Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Layla On LayCool, Co-Women's Champion, Becoming A Mom, Piggy James, Diva Search, Leaving WWE

Episode Date: June 18, 2026

Layla (@mslayel) is a retired professional wrestler best known for her time in WWE. She sits down with Chris Van Vliet at West Coast Creative Studio in Los Angeles, CA to discuss why she has returned to wrestling conventions after being away for so long, why she left WWE in 2015, if she is open to one more match, how winning the Diva Search started her WWE journey, being paired with Michelle McCool, the infamous Piggy James storyline, how CM Punk came up with the name Lay-Cool, her and Michelle both winning the Women's Championship, becoming a mom and more! Please support our sponsors: HELIX SLEEP: Flash sale! Go to https://helixsleep.com/cvv for 27% off sitewide! COZY EARTH: Go to https://cozyearth.com/CVV for up to 20% off! BEAM: Go to https://shopbeam.com/INSIGHT and use code INSIGHT for up to 40% off Beam’s Dream Powder DELETEME: Use the code INSIGHT to get 20% off your DeleteMe plan at https://joindeleteme.com/INSIGHT FACTOR: Get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year with the code INSIGHT50OFF at https://factormeals.com/INSIGHT50OFF PURE PLANK: The future of core fitness! Use the code CVV to save 10% on Pure Plank designed by Adam Copeland & Christian: https://gopureplank.com/cvv SEAT GEEK: Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/CVV Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount NORDVPN: Exclusive deal! https://nordvpn.com/cvv Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! PRIZEPICKS: Download the PrizePicks app today and use code INSIGHT to get $50 bonus credit in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://chrisvanvliet.com If you have ever enjoyed any of these episodes, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast or Spotify? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests. Follow CVV on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVliet Twitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet YouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVliet TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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It is so good to see you. Welcome to the show. Thank you for having me for thanks. We've been talking about doing this for a long time. How many years? Two-ish years? Basically like when you came back into the public eye again. Yeah, about 2020. Yeah.

Four, 25. How does it feel being back out there again? It's, I'm enjoying it. It's different. I think because I was gone for so long. So people I think expect me to look like when I was in like 2015, when I was, like, 2015 when I retired. So it's been a little bit hard, like, getting used to social media and hearing, you know, oh, she looks different or stuff like that. I don't think you look that much

different. Thank you. I do, I get it, though. I do get those comments at first. It was a little bit like a sting, but now I'm just like, I'm kind of just enjoying it, and I'm glad that I took the break. Your break was almost 10 years, right? You retired from WWE in 2015. What made you step away from everything? If you look back, like for me, I started in 2006. So I was there since 2015. I've been in nine years and I've been traveling. Like, I was never like a part-time town.

And I was always like full-time. And we worked a lot at that time, you know, in the past. And I just was like, I'm 38. Like, what am I going to do? Like my looks, you know, you get to the point. You look not the same and I'm getting tired and worn out from, you know, just traveling all the time, stuff like that. And I think that where was there really for me to go?

You know what I mean? I kind of done everything. And they were coming in with the new girls, younger, fresh. So I just was like, it's just time to go. And then that's what I did. I just made up my mind one day. I went in and I just asked like, you know, can I have my release, please? I just want to go.

Had you been thinking about it for a while? No. I just literally, honestly, but I should have been. You know what I mean? Like Vince actually signed me in 2000, I think, 15. Yeah, 2016. He actually signed me to a new contract. And I don't know.

I just woke up and I was just like, it's just time. Just time. What was the reaction when you asked to be released? I had to wait because I left. I didn't even stay that day. I was just like, guys, I'm done. Do you remember what city it was? I want to say Oklahoma.

Yeah, it was Oklahoma. I mean, after look, it was in July 2015. I think it was Oklahoma. I just, I don't know, I went to the gym that day like I do before I get to the arena and I was just like, I'm just done. That's it. And I think they were also kind of done. I think it was a mutual, it was a mutual thing.

It was just time. Did you have a plan for what was next? You were just done. Yeah. I can't explain it. It's just like, it's such a hard grind. And I think when you're with WWB, the thing is always to keep going, keep striving, keep asking for more, keep reaching, keep saying, I've still got one more run.

I can do this. I can do it because you're always fighting for a spot. And I was just like, what am I fighting for? I literally felt like I was like a gerbil and a, you know what I mean, on the wheel? Just like, one of my hamster wheel, sorry. And I was just like, yeah, I'm done. That's fine. So where did it go from there?

