for a torn triceps is somewhere between 4 to 6 months, so it’s likely that Logan will miss the upcoming SummerSlam PPV.
Logan Paul has undergone surgery for his torn triceps and says he plans to return to WWE in a couple of weeks despite doctors projecting a six-month recovery.
Paul shared the update on Instagram following the injury he suffered at Saturday Night’s Main Event during a successful World Tag Team Championship defense alongside Austin Theory against The Street Profits.
“Tore my tricep, got surgery while wide awake, told doc I wanna feel it all. Still the Tag Team champ just FYI. They’re telling me 6 month recovery but I don’t believe them, I’ll be back in a couple weeks with some Prime shake. Good news I can still rip packs. Keep that title warm for me.”
The injury occurred near the end of the SNME match while Paul took a dive from Angelo Dawkins. Michael Cole announced on Raw commentary that Paul would be out of action for months. Bron Breakker has been named as his replacement tag team partner for Austin Theory during his absence, with The Vision retaining the championships.
Theory responded on Raw by attacking Dawkins and assaulting Joe Hendry, who had been performing a concert in the ring mocking Paul.
Breakker is only weeks removed from his own injury layoff, having undergone hernia surgery on the road to WrestleMania 42 before returning at the event.
Logan Paul has suffered a torn triceps and will be out of action for months, WWE announced on Monday’s Raw.
The injury occurred during Paul’s World Tag Team Championship defense against The Street Profits at Saturday Night’s Main Event, specifically on a spot involving a dive from Angelo Dawkins. Paul is the latest member of The Vision to suffer a significant injury since the group’s formation following WrestleMania 41.
Backstage on Raw, Austin Theory asked Paul Heyman what to do with the World Tag Team Title. Heyman’s solution was straightforward — Bron Breakker would step in as Theory’s new tag team partner. Theory, energized by the news, vowed to go after those responsible for Paul’s injury. Heyman told him he knew exactly who to target.
Theory then made good on the threat, repeatedly attacking Joe Hendry with a steel chair while Hendry was singing his “Fire Logan Paul” song in the ring.
The Vision has been plagued by injuries since its formation. Seth Rollins was written out of the group after tearing his rotator cuff last October and only returned weeks before WrestleMania 42. Bron Breakker underwent hernia surgery that kept him out until WrestleMania weekend. Bronson Reed remains sidelined after tearing his bicep in February.
? Michael Cole confirma que Logan Paul sufrió una rotura de tríceps y estará fuera de acción durante VARIOS MESES, por esta acción con Angelo Dawkins durante Saturday Night's Main Event.
Logan Paul recently revealed that a handful of WWE stars initially disliked him when he joined the company in 2022 due to the special treatment he received and his rapid rise to prominence. One-half of the WWE World Tag Team Champion made the admission in a backstage vlog filmed during WWE Raw in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Paul debuted in WWE at WrestleMania 38 on April 3, 2022, and quickly became featured in high-profile matches and major storylines despite coming from outside the wrestling industry. His fast track to the top drew resentment from some roster members who had worked years to reach similar positions.
Logan Paul Claims Spot Next To Roman Reigns and Triple H
In the vlog posted to his YouTube channel, ‘The Maverick’ walked through the backstage area and pointed out his locker room location near Roman Reigns and WWE CCO Triple H. He used the placement to illustrate the privileges he received early in his WWE tenure.
“Just to give everyone in the WWE Universe an idea of how it works backstage. They tend to put the greats together, the best of the best. We kind of usually have our own little alley, our own little section. Like you can see me here. Then just across the hall here, Roman Reigns, of course. And then, you know, our boss, the big man himself, Paul Levesque,” Paul said.
“But I think when I got in the WWE, a lot of my peers disliked me because, you know, I was good. And because I was good, quickly, I got privileges like a giant green room next to the big dogs. But I think now, you know, it’s like tag team champion, member of the most dominant faction in the WWE, future Hall of Famer type sh*t.”
Paul also called himself WWE’s biggest entrepreneur and biggest star during the vlog.
“Only real paper billionaire, WWE’s biggest entrepreneur, and to be honest with you, I’ll just say it, biggest star. But it’s not all about followers. It’s about drive. It’s about power. It actually is my followers,” he said.
Over time, many wrestlers have come to respect the effort Paul has put into learning the business and his in-ring performances, though his comments suggest the initial reception was far from welcoming.
