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Top Stories 21/08/21

July 2019 saw 'The All-American' Lex Luger roll out of The Waterloo Arms in the Lex Express with the prestigious Slenderslam champion belt. Since that day, wrestlers from across the globe have hounded the office of President Ginger McMahon pleading for a opportunity to challenge Lex for the gold.

The wrestling dirt sheets and journalist Dave Meltzer have reported on rumours suggesting McMahon is opting for a smaller card in 2021 and has turned down a record number of stars. Mitch Sizemore's podcast (Size Matters) leaked speculation of plans to boost Slenderslam's 18-25 demographic by hiring younger talent from the likes of Ring of Honor, Over the Top Wrestling and even recently-fired wrestlers from WWE. After 2019's failure to improve their female demographics with the appearances for 'Ravishing' Rick Rude and Mr Perfect, this seems like a sound strategy. Perhaps the days of beer-bellied WWF legends desperate for one last day in the spotlight could be over for Ginger McMahon's future rosters.

A generation change could also be the answer to Slenderslam's biggest problem - its dwindling reputation.

Many of Slenderslam's past guests come from an era of alcohol, drugs and debauchery and unfortunately old habits die hard.

Former head of relations, Susan H. Chlamydia claimed she was followed from Southampton's Marlands Centre to Debenhams by a drunken Giant Haystacks in 2014, one day after Slenderslam VI. The former World of Sport star was later apprehended by police while pressing his buttocks against Fabricland's shop window; an incident that made page 8 of the Daily Echo.

Guests of honour including Carlee Softwood and Harriet Desiccate have also reported their stories of harassment and the wandering hands of wrestling old timers.

Can McMahon clean up the image of his flagship summer event? Perhaps time will prove to be the ultimate healer having missed 2020 due to COVID-19. We'll find out on 4 September 2021 if a younger, cleaner crop of athletes can help heal Slenderslam's tainted image. Or will wrestling's past re-emerge for more uncertainty?