I ended up, you know, just having a very quiet, private life for a long time and did nothing. I didn't even travel for two years. Was the decision, like, I'm going to step away from wrestling and also step away from the public eye? Like, we didn't hear from you for almost 10 years. You didn't go to wrestling events. You weren't on social media. So what went into that decision? Honestly, after being there for nine years, it became my identity.

So for me, it was a decision that Laila, you're not this person, you're Layla. So I really just wanted to come back to be me instead of being like Layla, like WWVD or like kind of thing. And that's the problem, I think, like would have been better if I would have had a stage name like most wrestlers do? that might have been a bit better, but I think when you're going by your own name sometimes, there's a line. And I think for me that line, that line was crossed around, like, say, 2000, like 12. I think it got to the point where it was blurred. The line was blurred for me personally. And it was just, it was just good to just step away from that. So the line was blurred between Layla the character and who you were as, what your name is Layla?

100%. Like I even think for myself that a lack, not think I know. I became very like conceited. You get used to being treated a certain way and stuff like that. And having all that attention can get to your head. And for me, being really honest, it really did. What was the discovery that you had about yourself when you walked away from wrestling? That I'm just kind of glad I stepped away when I did because it was just like, it was just like, I think I would have made a lot of mistakes. mistakes and I would have made those mistakes in the public eye. And I'm very grateful that I didn't make any of those mistakes because it's so hard, I think, being on TV all the time known worldwide and other people just like, you know,

so just like putting you up, making you feel so special. I'm just glad I stepped away. That's all I can say. What made you come back? I think just having to, I wanted to come back out there and start working again. and... You don't mean working by having matches. Oh, God, no.

No, I meant just coming out there, like, you know, working events and stuff like that. I left a lot of money, I think, on the table when I did walk away. Do you know what I mean? Because I still think that, you know, it's nice to, you know, go to wrestling events. And like you were saying, the nostalgia and stuff like that. Stalges a hell of a drug. And for me since I've been gone for so long, it's nice to go back. So did you just decide, all right, you know what, I've been away long enough?

It's time to just go test the waters. see how the reaction is to me? Yes, I was nervous, my first appearance. Yeah, it was nervous. But I just had office, and I just started looking at my emails, and I was like, sure, let's start working. And it just, you know, it felt good. It just feels good to be back out there again.

So based on what we were just saying, you sound like you would never have another match. You're like, oh, God, no. Well, I'm so, my goodness. No, I'm too old and I'm out of shape. You know what I mean? like I can't say never because I feel like if there was ever an opportunity like for Michelle and I do something like lay cool or something like that like of course not a run I don't know anything like

but if there was ever that opportunity I think that would be so wrong of me to not do that do you know what I mean that that that's the only thing so to me that would be the only thing I think I would come back for but am I like trying to have a match or anything like that right now like no no no one wants to year. I just, I don't want to embarrass myself. I don't want to tarnish what I've, you know, had in my past career kind of thing. It just, so I'd rather, like, if I, if I never come back, then I'll just rather leave it the way it was. Was there ever an invite for you to be part of the Women's Royal Rumble or Evolution? Yeah, actually there was. I did, I did get, I got invited to a couple of, I think, stuff. I can't remember exactly which was, but the last time I think the

invited me was in 2021, but I was pregnant. I didn't tell people. Hmm. You can't wrestle when you're pregnant. No. Yeah. So would you want another opportunity somewhere in the future? Um. If it was a one-off thing, an anniversary show or something like that? Maybe.

Yeah, maybe. I think so. If the offer comes, then probably, yeah, I probably would say yes, no. If you were watching Backlash, you might have seen a face that you recognize sitting behind Michael Cole and Wade Barrett. Not only did I have those awesome seats, I also got an impromptu interview with The Miz and Kit and check it out on my Instagram. Shout out to Seat Geek for the great tickets

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If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact connects Ontario at 1-866-531-2,600 to speak to an advisor. Free of charge. BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming, Ontario. The last time that, I guess the first time fans saw you back in the WWE world, was 2025 when Michelle McCool got inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame. How did it feel going back? I was really nervous.

I was really, really nervous to, because I didn't see anybody or really spoken to anybody kind of thing. Like, I was nervous, but I was so, like, I was excited for Michelle. Like, you know what I mean? It was emotional. I was excited to see Michelle and her family, and I was just, I wouldn't have missed it. I wouldn't have missed it.

And it was just a great night. I'm glad that I went. How was it seeing everybody again? It was so quick. That's the thing. I barely like, I think literally we just, we were downstairs,

elevator. And most people that I saw when we were going up were the newer talent. You know what I mean? So I didn't get to see most of the people that I used to work with. But it was so fast because you were like, walk to your seat.

