It appears that The Undertaker had a hand in bringing a new coach to WWE LFG.
WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats) premiered in February. The series follows the journey of sixteen hopefuls who hope to earn a spot on the NXT roster. On Wednesday, Peter White of Deadline reported that LFG has been renewed for a second season on A&E. One key change was mentioned, however, with Michelle McCool replacing Mickie James as one of the coaches.
Many fans have been asking why James won’t return for season two. According to a report from Fightful (via Fightful Select), sources close to A&E production claim The Undertaker was “instrumental” in getting Michelle McCool, his wife, added as a coach on the show. It was noted that The Undertaker was open to returning to the show if McCool was involved. The decision was then made to bring her in to replace James.
Fightful stressed that there’s no indication that Undertaker specifically asked for James to be removed, or that McCool should replace her. However, he communicated that he just wanted McCool involved in the show.
James, along with fellow season one coaches The Undertaker, Booker T, and Bubba Ray Dudley, are still scheduled to appear together at NXT Roadblock on March 11.
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Michelle McCool hated the ‘Piggy James’ storyline and apologized to Mickie every week
In 2010, Mickie James was embroiled in a rivalry with WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool and Layla. The duo, known as LayCool, bullied James for being overweight (which was clearly not true) and nicknamed her “Piggy James”. It was a real low point for the WWE, and nobody involved in the angle liked it either, including McCool.
McCool, who was recently announced as a 2025 WWE Hall of Fame inductee, appeared on Insight with Chris Van Vliet and said she would apologize to James each week before they went to the ring.
“I give credit to this day, and I said this to somebody the other day, and I said it to her. But the whole Piggy James storyline, me at heart hated it, just because of what it was. You’re bullying somebody, supposedly that they’re supposedly overweight, and that has never been me. Every week I’d go up to her, ‘Mickie, I’m so sorry. This is what they want us to say,’” McCool said.
“[Mickie was a] complete professional. Not once did she try to change things, which often girls did. Not once. She’s like, ‘No, it’s good. It’s cool.’ She knew that took two to tango, she knew what her role was. She knew what our role was, and she really, I think, put us on the map with that storyline,” added McCool.
