LFG Rookie BJ Ray Already Stirring Up Controversy in WWE Before His In-Ring Debut

BJ Ray hasn’t even made his official in-ring debut, but he’s already ruffling feathers in WWE—and he wouldn’t have it any other way. The WWE LFG rookie is already making headlines for his attitude, bold claims, and apparent backstage heat with some in NXT.

The WWE LFG docuseries, premiering February 16 on A&E, gives fans an inside look at Performance Center recruits trying to break into the business. BJ Ray’s approach? Brash confidence and social media dominance.

In a new preview clip, Ray claimed Shawn Michaels called him a “dipst”** after his tryout and suggested The Heartbreak Kid sees a younger version of himself in him.

“Shawn called me in a meeting with everybody and said, ‘Hey, I think one thing of you,’ slid me a little note, told me to read the note,” Ray said. “Loud and clear, [he note said ‘dips**t.’ I think that he sees a younger version of himself in me, and I think a lot of people didn’t want to take a gamble on that. Shawn knows I’m gonna make him a lot of money, and I know that Shawn’s gonna help me make a lot of money.”

Ray is no stranger to controversy. Since signing with WWE in 2024, he’s claimed to be Shawn Michaels and Triple H’s favorite wrestler and even called himself NXT’s locker room leader. He’s also been criticized for his aggressive social media presence, something that’s rubbed some people the wrong way.

“I think that social media’s huge. I think that’s what’s scary for a lot of people here,” Ray said. “Especially when I came in, I felt like I kinda got a bad reputation with people saying I was doing too much. People would actually get upset, saying content was not respectful, when it’s like, okay, at the end of the day, this is entertainment. We live in an attention-based economy. The more you can garner attention, the better for all parties invested.”

While some in the WWE locker room may not be thrilled with Ray’s approach, he doesn’t seem to care. With names like Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, Mickie James, The Undertaker, CM Punk, Gunther, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels all appearing on WWE LFG, Ray will have plenty of eyes on him as he tries to back up his words.