And then it was just like, sit down, here we go, we're starting. So I was like, I didn't even get to like really, you know what I mean? it's a talk to anybody kind of thing, like I wanted to. And I don't think a lot of people even knew I was there. I got like so many texts afterwards. Like, where are you? You're here? Where are you? I didn't know you was here. Yeah. Do you ever think that you might get inducted in the WWU Hall thing?

I don't think so. Maybe as lay cool? That would probably be the only way, I think, yeah. Like when Michelle was on my show, probably about a year and a half ago, I asked her the same question. She said, maybe as lay cool. And then sure enough, a few months later, she got inducted. But I With what you guys did is Laycul, I could see that happening. I don't know. I mean, I would love it. I know Michelle would love it, you know, but you never know. I think we'd have to, if that was ever going to be, I think, talked about,

I think we'd have to do some kind of reunion to see, I think, the reaction, possibly. I don't know. Let's rewind it back to how you even got here. So you're part of the divest search. But how do you, how does this opportunity even get presented to you? So it was in 2006. I was a Miami Heat dancer at the time. So I've been there since 2004. And MySpace. I don't know if you remember that. Of course. Okay. Top eight.

Right? My space. So you remember Todd Grisham? Yeah. He was on the show. Todd Grisham's wonderful. I love you too. I love you.

He's the best. His wife, ex-wife at that time, she was working for WWE casting and she reached out to me. And I was like, I didn't even know what she was talking about. So I answered and she sent me, we emailed a couple of times. And then she sent me, you know, the audition day again. And I was just like, I'm not going to do it. And I again, woke up one day.

I was raining outside and I was like, I'm going to do it. You can get up to go to it. So I emailed her. She answered her email and they're like, it's the audition starts in, the audition starts in like an hour. I was like, okay, I'm going to make it. And it was all the, I think where was it. I'm trying to think where I'm trying to think where it was.

But it was like an hour's driving. It was hurricane season. So of course it was like stuck in traffic. I didn't get there until like, I think two hours after it was pretty much ended kind of thing. You were late. Yeah. But they gave me Jane's number.

Jane Liversham and I'm still really good friends of her and she waited for me. I was the last person in and she's like, okay, come put me in a tent and then with a camera and she's like, okay, say your name, says something about you and what you like and who you are and then take off your clothes bikini and we'll take a video for you. So I was like, okay, did it five minutes and she's like, thank you so much, bye. That was it. I was like, oh, bye, bye, that was it. I thought nothing of it. You weren't just dancing with a heat. You were also doing like some music videos in the time, right? Try to think that time.

Yeah. Wycliff, who else? I danced with Jamie Fox and Kanye West, the VMAs. There was other stuff that I'd done. I just can't think right now. Yeah, I was like I was dancing, dancing, like, you know, audition and stuff and working in Miami. So.

Hey, I know. I lived in Miami for five years. Yeah. There's just always stuff going on there. Always stuff, because they film all the music videos. Yes. I was extra to at first. Like, I would always be the extra and I said like, I wanted to be video videos so bad.

No, I'm being on. Remember that time? Yes, of course. Yeah, the MTV days. Right? It was the thing. And I used to be an extra, like in Miami when I first got there. And I used to look at these girls and like, not envy, like, just jealousy.

Because I was like, I want that, I want that. But like, like, tried to be their friends and stuff like that. And they were just like, so many to look at me. But I was like, I'm going to do that. That's what I'm going to be. I'm going to be one day. I never really got to be a video vixen, but I did get something even bigger. You know what I mean?

What do you think your life looks like without WWE? Wow. That's so crazy I don't know Because that changed your life That did change my life I still think that I would have been pursuing Something in entertainment

My goal from a very very young age As I wanted to be on TV I was on TV from the ages 12 In English I just wanted I don't know I just want to be famous I don't know what was wrong

I don't know I don't ask me from I think my mom and my step I'd always be like Wanted to be famous for such a long time I don't know I just had that bug. I just wanted it. Yeah. Oh, it worked out for you.

Yeah, I did. But isn't it so interesting? I'm blown away by the idea that if this thing doesn't happen, then this thing doesn't happen. Right? And then if that doesn't happen, then it doesn't lead you to this. Right. If you don't end up going to that diva search audition, or if you show up and you're late, they could have been like, sorry. This ended two hours ago. Get out of here. I know. But it all came together. Because I think it was meant to be. Like I really do believe that. Like you said when I told you, I was done. This was the same kind of voice in my gut, same kind of feeling where it was just like,

this is for you, just the next path. Just go this way. I think people might not remember this, but the diva search was not received well. You guys go out there and you are getting booed loudly. That was Mrs. Sport, by the way. Oh, really? Yeah. Honestly, when I look back now, like, I had no clue what I was getting into. I'm going to be really honest with you. I didn't watch wrestling like that. I thought it was just like the stuff that you see on the TV. I didn't know it was a live show out there and stuff like that. But Ms. went out there and he was, he, if you look at it, if you watch it, he said the wrong number. That's right. So that started them off. So as soon as he did that, and I don't think they like Ms. I'm not saying it's Ms. Ms. is amazing. But I'm saying at that time, I don't think he was.

