In a bold statement this week, former AEW standout and renowned indie wrestling risk-taker “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela revealed that he turned down an offer to compete in the slap-fighting promotion Power Slap, which is led by UFC President Dana White. Janela took to social media to share his candid thoughts, making it clear why the financial incentives were not enough to persuade him to participate.
Janela publicly commented, “Nothing against anyone doing the powerslap deal props to you but they hit me up and asked me if I wanted to do it, [and] I said f**k no”[1][2]. He acknowledged the money was good but rejected the idea of receiving “a free shot at jaw, The Embarrassment & CTE deluxe” in exchange. Janela doubled down, saying, “I’ll take the $50 to launch myself off a ladder through the thumbtack table any day of the week”[1]. This statement references his well-known willingness to endure physically punishing stunts in professional wrestling rather than risk the blunt force trauma typical in slap fighting.
Dana White had recently taken a jab at independent pro wrestlers, emphasizing that many risk tremendous bodily harm—jumping off ladders and through tables for meager pay—when they could pivot to Power Slap and “make a sh*t-load of money.” White’s comments appeared to be aimed at enticing wrestlers to join his slap-fighting venture, which is backed by a lucrative deal with Paramount+ worth $7.7 billion and set to launch in 2026 alongside the UFC’s new broadcasting home[3].
Power Slap has attracted various independent wrestlers and personalities from combat sports backgrounds, with figures like Sinn Bodhi (formerly Kizarny in WWE) serving as a booker for the promotion. Some pro wrestlers, including Juicy Finau and HollyHood Haley J, have already appeared on special Power Slap events, merging the hard-hitting slap fights with wrestling-style showmanship[2].
Despite the financial lure, Janela’s refusal highlights a broader discussion within wrestling and combat sports communities about the health risks connected with slap fighting. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, remains a pressing concern for athletes in contact sports — Janela’s reference to “CTE deluxe” underscores his apprehension about the long-term impact of such brutal physical exchanges.
Sources close to Joey Janela suggest that his preference for traditional wrestling—even with its inherent dangers—is grounded in his passion for performing and storytelling rather than simply accepting short-term monetary gain from more spectacle-based combat formats[1][4].
Wrestling journalists and media outlets like Fightful have also noted Janela’s reputation for pushing the limits in matches, regularly taking risks most others would decline, further lending weight to his decision to stand by his principles rather than jump into Power Slap just for financial reasons[2][5].
Janela’s stance throws an interesting spotlight on Power Slap’s ongoing recruitment efforts and raises questions about how much appeal the slap fighting format truly holds among top independent wrestling talents. While Dana White’s venture promises bigger payouts and mainstream exposure, not every wrestler shares the same appetite for its controversial style.
As Power Slap continues to grow under the UFC’s and Paramount’s multi-billion dollar deal, industry watchers will be keen to see if other notable wrestlers follow Janela’s lead in turning down invitations or if the promotion manages to carve out a bigger niche in combat sports entertainment[3].
For now, Joey Janela remains committed to his wrestling career, leaning into the high-risk but creatively fulfilling world of professional wrestling over the emerging slap fight trend—even if it means enduring the pain of table tops and thumbtacks rather than cheek slaps and potential brain trauma.
Reported by: Matt Boone, Wrestling Headlines
Sources: WWE.com, Fightful, 411 Mania, Wrestling Headlines, KB Wrestling Reviews, Times of India (Dana White’s Power Slap announcement)
Date: August 21, 2025