Jake Paul recently revealed that TKO Group Holdings has banned him from attending WWE events where his brother Logan Paul wrestles.
The boxing promoter and content creator disclosed the prohibition during an appearance on Undefeated & Undisputed, attributing it to the ongoing feud between his promotion Most Valuable Promotions and UFC.
TKO Group Holdings serves as the parent company for both WWE and UFC, creating a direct conflict with Paul’s combat sports promotion. As per ‘The Problem Child,’ the ban stems from MVP’s public criticism of UFC practices, particularly regarding fighter compensation. He explained:
“I think it’s definitely in the name of entertainment. However, there is truth in it and there are points and some certain facts that I would like to see pushed through. Like the UFC fighter minimum pay being $12,000, that needs a rise. There is all these like things in it that are serious.”
Jake Paul Addresses TKO Rivalry
Paul characterized the situation as evidence of how deeply MVP has affected the organization.
“The fact that the one of the biggest organizations in the world, the TKO group has this major beef with me. They won’t even let me go be in my brother’s WWE matches because they hate me so much,” he stated. “So it’s pretty wild how much under their skin we are.”
Despite the corporate tensions, Paul maintained a lighthearted perspective on the rivalry.
“To me, it’s just been a fun journey. I enjoy s*** talk. Like when people make fun of me. I’m easy to make fun of. I’m able to make fun of myself. So the beef, to me, is just fun and entertaining for everybody,” he continued.
Former WWE United States Champion Logan Paul recently revealed details about his first encounter with Vince McMahon before signing with WWE. He described an awkward pitch session where the former WWE Chairman remained silent throughout his entire presentation.
Speaking on the What’s Your Story? podcast with Stephanie McMahon, Paul explained that WWE’s initial interest stemmed from his massive social media following and ability to attract new audiences to the product.
“Part of the reason WWE originally hired me was because I had a social presence—followers online. You guys do this—you bring in outsiders, bring in an audience.”
The Silent Pitch Meeting
‘The Maverick’ recalled walking into WWE HQ with a clear vision focused on creating viral moments. However, McMahon’s reaction during the pitch left him completely uncertain about whether his ideas were connecting.
“I went to the office to pitch your dad my ideas—what I could bring to WWE and how I thought I could add value. This was before WrestleMania. I was like, ‘These are my ideas—this is what I want to do. I’m big into making moments.’ I pitched him what I considered innovative, viral ideas. For me, it was all about virality. I talked for like 15 minutes in this meeting, and Vince didn’t say a word. He was just nodding, and I’m like, ‘Dude, am I resonating? Does he even know what I’m saying?’”
The silence made Paul question whether he was even speaking the same language as the WWE boss. After leaving the meeting, a WWE representative confirmed his concerns.
Doubts After the Meeting
“I really wasn’t sure—I felt like I was speaking a foreign language. We talked, then I talked to my WWE rep. I walked out, and she was like, ‘I don’t think he understood a word you said’.”
That feedback left Paul doubting his chances of landing a WWE contract.
“I was like, ‘I know—damn.’ I was like, ‘I wonder if he’s even going to hire me,’ but apparently it downloaded some way.”
Despite the awkward first impression, Paul signed with WWE and became one of the company’s biggest crossover stars. His journey from that confusing initial pitch to becoming a featured performer demonstrates how WWE saw potential beyond the presentation itself.
It’s official. WWE General Manager Adam Pearce booked the six-man tag team match for WrestleMania 42 during tonight’s Raw from the Toyota Center in Houston.
IShowSpeed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory will face The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and LA Knight at the two-night event on April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The announcement came after Speed appeared on tonight’s show and once again inserted himself into the feud between The Vision and Knight. Speed assisted Theory during his singles match against Knight, making his alignment with The Vision unmistakable after weeks of claiming the brass knuckles incident was an accident.
From Rumor to Reality
The match had been rumored since last week after Dave Meltzer reported it was listed on internal WWE documents. The build began on the March 30 RAW at Madison Square Garden, when Speed accidentally struck Knight with brass knuckles during a World Tag Team Championship Street Fight.
Speed’s only prior in-ring experience came during the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble, where he replaced an injured Akira Tozawa and was memorably speared by Bron Breakker. He also completed a training session at the WWE Performance Center with Randy Orton for his YouTube series, where he developed a moonsault finisher called “The Speed Drop.”