I think Ms. would even tell you that his first couple months there, they were a little rough and the crowd wasn't that nice to him. No, they weren't. So once that happened, I remember us girls were what he is now. He's a legend, right? I know. He's amazing. Congrats. No, he really, he deserves, he deserves everything he has. He really, like, he really worked hard that guy. Like, he really did. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you. You're backstage in guerrilla. Yeah, so the girls were, the, the girls are like, backstage,

I think it was six or eight of us. I can't remember exactly. And I'm terrified. Some of these girls were so confident. Like, I remember, like, Rebecca, Melena, like, I'm trying to hear about. Yeah, those two were definitely very, very, very confident. I was like, oh my God, what if I let herself into? Like, what am I doing? Like, for one second, I had a reality check.

Like, you're going to do this? Like, what are you doing? Like, you're going to go out there and you're going to be letting people judge you. And you're, what if I lose? Like, I was so worried about losing. So to me, I was terrified. And we went out there and I'm not kidding you. Like, talk about they, they, I mean, like, even if you can't hear,

I don't know if you could hear it on a TV, but I'm tearing you in person. They don't care. You know, so I was like, wait, what, what? I didn't understand it because I was like, hold on. They're spending all this money. They want new divas. And then it's like, the crowd's booing us.

They don't want us. It was a very, very surreal moment. Like, it was an eye-opener. It's probably hard to not take that personally, too. I was too nervous, thank God. Just being on it, I was too nervous. I think that people think, we know that wrestling is predetermined.

Well, the diva search, that's got to be predetermined too. Honestly, at that time, I wouldn't know. I wouldn't know because I didn't know, understand. Now I've been in the business and stuff. I understand. They don't want to see the divas who cares? They don't wrestle. They want to watch wrestlers.

This is wrestling fan. That's how I wasn't sure if the actual diva search was pushed on to the fans and they won it. But that was just that city we were in because I'm being, because there were other times we went to different cities and they were receptive. Were you getting any wrestling training at this time? No. We won't know, nothing. It was just like whoever wins the diva search, then you'll go on and you'll get trained.

No, we weren't allowed to get trained. I wasn't allowed to because I wanted to go to, and this is not only just me, I wanted to go to, it was OVW at the time, and I think it was at Deep South Atlanta. And I think Johnny was like, well, you know, we don't want you going to OFW. Sorry, we don't want OVW, we don't want OVW, and then he's like, well, you don't need to, you're on TV, you don't need to go train. We don't need you to do that. We don't need you to do that. All right. So if you go, you can go down, you can go down, you know, in Atlanta and train there.

But even then, it was very like, nah. And then the trainer at Atlanta at the time, Deep South, I was told had a screensaver of me because I was going to be his next victim. Oh. So that's why I didn't go down there. So where did you end up training? On the road. Wow.

On the road. As you're figuring it out. My first match. was with Crystal Marshall. I didn't even had to take a bump. So I'd done a battle royal, right? And then it's me and Crystal going into a battle with Ms. And I went out there. I forgot. I forgot. I know what I was doing. I never thought I forgot what to do. She didn't even get to use her finisher. She wanted that finisher so bad. And I felt, I felt horrible. You know, if she had to work with me kind of thing. And someone in the crowd's like, your timing sucks. And I was like,

what is he talking about? So, and then after that, I think they were like, okay, we're not going to put Leila on TV. God, right, that I could dance. So Johnny was talking about, well, we need to do, he was talking in the back. He wasn't even referring to me. He was talking someone about me dancers and stuff like,

and I went up and I went, Johnny, I can dance. Why don't I do it? You know what I mean? Because they wanted to do a group with Kelly Kelly. And he's like, no, Leila, you're a diva search winner. We don't want you for that. And I was like, yeah, but Johnny, I can do it. You know, I can do the choreography.

