WWE has dealt a big blow to Conrad Thompson and his upcoming Starrcast event by pulling The Undertaker and Kurt Angle from the show, leaving Thompson without two of the biggest stars with a month to go for the event.
The news was revealed by Thompson himself in an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated yesterday. Thompson said that Vince McMahon personally interfered to get Taker off the show and it was Taker who got the wrath of McMahon rather than Thompson himself.
The Undertaker’s representatives, Get Engaged, told Thompson that WWE has pulled the plug and returned the deposit that he initially paid to secure his services.
“I had a friend discuss the situation with Vince McMahon, and I was assured the ‘heat’ wasn’t on me or my event but rather that The Undertaker shouldn’t be doing personal appearances outside of WWE,” said Thompson. “I was assured that damages would be covered, a suitable replacement offered, or some sort of compromise to make everyone happy.”
Meanwhile, with WWE’s offer for a suitable replacement, Thompson went on the attack. He suggested Vince McMahon himself, Triple H, or Stephanie McMahon, with all proceeds going to Conor’s Cure and a donation from Thompson matching the money. But that didn’t fly either, with Thompson told that no one from the main roster would be allowed.
Kurt Angle, who also just recently signed a new WWE deal, was also pulled from the show.
“I asked to keep Kurt Angle and announce Shawn Michaels as the replacement for The Undertaker,” said Thompson. “I offered to book everyone ‘through the office.’. I wanted to play by the rules but I felt like I already had, since each of these guys were actively marketing themselves for outside appearances via booking agents or their own social media. I have checked in daily for a week now and nothing is changing.”
The Starrcast event will take place during the All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing weekend. The company is setting up to start giving WWE some competition once it’s fully up and running and McMahon doesn’t want any of his talent to appear at events closely associated with AEW.