The World Tag Team Championships are expected to be on the line in the six-man tag, though WWE has not confirmed that stipulation. WrestleMania 42 airs live from Allegiant Stadium on April 18-19.
Tonight’s episode of Raw featured a chaotic tag team championship match with The Usos defending the title against Logan Paul and Austin Theory in a Street Fight. LA Knight sat at the ringside for this bout while Speed and Paul’s mom were also in attendance.
The champs looked to be in control of the bout after they put Theory through a table, but they failed to get the pin. Logan then went to his mom, who pulled out the Brass Knuckles from her purse. Before Paul could do anything, however, LA Knight attacked him from behind.
Logan Paul tried to grab onto Speed for support, but all he managed to do was pull the fellow YouTuber over the barricade and into the action. Speed grabbed the Brass Knuckles as Paul went down. He was contemplating what to do next when Knight reached for him from behind, leading to the YouTuber inadvertently knocking him out with the weapon.
The Vision star then got hold of the Knuckles again, and he managed to hit Jimmy Uso when the high-flying star was attempting a dive. Jey took out Logan as a result, but the distraction allowed Theory to get the pin on an unconscious Jimmy.
The new tag champs were seen celebrating the victory with Speed later in the night. The YouTuber star was worried about the turn of events, and Paul told him that he had enemies in WWE now, suggesting that his involvement with the company was not over.
Former WWE United States Champion Logan Paul issued a challenge to box NFL players, but that was blocked by WWE Management. The news comes as Paul issued a $1 million challenge to any current NFL player willing to face him in the boxing ring.
Several active NFL players, including Dion Dawkins, Brock Hoffman, and Kingsley Suamataia, responded positively to the challenge. Logan Paul addressed the challenge on X.
WWE Blocks Logan Paul From Boxing NFL Players
WWE Management contacted Logan Paul during a livestream and ordered him to cease pursuing the boxing match. During the call, the WWE official stated:
“One, we don’t want you to get injured,” It’s just unnecessary risk, like you don’t know if you slip, you fall. We don’t want to risk any injury… we just would prefer for you not to be boxing.”
Paul insisted that there was “no risk” and despite his claim that “these guys cannot box,” the executive asserted that the company would not grant him its approval for “extracurricular activities” unrelated to the wrestling brand.
\’The Maverick\’ then agreed to the directive from the official at the end of the call, stating:
“At the end of the day, I’m a WWE superstar and my loyalty is with the WWE. If I do not have their blessing to do some extracurricular activities that are unrelated to the WWE like boxing, as much as I would love to do it, I gotta honor my job and my commitment to my profession.”
Logan Paul got a call from the WWE saying he’s not allowed to box any NFL players ?
“I’m not gonna get injured. These guys can’t box, they’re football players. There’s no risk.” pic.twitter.com/DxFItZz1dy
The Elimination Chamber PPV tonight saw Logan Paul dominating the match after a lot of initial punishment. He got three back-to-back eliminations in the form of Je\’Von Evans, LA Knight, and Trick Williams.
A masked man showed up at ringside and started climbing the steel structure after this but he was quickly taken out by the security. Adam Pearce pulled his mask off and he was revealed to be another unknown name not associated with WWE.
This wasn\’t the last surprise of the night, as yet another man dressed in all black showed up after this, gaining entry into the Chamber.
The new man delivered a stomp to Logan Paul, allowing Cody Rhodes to pin the former US Champion. The guy then removed his mask to reveal himself as none other than Seth Rollins.
The Architect stared down at The American Nightmare for a second before retreating through the crowd as the match continued. It\’s unknown if Rollins has been cleared for action fully, or we will have to wait some more before he can compete in a match. You can check out the details of the unexpected ending to the Chamber here.
WWE had made a singles match between The Maverick and Jacob Fatu to determine the final contestant for the upcoming cage match after Jey Uso was attacked by a mystery assailant before this week\’s episode of SmackDown.
The match that main-evented the PPV go-home show was going in the direction everyone expected when Paul Heyman and Austin Theory interfered in the bout and the masked man once again showed up to cause a distraction.
This time, however, Logan Paul was able to get a shot at the mystery person. The former US Champion went on to pull his mask off, but the face behind it was not anyone from the current WWE roster. He was then taken away by the security.
