Recently released WWE star opens up about "missed opportunity" involving major celebrity
WWE is arguably currently in its most successful era in terms of both business and content. This was not the case just a few years ago. During that time, one of the biggest letdowns by the company in the eyes of fans was the introduction of the 24/7 Championship, and how it was handled.
Sidney Iking Bateman—known in World Wrestling Entertainment between January 2020 and May 2024 as Reginald, Reggie and even Scrypts—wanted to do something to spark intrigue surrounding the now-defunct belt. He is a four-time 24/7 Champion, having held the belt for the longest time at 112 days.
During an interview with MuscleManMalcolm recently, Reggie discussed an idea he had to involve Flor from Progressive Insurance for a huge crossover angle. He was consistently featured with Carmella, R-Truth and Dana Brooke, but Reggie felt that this would have been massive:
"There was a lot of things left unturned. I had an idea about making a crossover with a 24/7 title with Progressive, with their 24/7 coverage. Essentially, it would be me escaping the mob. The mob gets me. It was Flo from Progressive.’ I call her, like, ‘Hey, I need help,’ and then she comes and helps me, like makes a trampoline appear. I bounce over the guys or whatever, and I’m the longest-running 24/7 champion because I have 24/7 coverage with Progressive. So, that would have been dope, a missed opportunity."
He also revealed that being a writer as well, there were discussions to turn the 24/7 Championship storyline into a cartoon. The belt was canned in 2022 after Nikki Cross won the title, making her the last titleholder.
R-Truth does not rule out a reboot/revival of the 24/7 Championship in WWE
Up until last week's WWE RAW main event, R-Truth and The Miz were World Tag Team Champions. They dropped the belts to The Judgment Day's Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh. The Awesome Truth had won the titles at WrestleMania XL in April.
That same month, R-Truth explained to Steve Fall of Ten Count Media why the 24/7 title could make its way back to WWE. Truth made the title reasonably entertaining despite all its flaws.
"I don't know man. The Miz got me on a whole different path right now. Again this is sports entertainment, it's the professional wrestling business. You never know what you may see. You never know what may happen. Situations are subject to change," Truth said.
The belt was not well received by fans, who were evidently relieved to find out its retirement after Triple H had taken over WWE in 2022.