JACKSONVILLE, FL - What happens when a professional wrestler who owns her own media company sits down with a veteran news anchor? Must watch news, as viewers of Going Ringside with the Local Station News4JAX discovered this week when Madisyn Maxxwell, CEO of Madi Media, took over the broadcast.
The Self-Proclaimed "Best News Reporter in the World"
From the moment she appeared on the News4JAX set, Maxxwell made her intentions clear. "Madisyn Maxxwell is me. I am the CEO of Madi Media," she declared. "And Madi Media is your number one news source for news about me. Duh."
When host Scott Johnson suggested this sounded "a little self-absorbed," Maxxwell didn't flinch: "No, it's not. Actually, I was so tired of people not talking about me, which is rude. So, I bought the news."
Wrestling Credentials That Back Up the Bravado
Behind the character work lies legitimate wrestling pedigree. Maxxwell is the youngest OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) Women's Champion in history, a title she won under the name Madi Maxx. "It's on Wikipedia," she noted. "I did put it there, but it is a fact. So, my name is in the history books."
Her resume includes appearances on WWE's Monday Night Raw, AEW Dark's 100th episode, and now Going Ringside, "the only pro wrestling talk show on broadcast television in American history."
Above: Madisyn Maxxwell being interviewed by Scott Johnson on Going Ringside.
The 'News Off' That Stole the Show
The segment's centerpiece came after a commercial break when Johnson, wearing a tie and blazer to channel his "news anchor persona," proposed a head-to-head news reading competition.
Johnson led with geopolitics: U.S.-Iran talks over the Strait of Hormuz and potential sanctions affecting oil prices.
Maxxwell countered with breaking news: "Madisyn Maxxwell is the youngest OVW women's champ in history... And new studies are showing this implies she's the greatest OVW champ of all time, eclipsing names like Jessie Belle and Rebel."
When Johnson pivoted to wrestling news, Logan Paul denying beef with Bron Breakker, Maxxwell dismissed it: "He's a star and I'm a superstar. Do you see the difference?"
She then delivered a resume rundown that included her Coca-Cola cheerleader days, turning down college soccer offers, and a recent country music video appearance. "Madisyn Maxxwell's resume is as packed as any female athlete in America," said Madi.
Dream Matches and Marvel Ambitions
Asked about a potential match with WWE's Bianca Belair, Maxxwell named her true target: "Becky Lynch is my ultimate dream match." Johnson revealed they'd previously hosted Lynch on the show. "Did you talk about me?" Maxxwell asked. When the answer was no, Johnson joked: "I'm having a paradigm shift in how I do this show. The whole show will start to be centered around you."
On the Marvel question, prompted by Cody Rhodes' recent Marvel Studios visit, Maxxwell was definitive: "Can you imagine a Madisyn superhero? ... You think Marvel would want you as Storm or Scarlet Witch? You'd just be yourself. Yeah. Marvel Madisyn. Maybe that's the next thing. Madi Media Marvel Takeover."
Above: Madisyn Maxxwell Broadcast Live with Scott Johnson Going Ringside.
The Verdict
By segment's end, even Johnson conceded defeat. "You did okay. I don't know if you're Madi Media material," Maxxwell told him. "I mean, I am the best news reporter in the world. I'll stick here in Jacksonville for now."
The segment closed with a final "breaking news" bulletin: Maxxwell has two Chihuahuas. "They did [need to know]," she insisted. "And they're really cute."
Going Ringside with the Local Station airs Wednesdays on News4JAX+, the News4JAX YouTube channel, and major podcast platforms.
Above: Madisyn Maxxwell at the newsdesk with Scott Johnson Going Ringside.
Above: Madisyn Maxxwell at the Video Wall at News4JAX and Going Ringside.
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