Fatu looked to take advantage of this situation. He almost had the match won when Logan got back into the ring but Drew McIntyre showed up at the last minute and delivered a cheap shot to Jacob.
The show finally ended with Logan Paul picking up the victory and earning himself the final spot in the Elimination Chamber match. He will now compete against Je\’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and LA Knight for a shot at Drew McIntyre\’s WWE title at WrestleMania 42.
WWE Superstar Logan Paul has addressed the controversy surrounding his ownership of the PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card after it sold for a staggering $16,492,000 at Goldin Auctions on Saturday night, setting the Guinness World Record for the most expensive trading card ever sold.
The sale, which took place during a livestream from Goldin Auctions headquarters in Kenilworth, New Jersey, saw 97 total bids over several hours of extended bidding.
The final price more than tripled what Paul originally paid for the card — approximately $5.275 million — when he acquired it from a Dubai-based collector in 2021.
The winning bidder appeared on stage with Paul and Ken Goldin after the auction, revealing plans for a \”planetary treasure hunt\” that includes acquiring a T-Rex fossil and a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence.
However, the celebration was immediately overshadowed by backlash from fans and critics who raised questions about Paul\’s ownership of the card and the fate of fractional investors who had purchased stakes through Liquid Marketplace, a platform Paul co-founded in 2022.
Logan Paul Addresses the Controversy
In a statement posted after the sale, Paul laid out his version of events to clear the air.
\”I had originally offered to sell up to 51% of the Illustrator on Liquid Marketplace but ultimately only 5.4% of the card was sold for about $270k in the Summer of 2022 to fractional owners associated with LM,\” Paul wrote.
What an epic night. I’m truly grateful for the Pokémon community, Ken Goldin, and my team for making last night a historic moment for the hobby.
To address concerns regarding the ownership history of the card, now for the facts:
I had originally offered to sell up to 51% of the…
Paul stated that he bought the card back in May 2024 for the same price it was sold for, per the terms of the platform, and that funds were made available for users to withdraw. He claims many fractional owners did withdraw their funds during the approximately one year that followed.
\”For reasons outside of my control, the LM site then went offline,\” Paul continued. \”When I learned users could no longer withdraw their funds on LM\’s site, I personally paid to get the site back up.\”
Paul directed users to liquidmarketplace.io to withdraw their funds and stated they had been notified via email.
The Bigger Picture
The controversy runs deeper than Paul\’s statement suggests. The Ontario Securities Commission accused Liquid Marketplace of operating a \”multi-layered fraud\” in June 2024, alleging that top executives — CEO Ryan Bahadori, CTO Amin Nikdel, and former CFO Dennis Domazet — diverted approximately $3 million of investor funds for personal use. Paul was not named in the OSC\’s proceedings, which are expected to be heard in June 2026.
The OSC also alleged that Liquid Marketplace sold $2.7 million in tokens that it claimed were unregistered securities, and that the platform falsely told buyers those tokens represented legal ownership in underlying collectibles. YouTube investigator Coffeezilla had also been looking into the platform before Paul filed a defamation lawsuit against him in 2024.
Critics on social media were not satisfied with Paul\’s explanation. Many called for the fractional owners to be compensated based on the card\’s $16.5 million sale price rather than their original investment amount, arguing they should share in the massive appreciation given they were sold ownership stakes years ago.
Paul closed his statement by calling the sale \”bittersweet\” and thanking the Pokémon community, Ken Goldin, and his team for making it \”a historic moment for the hobby.\”
\”Congrats to the buyer for an iconic purchase the entire world will remember,\” Paul wrote. \”Although bittersweet, I was proud to be a steward of the greatest collectible in the world for the last 5 years.\”
The full-time WWE Superstar, who performs on Monday Night RAW as a member of The Vision alongside Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Austin Theory, noted during his livestream that he needed to get some sleep after the auction because he was heading straight to Memphis for tonight\’s episode of RAW.
Logan Paul posted an emotional farewell to his record-breaking PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card on Saturday, with the Goldin Auctions sale set to close during a live stream on his YouTube channel Sunday night at 9 PM EST.
\”Goodbye my friend,\” Paul wrote on X. \”What a privilege it\’s been to be the owner of the greatest collectible in the world. From Guinness World Records to WWE debuts, Netflix to National News, this card and I have been on a generational run.\”
The WWE Superstar, who put the card up for auction through Goldin in January, said Sunday\’s live stream would also feature over $1.5 million worth of Pokémon boxes being opened. Bidding on the card currently sits at $5.1 million with the buyer\’s premium pushing the total past $6.3 million, already surpassing the $5.275 million Paul paid for the card in 2021.