And I just walked away. next week it was all kind of booked up and they put me in extreme expose because you could dance and you didn't have to wrestle yes and i could train then on the road while i was on the live event stuff like that who do you thank for training you as a wrestler fit finley fit finley 100% fit finley was lay cool oh really fit finley was the defense girls even trish he trained us all fit finley is he trained all the girls he had patience with us. He fought for us. I think he even fought for me to win the women's championship the first time. Like I think he literally was like, you know, she can do it. We used to get to live events

super early and then Fit would have diva sessions in there and he would be like, nope, you're wrestling like girls, wrestle like guys. He didn't care. He treated us like the guys and we would have Fit Finley boot camp. And I'm telling you right now, thank goodness we had that. Because if we didn't have that, what were we? He believed in all of us. He really did. He supported us and man he was and he was also the the agent that all the girls would go to to cry and stuff like that he was the guy yeah but fit finley i'd say without a doubt 100% i heard other training of course but 100% fit so extreme exposites you and kelly kelly you're on tv now are you starting to feel like i'm figuring out at least the tv part of this with the dancing or the wrestling the dancing um yes but here's a thing it was such a stressful thing for me probably like, what? Why? We get in that day. So we get into wherever we're at. And then I've got,

I've got to find Brooke and I've got to find Kelly Kelly, right? So I would have to edit the music, choreograph the music, design the costumes. Like, you know what it means? I teach them. All that day. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. So I, so that's what I was pretty much doing. So it was great, you know, and it worked out for us. Because when we first started, like, it was so bad. I was like, oh my God, it's going to be awful. But I had, we had to make it work. So thank goodness, eventually once the dancing kind of got better. And Vicki Guerrero used to, I used to ask her, like, when we do the dancing, like, we'd be in the locker room and I'd be like, can you watch it and tell me who's off and timing and stuff like that? So we would be rehearsing in the locker room with

the girls and Vicki would like, you know, help me out stuff like that. So I think at first, it wasn't getting used to the whole TV thing because when Kelly and I had to start wrestling each other on ECW because expose was kind of done, I mean, I was ready to. I mean, I was ready to I was fine being out there in front of the crowd, but it was still nerve-wracking for wrestling. Is it true that around that time in WWE, you turned down Playboy? Yes.

Well, actually, it was, it wasn't just me at first. So what happened was we were called into the office, and it was Kelly Kelly and Brooke Adams and myself, and they said, well, this year we want to do, I think it was 2007, when Maria, I think Maria actually did the cover, and they were like,

we want to do Extreme Exposé for Playboy. And I was like, no. I was like, no way. I don't want to. And I think, um, borrow me. I'm not too sure what they said. But then, um, because I, I didn't want to do extreme expose. They offered like Kelly Kelly and myself individually.

And I think they'd offered me like 250,000 like to do it. And I was like, no, I'm not doing it. Why'd you say no? Honestly, I was really like scared because, um, a lot of people don't notice. I'm Arab, you know, so my actual family, like, you know, I'm a first immigrant in England, but I'm Moroccan heritage, which I wouldn't know. So I was concerned that, like, my family who are Muslim or stuff like that, I was always told don't do anything like that. You can't, you know, I was, so I was also very scared of what, you know, and I knew my brother. Oh my God, my brother would have been so mad.

You know what I mean? Like, he would have, like, so that's why I said, no. I was just like, yeah, no. I think that's going too far. What I'm doing already is a lot, you know, for them. It's extreme expose, yeah. You know what I mean? Like with them and all the modeling stuff and that.

So I was just like, and I'm glad, I'm glad I said no because I really couldn't see myself going through the shoot. Like, you know what I mean in doing that? But I'm also sad. I said no, because I could have probably retired that year. Right. So it's a regret from a financial standpoint, maybe? From a financial standpoint, but not, like I couldn't, I don't know.

I could not go for a shoot. I just can't see. myself doing it. There was no way. I can't do it. I can't do it. How long did you think about it? And did you reach out to other WWE divas who had been in Playboy to ask their opinion on it? Johnny asked me outside. I remember it was outside in the corridor and but didn't as soon as he asked me, no. Oh, that was it. I actually, I actually said to him, I think, was so cocky. I said to him, well, I won the divas search 2006, 2000, 2005, I'm not going naked for that. Yeah. But it was, it was that and it was also, because of like, like I told you, my family.

My brother, I really didn't want him to like, you know, I don't want to embarrass my family as well. Sounds like you made the right decision then. Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. Not financially, but absolutely. So as you're going through this,

when is it that you start feeling like, I've got the hang of it. I feel like a wrestler in there. I'm confident. It would have to be around. I want to say the years 2010, but I'm not 100% sure. So it takes a while.

It took me a long time because it was so hard because you would, we would do live events. You know what I mean? And I was just always messing up, you know, just I felt bad for the girls who, you know, actual wrestles, wrestles. I felt bad for them that they had to work with like me that didn't know much, you know. But I think when I got, I used to, remember I used to be William Regal? Remember that? Yeah. And then I got drafted back to Smackdown, right?

