10 Things You Should Know About WWE's Alpha Academy
Alpha Academy is a faction on the rise right now in WWE with Chad Gable, Otis, and Maxxine Dupri all thriving at the moment. With Gable receiving the biggest push of his main roster career there are a lot of positives taking place, but there is still a lot about them that people don't know about.
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Whether it be regarding how they came together or situations behind the scenes, the trio have certainly achieved plenty in professional wrestling. The WWE Universe is likely hoping to learn even more about the group as they continue to be featured more, which would only enhance the respect they have for them.
10 Chad Gable & Otis' Friendship
Sometimes WWE can end up throwing people together in a tag team and hoping things work, with the chemistry then being hit or miss. It has been clear with Chad Gable and Otis that they get along brilliantly, and that's something that comes from them legitimately being friends for many years.
The two men were part of the Olympic training center together back in 2010 and bonded over their love for professional wrestling. Since that point, they have remained close, which is one of the reasons the duo works so well.
9 Maxxine Dupri's In-Ring Debut
During Alpha Academy's rivalry against The Viking Raiders, the company pushed Maxxine Dupri's debut in the ring as she feuded against Valhalla. It's a storyline that worked effectively in getting audiences behind her, but it wasn't just an angle that they decided to pull off to help.
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Dupri was legitimately making her debut in this situation, marking her first-ever professional wrestling match. The fact that this took place on Monday Night Raw on national television was a lot of pressure for her, but it's something that Dupri managed to make work.
8 They Suggested Teaming
Before Alpha Academy started, Chad Gable and Otis both admitted that they felt they were squandering in WWE. Otis was coming off his failed Money In The Bank run and the Mandy Rose storyline while Gable was fresh from being Shorty G, leaving both in a tough spot.
That's what led to them deciding to become a tag team as they decided to tap into their natural friendship and chemistry to try and see if it would work. Betting on themselves is something that did work, as they have enjoyed plenty of success ever since.
7 Canceled Kurt Angle Plans
Plans in WWE are always subject to change, and that was the case for Alpha Academy heading into the Elimination Chamber PPV in 2022 which took place in Saudi Arabia. That's because originally they were slated to compete against RK-Bro, which would have been a major storyline.
It would have been even bigger than just a standard tag team match as well because WWE was planning to have Kurt Angle as the special guest referee. Unfortunately, none of those plans came to fruition, with the idea being shelved.
6 Creating Catchphrases
One of the reasons Alpha Academy has become so popular is because of the two major catchphrases that Chad Gable has. Whether it is "Thank you," or "Shoosh," he has been able to connect with audiences and make them react every time he drops them.
However, they were not lines that he thought about for ages ahead of time, and instead are things that happened in the moment. Gable has admitted he just came out with them both during a segment and because they got over he continued them, proving their organic success.
5 Fashion Line
Maxxine Dupri's former gimmick was being involved with the Maximum Male Models, and that is something that suits her legitimate interests outside of wrestling. That's because Dupri actually has her own clothing line known as Jaunty, proving what a success she has already been in life.
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This isn't something that is focused on with her current WWE character, but it is a big part of her life away from professional wrestling. Personal businesses are something that a lot of wrestlers are now diving into which is a wise move as it gives a great backup plan.
4 A Sexy Singlet
Maxxine Durpi's love of fashion and clothes has bled into her Alpha Academy character slightly though, as it inspired her ring gear. Dupri opted to wear a singlet to be cohesive with the other members, and her gear is something she made completely herself at home, in a similar manner to how Bianca Belair creates her own gear.
Dupri was told by Ronda Rousey that she was making the singlet sexy, and Dupri is now attempting to make that her thing. It's something she wants to keep achieving, creating a goal for her creative side.
3 Exploration Of Singles Wrestling
Alpha Academy has been focused on tag team wrestling ever since they formed, but recently both Otis and Chad Gable have been given opportunities as singles stars as well. That is something that Gable has thrived with due to his rivalry against Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
Working in the singles division is something that Gable has admitted he'd be interested in doing more of moving forward. While he wants to do it as part of Alpha Academy, it is clearly an angle he'd like to work.
2 Importance Of Randy Orton
Working with Randy Orton is always a big deal for any wrestler due to the fact he's such a big star, and that was no different for Alpha Academy. They were involved in a tag team storyline that had a lot of comedy moments such as a spelling bee and the academic challenge.
It isn't the usual way that WWE books Orton, but Chad Gable revealed it was a learning moment for them both as to how every segment is as serious as you make it, which is what Orton was doing.
1 Batman Link
Something a lot of fans might not be aware of is the link that Alpha Academy has to Batman. This all comes from Otis' nickname as being Chad Gable's, "Number one guy." That's a direct quote they took from a Batman movie, showcasing the fact that anything in the media can be used.
Otis having that nickname from Gable put him over well, particularly when they were heels and Gable was turning him into an in-ring monster. However, most people wouldn't know that the superhero was where they took it from.