Paul compared parting with the card to a Pokémon game milestone, writing, \”This sorta feels like that moment when you beat the Elite Four, get inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the game restarts. As this Grail changes hands, I\’m excited to go on my next Pokémon journey.\”
The 1998 Pikachu Illustrator is the only copy to receive a perfect PSA 10 grade out of an estimated 41 in existence. Paul originally acquired it in a private deal that included his PSA 9 version plus $4 million in cash, earning a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold. He later rejected a $10.2 million private offer to keep the card in the Goldin auction.
The card became a fixture in Paul\’s WWE career. He famously wore it around his neck in a custom diamond-encrusted case at WrestleMania 38, where he made his in-ring debut. The winning bidder will receive the card, the diamond chain, and a personal hand-delivery from Paul himself.
Pre-auction estimates ranged from $7 million to $12 million. The extended bidding format means the auction will continue in 30-minute increments as long as new bids come in, potentially stretching the WWE Superstar\’s farewell well into the night. The sale was consigned during an episode of Netflix\’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch, with Goldin advancing Paul $2.5 million ahead of the auction.
Fans can watch the live auction and Pokémon box opening on Logan Paul\’s YouTube channel starting at 9 PM EST on Sunday, February 15.
Tom Brady and Logan Paul are locked in a heated social media exchange over whether WWE or NFL athletes are more impressive, adding promotional fuel to the upcoming Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Saudi Arabia on March 21. Paul once likened Tom Brady to Triple H, but he\’s not feeling the same way about the GOAT NFL QB these days.
The back-and-forth began during an appearance on Paul\’s Impaulsive podcast, where Brady dismissed Paul\’s WWE career as \”cute\” and argued it doesn\’t compare to the athleticism of elite NFL players. Brady name-dropped stars like Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., and Justin Jefferson, telling Paul that while he\’s a good athlete, NFL players are on another level entirely.
pic.twitter.com/wbvSXuX37P I hope people understand the level of competition this game is going to be. If you’re on my team you’re going to be locked in, all out, and we’re going to not just win… but dominate.
I do think @loganpaul has the right attitude and the effort will be…
Paul wasn\’t having it. He clapped back on social media by calling the NFL \”adorable\” and sharing a clip of Ninja Mack — a wrestler known for executing eleven consecutive backflips in a single sequence during a New Japan Pro Wrestling match. Brady responded with humor, asking if they were playing \”flag gymnastics.\”
Paul continued the argument in a subsequent interview, taking aim at Brady\’s historically poor NFL Combine performance while questioning what truly makes NFL players superior. He asked rhetorically how many United States titles Brady has won and how many YouTube subscribers he has — classic Logan Paul energy that fans have come to expect from the WWE Superstar.
The playful rivalry is generating significant buzz ahead of the flag football event at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, where both will compete. Brady is partnering with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, to showcase flag football on a global stage — the same venue that hosted the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble earlier this year.
Whether this leads to anything beyond social media sparring remains to be seen, but Paul has never been one to let a challenge go unanswered. With The Miz recently calling him the future of WWE, Paul clearly has no shortage of confidence heading into the event.
Two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion The Miz recently admitted that YouTuber-turned-WWE wrestler Logan Paul is doing his \”outsider\” gimmick. The A-Lister believes Paul is doing it better than most.