And it was before Lekul, way before that. In that actual locker room, it was Beth Phoenix, Mickey James, Michelle McCool, Melina. And then at that time, I think, were the four horsemen of the diva generation. Like, they were the top, top tier wrestlers. I think Nadie was there, but I'm not 100% sure. And I think Alicia Fox was there. But I remember having to have matches with them. No, it was Nadie.

Sorry, Nadie was there. I had to have matches with them on TV, on live. event, stuff like that. And after so many times, just crying and crying and crying, just one day, it just went well. The matches just went well. I got it. I was able to redirect. I was able to listen. I didn't mess the spots up. I got the spots right. And I came back and it was like, they were like, you did great. You did good. And I was like, what, what? And then I think it was one match with, it was two matches I had with Michelle. Before we even thought about being put together, she had two single matches with me. The first time I went out there, and I was,

It was the first time ever taking her faith breaker, that finisher. It's like the styles clash. Oh, no, it wasn't that one. Sorry, it wasn't the faith breaker. It was another one. Sorry, I'm trying to think he does it. Kami started doing it. I can't remember what it was called.

Remember Kami used it as her finish her when she came? So we had that match, and then I came back and I remember like Ricky Steenberg was like, that's the best match you've ever done. You've done really well. That's my phrase. And I was like, and then I had one other match with her. And this is all Michelle, by the way. Like, I'm being honest with you, if it wasn't for Michelle, it wasn't.

She's carrying you through it is what you're saying. 100%. I always tell her, thank you, thank you, thank you. She had so much patience with me and just took her time with me. She made me look good even when,

you know what I mean? Like it was not good. And we finished that last match and even Taker said, that's your best showing kid? And I was like, what? And from then it was just like

slowly getting more and more confidence and more confidence. But it's because people gave me, fit, work with me, Michelle worked with me. Like, they gave me so much time. And so, yeah.

Were you coming back after these matches before that crying because you were frustrated, upset? Yeah. Yeah. I used to, but here's the thing. I wouldn't cry in front of everybody. That's one thing I tried not to do. But I'll be honest with you.

Like, I had so many matches that I would sit in the car, like on the way, like long drives or whatever. Or when I get to my hotel room and I would like, I would cry. I'm done. Like, I hated it. Like I'm like, this hurts. And it was, and I think it was because I think when you're, when you're being used a lot and you're being like put up, you enjoy it more.

But when you're just there and you're just like, it was rough. It was rough. It was a tough time. And I did used to cry. And I thought about quitting many times. How close were you to quitting? Close, but not close enough. Yeah.

That makes sense. Like I was very close, but not close enough. Because I didn't want to let, I just didn't want to let myself down. And then I didn't want to let like. people that gave me all these opportunities and stuff down, I knew I just had to suck it up and just get stronger. Was Michelle McCool your closest friend at that time? At that time, no, she wasn't my closest, but we would always,

we were pretty close, not, but when I first met Michelle, to be honest, you're like, you know, when you meet someone, you just connect. Yeah. Not much to say, we don't need it. Like, it wasn't, we were just, we just always, we connected from the get-go. Like, I always felt like she was very warm to me, very, like, professional. like she wasn't like hard or anything like other people where they're like I'm a wrestler and you're a diva like you know what I mean she was very very nice to me so I got along with

her like right away kind of thing and I'm I wasn't on the show with her for a while too remember because I was on but no we weren't best friends at that time not that time no were you watching a blossoming relationship with Michelle McCool and The Undertaker I did see that yeah I did I did. I think honestly, like I hope it's okay to say this. I think I was one of the first people. I was like, he loves you. Oh, you could just tell? I saw it right away. So was it like he was the undertaker to everybody else, but he was Mark to her? You just loved her. Sorry, just loved her. Oh, that's sweet. He still does. Yeah. So yeah, no, I just, I just knew it. Because when it's not you, like I said, we did, me, Michelle did hang out. And it's like, but I was like, yeah, I remember telling her that.

I remember, I remember telling her that too. Oh, wow. Yeah. Is it true that CM Punk gave you guys the name Lay Cool? Yeah, yeah, he did. He wasn't even part of the conversation. That's what's so funny about it because Johnny or somebody were a writer. I can't remember.

It was like, you guys need a name. You've been together too long now. It's like getting ridiculous. She needed name. What was it, Matt Stryker? Because Matt Striker, like, I can't remember. He was amazing for us, for Le Cool. He was amazing.

He was like, you guys need a name or something. And Punk was hanging over the hampers. There was hampers, I don't know, at the arena. And he just was like, what are you guys doing? And we had like a piece of paper and we were trying to write something. He's like, what are you doing? And we're like, we're trying to think of a name. And then we were like, cool, lay.

