Social media users are speculating that Tom Brady slapping Logan Paul in the face while at an event in New York could have been “staged” to promote a potential WWE fight between the pair.
The incident occurred Friday, July 17 during an on stage meeting between the pair at Fanatics Fest. Brady later posted a video of him slapping Paul on his X account, captioning the clip: “Dork.”
Paul, who has a contract with WWE as a professional wrestler, also shared the clip along with his own version of events: “This happened [because] I was roasting Tom for beating him in flag football. And he tries to smack me ?? Horrible example for the kids Aura -100 + Blocked. With a torn tricep.”
After the official WWE account also shared the footage, many users began to claim that the incident had been planned to set up an eventual wrestling match-up between the pair.
One user wrote: “Real slap but completely staged. Logan Paul’s first reaction after getting bitch slapped in front of a public audience was to take a few steps back. Any alpha man’s first move would be to step forward. Choreographed to build tension for the WWE event. Don’t fall for it.”
Another added: “obviously marketing strategy. tom you’re better than that.”
While a third speculated: “I know a publicity stunt when I see one. The question is, how many rounds before Tom Brady’s contractual dive in a fight with Logan Paul?”
During a live discussion with wrestler Cody Rhodes at the same event a day earlier, Brady had openly floated the idea of WWE President Nick Khan creating a narrative around him.
“I need to get an invite,” said Brady. “I’ve been waiting for Nick Khan to come up with some storyline for me to get in the mix. I feel like I’m retired from football, and I have an opportunity to go out there and still showcase that I’m a little bit of an athlete.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Brady and Paul have known each other for some time. In May last year, the retired seven-time Super Bowl champion appeared on Paul’s podcast to discuss his infamous Netflix roast.
In the interview, Brady recalled how the viral event affected his two kids whom he shares with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen.
“When you were in that moment, in that theater that night at the Forum, it was electric,” Brady told Paul. “It was crazy. We got done, everybody was on cloud nine. That moment, I’ll never forget. And then I’ll never forget when I talked to my kids the next day.”
“I felt like a stake through the heart,” Brady said.