During his appearance on Six Feet Under with The Undertaker, The Miz highlighted how he joined WWE from the Real World when that path was heavily criticized, compared to today when YouTubers are more easily embraced. He further jokingly added that he felt someone else was \”stealing” his gimmick and pulling it off nicely. He said:
\”When he said, \’Yeah, I\’m an outsider,\’ I was like, I wonder who the first outsider was,\” The Miz said. \”I was on the Real World coming to WWE when it was hard to do that. Now you\’re a YouTuber and we applaud it, oh, he\’s in here. But our audience won\’t. But everyone else is like, yeah. But I was like, oh man, this dude\’s stealing my gimmick. And he\’s doing a really good job of it too.\”
Fastest Learner Miz Has Ever Seen
The Miz labeled the former WWE US Champion Logan Paul the fastest learner he has ever witnessed in WWE. He said:
\”Logan trained as well. But Logan was the fastest I\’ve ever seen anyone pick up WWE in my life. I\’ve never, and I like, I know I\’ve said this before, but it still blows my mind how good he is and how good he can be. I do feel he\’s the future of this business.\”
Bad Bunny\’s Unmatched Commitment
The Miz also praised Bad Bunny\’s dedication during the pandemic era shows at the Tampa baseball field. The former WWE IC Champion said:
\”Bad Bunny, every time I would come to the show during COVID at the baseball field in Tampa, he was there early in the ring. Then he would go sing at the Grammys, he\’d be right back in the ring. He\’d go to SNL and he would have the 24/7 title, with that title in his arm. And I was like, man, this dude just loves what we do.\”
Bad Bunny\’s commitment also extended to his own car.
\”He let us spray paint his $500,000 car, real spray paint. And it was his idea. He goes, \’No, no, you spray paint.\’ I think it was like a Bugatti.\”
Bad Bunny, who took WWE by storm, is expected to return to the company for WrestleMania 42.
Dominik Mysterio\’s Transformation
The Miz further highlighted Dominik Mysterio\’s heel turn as another example of next-generation talent thriving.
\”Dom has a baby face now. Like, can you even see it? Like, remember he was cleanly shaven, short hair, just a smile on his face. So young. So happy to be here. Now you look at him, he\’s just Eddie Guerrero. Just like a dirt bag.\”
Logan Paul has responded to Tom Brady after the NFL legend called WWE \”cute\” during Paul\’s Impaulsive podcast appearance. The WWE United States Champion fired back with a video on Twitter, highlighting his athleticism and WWE accomplishments.
The exchange occurred in the context of an upcoming Fanatics flag football event on March 21 in Saudi Arabia. Brady\’s comments downplayed Paul\’s athletic ability in WWE compared to the NFL.
Brady doubled down on X on February 11, 2026, stating, \”I do think Logan Paul has the right attitude and the effort will be there. How far that gets him will remain to be seen.\”
pic.twitter.com/wbvSXuX37P I hope people understand the level of competition this game is going to be. If you’re on my team you’re going to be locked in, all out, and we’re going to not just win… but dominate.
I do think @loganpaul has the right attitude and the effort will be…
Tom Brady said, \”I’m actually a little worried for you. You’re a good athlete, but these guys are on another level. No, you’re not on that level. You’re a good athlete, but honestly, when I’m thinking of Saquon Barkley… it’s cute. It’s great. I love WWE. It’s very cute. But honestly, this is real football. This is real competition.\”
Paul\’s Twitter Response
Logan Paul posted on X a video comparing his athleticism to NFL players, including a recreation of a Saquon Barkley jump with a Mario boing sound effect and WWE highlights like moonsaults and table dives. The caption read, \”The NFL is cute @TomBrady.\”
The Fanatics flag football event on March 21 in Saudi Arabia will feature both Tom Brady and Logan Paul, along with Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., and Justin Jefferson.
Independent wrestler Jose Zamora has publicly challenged Logan Paul\’s claim to being the first wrestler to use a mic\’d up gimmick, presenting evidence that he pioneered the concept on the independent scene.
The controversy began when Paul took to Twitter/X claiming he was \”the first wrestler to ever be mic\’d up\” during WWE programming.
Zamora, who wrestles as \”The Spotlight,\” responded with receipts showing he has been using the gimmick for the past year and a half.
\”So Logan Paul did the mic\’d up wrestling gimmick on WWE TV, which is something that I\’ve been doing for the past year and a half on the independent scene,\” Zamora said. \”I do it in every single match. And I\’m even in the process of getting it trademarked.\”
The 23-year-old Boston-based wrestler provided screenshots showing Paul\’s videographer liking his mic\’d up videos and commenting on Paul\’s posts, suggesting awareness of Zamora\’s work.
Despite having grounds for frustration, Zamora took the high road in his response. \”I think the easy way out in all of this would be to stand here, look at the camera, and just complain and insult Logan,\” he explained. \”But the truth is, I don\’t want to insult Logan. That is not the type of person that I am.\”
Zamora closed his statement by reaffirming his position: \”I am the spotlight. I am the first mic\’d up wrestler in the world. But more importantly, I am Jose Zamora.\”
The independent wrestler is currently recovering from shoulder surgery that will keep him out of action for five months. Meanwhile, Paul recently signed a long-term full-time contract with WWE and performs on Monday Night RAW as a member of The Vision faction.