No. And it was so stupid. And then he's like, Le, cool. That's it. And then we're like, yeah, that's it. That was it. Yeah, punk. It just happened to be.

there just, no, and being honest, happen to be there. Like, we just didn't the corridor. I don't know.

It just happened. How'd you guys even get paired up to begin with? Well, I think when, um, because a lot of the, um,

Mickey was brought to SmackDown, right? And they wanted Michelle and Mickey to go against each other. And they first had Alicia Fox. If you noticed, she was out there doing matches with Michelle kind of thing.

And then they needed a filler. And they were like, well, Leila. So they were, put me in there to be like the filler so that they wouldn't touch each other and they'd save it for the pay-per-view. And it just started like that. I was never supposed to be in Lake Hall. Because I know that Stephanie McMahon wanted, I heard she wanted to do like a mean girl,

you know, fraction kind of thing. And I think it was definitely been Michelle and it was going to be, I think, Alicia Fox. And then for some reason, just us me and Michelle working together and just the chemistry and just trust, like she trusted me, you know what I mean? she gave me so many opportunities and it just, I don't know, it just happened. Like, what? Like, what? You know what I mean? Like, it was, you're still looking at it and go like, because me, like the Diva Surge girl came from Miami, the Miami.

Like, you know what I mean? Like, it just happened and it just, it just worked. And then that leads to you winning the women's championship, or I guess I should say, co-winning the women's championship. Yes. How does that idea get pitched to you? It wasn't. It wasn't.

No, no, it wasn't. So the ideas that I remember was it was going to be Vig Guerrero. So because Vicky was with, remember, she was with, like, she used to come out with me and Michelle. Like, before, well, before, I think, we weren't late. Yeah, we were late. What am I thinking about, sorry. So we were coming out together and Vicki was with us. And it was pitched that she was going to get the title.

Just Vicki. Vicki. Yeah, because I think Michelle. But not like sharing it, yeah. Yeah, because I think Michelle was her or something. I can't remember what was going on. So they needed a tire to go on somebody else. But I honestly, my gut was it was Fit Finley that fought for me.

I swear, I just think it was him because the day of, like about maybe two hours before the show, like, Fit comes up and he's like, congratulations, champ. I'm like, congratulations champ. And I go, what? He goes, you're going to win a title? And I'm like, and he was known for always ripping everybody and just telling everybody playing jokes. I'm thinking, what hell are he talking about?

And I was just like, didn't even listen. We went through the whole match, stuff like that we were going to do. And I'm, I'm waiting this entire time for them to be like, ha-ha, because he would do that. Like, he would make jokes on us and stuff like that. And it never happened. It just never happened. Went through the match and I won the fucking women's championship. Like, what?

Like, co-women champions was like, like, it was the biggest not surprise to like me, but if you even look at the crowd, it was in Beth Phoenix's hometown. And there was no reaction. It was cricket. No one expected me to win that. It was perfect. When did it hit you of like the historic meaning of it, right? Being the first British woman to become the women's champion.

I mean, I didn't even think about that, to be honest to you. I think I was still in like shock. Like what? Like I never thought, I don't know, I wanted it. And I thought, I thought maybe, but I never thought it would happen for me. Did they already have the plan that they were going to cut the title in half like friendship bracelet style? What were they going to do that? So, well, they didn't know because remember they made up their mind like.

just before that day, the day, the day they won, they made up their mind a few hours before the show, Vince, you know, so they didn't know, but Michelle was like, well, why don't we do, like, you know, co-champions kind of thing, because then it's like, we can have our friendship, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And that's what we thought, Michelle fought for that, and I thought for that, and that's what happened. And, like, nobody knew what was going to happen. And then it was actually Batista, who one day we were rehearsing, and he came up, and he was like, hey, I just told Vince, you guys just split the titles, like you have.

up with your necklaces, split the titles. And we were like, he goes, he goes, so that's how it happened. Wow. Do you still have your half? No. Where is it? I don't know. Because I know I've been to their house, Michelle has hers hanging in their gym. There's all of her accomplishments. There's all of Undertaker's accomplishments. Hers is on the wall. Where's yours? Does WWE have it? Is it out in the world? Does somebody else? Really? Yes. That's what? I'm going to say, yeah. Somebody watching this may have it. Yeah. Oh, wow. I know. Do you know who has it and you still want to say? No, no, no, I know. It's just out there? Yeah. Oh, interesting. Yeah. Very interesting. In Toronto, every arrival is a statement and nothing says it better than this. Cadillac Optic was the number one selling luxury EV in Canada for 2025.

