As first reported by PWTorch, and then confirmed by F4WOnline, Max Dupri is reportedly out as the leader and mouthpiece for the Maximum Male Models on WWE SmackDown.
The reports both note that Dupri, formerly known as LA Knight in NXT apparently “rubbed some people the wrong way and wasn’t fitting in.” It was further said that Vince McMahon made the decision weeks ago to remove him as the leader and mouthpiece of the group. Max Dupri will be replaced by his storyline sister, Maxxine Dupri, in the role.
Max Dupri had announced back on the July 15 episode of SmackDown in a promo that his sister would appear on this week’s show. The report further states that Dupri was said to have known at the time, that would be his final performance under the gimmick.
Maxxine Dupri was previously known in NXT 2.0 as Sofia Cromwell. She was revealed as the sister of Max in a segment during the July 22 episode of WWE SmackDown. Cromwell, (real name Sydney Zmrzel), is a former LA Rams and Phoenix Suns cheerleader who was signed by WWE earlier this year.
Max Dupri, prior to the LA Knight gimmick in NXT, was also known as Eli Drake in IMPACT Wrestling and his short stint in the NWA. Dupri was not backstage in Boston, MA at Friday night’s SmackDown.