The day I became The First Mic’d Up Wrestler In The World
The latest Logan Paul vlog featured the former US Champion complaining about the events of Raw to The Oracle backstage. To calm him down, Heyman mentioned the mysterious phone call General Manager Adam Pearce got after their match.
The former ECW owner first claimed that you have to take one step back sometimes to move forward. When Logan asked if this meant the call was from Triple H, Paul Heyman claimed that even The Game would not want to receive a phone call from this person:
\”You know, sometimes you take one step back to take two steps forward. Adam Pearce got a phone call from someone no one wants to hear from. [Even] Triple H could get a phone call from this person and wouldn\’t want it.\”
The last line from the WWE Manager elicited a smile from the Celebrity wrestler, with Logan saying, \’Oh, this gotta be the big man himself,\’ before the camera moved on.
The latest Raw episode featured The Vision in a match against Dragon Lee, Penta, & Rey Mysterio. Logan Paul tried to introduce the brass knuckles into the match, but Adam Pearce threw it away.
Unfortunately for the Vision, Rey Mysterio got hold of the weapon, and the Hall of Famer used it successfully leading to his team\’s victory. The sequence of events gave Heyman one more thing to complain about after Pearce suspended Bron Breakker from the show last week.
WWE Superstar Logan Paul turned down a staggering $10.2 million private offer for his PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card, choosing instead to let the historic auction play out at Goldin Auctions.
OnlyFans model and Pokémon collector Emmi Bunni submitted the offer directly to Paul, doubling the card\’s current auction price at the time.
\”I offered Logan two times what it is being bid at auction for right now,\” Bunni told The Blast. \”$10.2 is a LOT for a Pokémon card, but it has true meaning to me. I think it took Logan a minute, but ultimately he did not want to pull from auction.\”
Bunni explained her motivation was personal rather than financial. \”I grew up loving Pokémon. If I get it, I\’m giving the card to my dad. He\’s the reason I started collecting.\”
She added: \”It\’s only six months of OnlyFans. But this card is history. You don\’t hesitate when something like this comes up.\”
The auction for Paul\’s card—the only PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator in existence—has already surpassed $5.9 million with weeks remaining before the February 15 close. Pre-auction estimates range from $7 million to $12 million.
Paul purchased the card in 2021 for $5.275 million, setting a Guinness World Record. The winning bidder will receive the card, the custom diamond necklace Paul wore at WrestleMania 38, and personal hand-delivery from Paul himself.
Bunni confirmed she has set a hard ceiling on any future bid: \”The max I will bid is 10.2M, not a penny more.\”
the real star of Wrestlemania — my 1/1 PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator that I purchased for $5,275,000, officially setting the Guinness World Record for “most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale” pic.twitter.com/nrAyvrytCB
Logan Paul and Randy Orton reignited their rivalry on social media this weekend, trading jabs over the former U.S. Champion\’s leg development.
The exchange began Saturday when Paul posted a gym photo from Düsseldorf, Germany with Vision stablemate Austin Theory, captioning it \”Direkt ins gym.\” Orton slid into Paul\’s DMs with a pointed observation: \”Skipping leg day again I see.\”
Paul shared the message on his Instagram story, then fired tback Sunday with a photo showcasing his quads and a cheeky caption: \”did legs just for u daddy @randyorton.\”
Photo: Logan Paul, Instagram
The playful exchange marks the first DM between the two since April 2024, when they faced off at WrestleMania 40. Paul retained his United States Championship against Orton and Kevin Owens in a Triple Threat Match at that event.
Their paths crossed again at SummerSlam 2025, where Paul teamed with Drew McIntyre to defeat Orton and Jelly Roll. The rivalry continued through Survivor Series WarGames, with The Vision defeating a team that included Orton and Cody Rhodes.
Paul recently announced he signed a full-time WWE contract, telling fans on January 7: \”I\’m officially a full-timer now. All you people saying I\’m a part-timer can shut your mouths.\”
Orton returned to WWE programming in early January after a three-month absence. Whether this social media sparring leads to another in-ring encounter remains to be seen.
