The drama between former Paradigm exec Nick LoPiccolo and pro wrestler Joey Janela just hit a new level—and this time, it’s personal.
It all started on January 27, 2026, when a Twitter user named Basque called out LoPiccolo over his recently deleted tweets, suggesting that he was “running from further unprofessional grovel” and “tarnishing a dream job.” Basque tagged both LoPiccolo and Joey Janela—and also posted screenshots of Janela making fun of LoPiccolo, even throwing in a jab about cocaine. Basque’s tweet read:
“What happened mamba!?!? Where those tweets go? Running from further unprofessional grovel?!! Further tarnishing a DREAM job for anyone like me? I’d kill to be in your previous position.”
That’s when LoPiccolo jumped in to set the record straight—and he didn’t hold back. He responded directly to Basque and explained the real reason why those tweets were deleted. Before posting the screenshots, LoPiccolo wrote:
“Hi, I blocked you a long time ago because you are a bad faith actor on this platform. What happened is this. I was getting attacked for ‘drugs’ or things that crossed the line with me by Janela, who I have never met.”
According to LoPiccolo, he reached out to Janela privately after the tweets kept coming. He wanted to clear the air—and he shared those direct messages publicly to show his intent wasn’t to escalate. In the DMs, LoPiccolo tried to de-escalate tensions by highlighting how personal the attacks had become for him: “I have 2 kids. Please keep it up, I’ll actually have an issue.”
Janela, however, didn’t hold back: “Lol. You already have issues, and need help.” Still, LoPiccolo tried to keep it civil: “We’re both trolling. It is ok. We don’t know each other.”
But Janela wasn’t done, throwing one last shot: “The difference between me and you trolling is you have a lot more to lose than me.” In the final part of the exchange, LoPiccolo made it clear that he wasn’t interested in online heat:
“I don’t like having heat with talent. Any talent. Not what I’m about. Anyway brother I wish you well. Do not feel obligated to text or call.”
Then, on January 28, Janela took it to another level—mocking LoPiccolo again on Twitter for posting their private conversation and doubling down on the drug accusations:
“This Nick LoPiccolo gotta have the best cocaine on the PLANET, posting our DMs. I would’ve never publicly post them myself because it’s obviously a man who needs help. Can’t expect anything else from a guy who confides with JD FROM NY. Absolute f**ing weirdo head case.”
So far, AEW and Tony Khan have stayed silent on both this incident and LoPiccolo’s earlier accusation about a suspected burner account tied to Khan. But between Janela’s comments and LoPiccolo’s effort to walk away from the spotlight, the situation has spiraled far beyond just wrestling politics.
Was Joey Janela right to go scorched earth, or did Nick LoPiccolo deserve a chance to explain himself? Sound off in the comments—we want to hear your take on this escalating mess.