The auction, which launched on Pokémon\’s 30th anniversary, features the only perfect-graded version of the legendary 1998 Pikachu Illustrator card in existence. Paul originally acquired the card in July 2021 for $5.3 million in a record-breaking trade, which included a PSA 9 Illustrator card plus $4 million cash.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTLnLtHCayE
Current bidding has already reached $2.3 million, with the auction scheduled to close on February 15, 2026. Paul announced he will personally hand-deliver the card to the winning bidder, complete with the custom diamond-encrusted chain he wore during his WrestleMania 38 debut.
The Pikachu Illustrator card holds a Guinness World Record as the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold and is considered the \”holy grail\” of Pokémon Trading Card Game collectibles. Only 39 copies were originally produced as prizes for a 1998 CoroCoro Comic illustration contest in Japan, designed by Pikachu\’s original creator, Atsuko Nishida.
Paul famously wore the card around his neck at WrestleMania 38 and during his boxing match against Anthony Joshua in Miami.
The card\’s auction represents a major crossover moment between WWE/wrestling fans and high-end Pokémon collectors, testing whether the market can match or exceed Paul\’s original purchase price. Goldin Auctions, known for facilitating record-breaking sales of sports cards and memorabilia, is handling the historic transaction.
Bidding remains open through mid-February, with collectors and investors worldwide watching to see if the card will set a new world record.
Logan Paul\’s detractors will have to get used to seeing him on their screens for years to come. The social media megastar has officially committed his future to WWE, announcing on his Impaulsive YouTube vlog that he signed a long-term full-time contract with the company.
\”I actually just signed my official long-term contract with the WWE. Seconds ago. We took espresso shots. I\’m officially a full-timer now,\” Paul revealed.
\”All you people saying I\’m a part-timer can shut your mouths. Feels good. Feels good to have a job. Your boy is going to be working. I\’m excited to get the year started. 2026, I want to hit it hard. I want to become the best wrestler I can be.\”
The announcement represents a significant commitment from Paul, who has proven himself a pro wrestling prodigy since joining WWE in 2022. Despite maintaining successful business ventures including his Prime beverage company and Impaulsive podcast, Paul has chosen WWE as his primary home.
The 30-year-old captured the United States Championship during his part-time run and wrestled 13 matches in 2025, a substantial increase from just three matches in 2022.
Paul currently performs as a member of The Vision on Monday Night RAW alongside Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Austin Theory under Paul Heyman\’s management. The faction won the men\’s WarGames match at Survivor Series in November, though Breakker came up short in his World Heavyweight Championship challenge against CM Punk on the January 5 RAW premiere, with Punk retaining after countering a spear attempt and hitting a second Go To Sleep.
With WWE\’s deepening ties to Netflix and the broader sports entertainment industry, Paul\’s full-time commitment positions him as a centerpiece of the company\’s future.
Logan Paul was not surprised by the result of his brother\’s latest outing.
A well-known social media influencer in his own right, Jake Paul challenged Anthony Joshua in a boxing match this past week. The former two-time heavyweight champion ended up winning the bout after knocking out Paul in the sixth round. Jake had to get titanium plates installed in his mouth through surgery after the match because of a broken jaw he suffered during the fight.
The current WWE star talked about his brother\’s loss during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take. He claimed that nobody expected Jake Paul to actually beat an experienced boxer like Joshua and the ending was the logical conclusion to the bout:
“So, strictly from a logical point of view, I actually think it went down exactly as it was supposed to. I’m not sure anyone really thought that Jake was gonna beat Anthony Joshua but, you have to understand, being his brother and in his close circle, he has this conviction that makes you believe and he has this ability to defy reality and morph it into his vision of how it’ll transpire that makes you think he’ll win… This was a logical conclusion to the fight.\”
Logan Paul then proclaimed that he is incredibly proud of his brother, and the whole thing was a net positive. He claimed that the fight showed the world how tough and fearless Jake Paul is and why he is in the position he is. He mentioned how his brother regularly puts himself in positions to do the impossible and that he loves him very much.
The former US Champion also confirmed that Jake is planning to enter the boxing ring again, but a timetable for it is not in place. He mentioned that Jake\’s fiancé Jutta Leerdam, will be competing in the upcoming winter Olympics next year, and Paul\’s number one priority right now is to support her.
![https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/01/\"Logan](https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/01/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/01/logan-paul-randy-orton.jpghttps://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/01/\")