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the dreams and goals because sometimes we make the dream and goal the money and you've overworked yourself and you've exceeded what you've needed for the actual thing you want. Sometimes we forget what's the actual thing you want. Afford anything. Follow and listen on your favorite platform. When you win the Divas title,

how different does that look versus winning the WWE Women's Championship? It was amazing because I just come back from injury two. I was out for a year. So it was great. It was amazing. It was very like, I was also scared because I was doing it on my own.

You know what I mean? I kind of like, I actually enjoy working off somebody, like working off Michelle and stuff like that. I feel like I do better. I was kind of nervous because I'm like, now it's on me. And there was so many, I said there was so many like emotions about it. But I was grateful, of course, because WWE, you know, giving me that stamp of approval and stuff like that. I was just, I was just very nervous about it, to be honest of you. You won that divas championship with a nasty looking neckbreaker.

That's thanks to Brie. Brie took that. Like, I didn't even, like, now that you say that, like, I didn't even, because I didn't, I can't see what she happened, you know. But when I came backstage, they were like, oh, my God, they were talking to Brie. Are you okay? Like, they were like, what? And they were, like, telling her, like, are you okay?

Did you take that? Like, how did you take that? You know? Oh, it's sick. Yeah, like I didn't know until I watched it back. Then I was like, oh my God. Like, no, she made that look. She made that look.

Like, you can't even, I'm, people, I just posted something the other day. And people were just saying, wow, we killed that. Like, she just literally, you know. Yeah. How did you feel about the Peggy James storyline when this is first being presented to you? When we were told about the first, like, pre-tape, you know what I mean? And then the actual segment. I was kind of shocked, to be honest of you.

You know what I mean? Like, I was surprised. And then, but at the same time, I was also like, oh, wow, at least they're investing in a diva segment. Oh, wow. So they're giving us, like, some time. And they were giving us a storyline. That meant a lot, you know, regardless of what they were actually, like, the storyline was. They were actually giving the girls a storyline.

So I was like, oh, grateful, but also, like, kind of like, looking at Mickey, like, you know, at that time, like, she okay with, you know what I mean? Like, okay with this? Well, look, nobody believes that Mickey James is overweight. Oh, God. Right? Oh, my God. Which is so ridiculous about calling her Piggy James.

I know, yeah. No, no, no. No, I know that. It's just, you got to remember, I think, especially in that time, in that era, like, it was like, women, we were always made fun of, you know what I mean? Our weight was so, like, important to us. And there were certain things that we could get away with in that era than you could ever, you know what I mean, get away with now.

And so it, I think it was a very, like, like touchy story, you know, to some people. But I'm, I'm very glad that it happened because it was the first time ever that divas got heat. Yeah, they hate it. You know what I mean? They heat us. They wanted to beat us up at live events. Like, literally women wanted to beat us up.

Like, they really believed that we were, you know. And not only that, I think that, like, Mickey did an amazing, like, she did amazing. Look at it. She did, she did have been amazing. That storyline, if you look at it back, I mean, it was great. It was the first time the divas section, like, especially on SmackDown. It was like, we had something. You know what I mean?

It elevated all three of you, right? It elevated you and Michelle and especially Mickey. Absolutely. 100%. Because when she gets her revenge, when you're wearing a fat suit, when Mickey gets her revenge, like the crowd could not be more behind her. It was one of the, yeah, that was definitely one of the great, like, I still remember that reaction because it was, it was amazing.

And she won. So it's like, she won. If she wouldn't have won, then I would have been like, okay, I get what people were saying, But she won, she shut us up. Did you think it was only going to be a one week thing originally? Yes. And then it just caught on or built seam and it just kept going? I think what it was was, Michelle and I never came up with that storyline.

Just so you guys, like that was never like our storyline. We never, you know, that was actually Vince. I came straight from Vince. And Vince was invested in that storyline. And he just kept, you know, giving us stuff. And then after that, it just, it did. It did. It caught on.

And he knew that. You were never afraid in your career to be the butt of the joke. Absolutely not. Like wearing a fat suit, getting milk poured on you. Take on me. What else? Mud. Mud.

Yeah, dirt. No, sorry. No. No, no, that's not. Where does that come from? You're just being committed to the bed. I went to perform an art school in London, and they would always tell us, you know what I mean? Like, you do it the director says.

this is what you do, you commit to a character, you commit to something. If you're not going to do it, then don't be here. So to me, it was always like, whatever they give me, I'm going to give it 100%. You know what I mean? Otherwise, why am I here? How long have you lived in the US? I've lived here since 2004. Your accent is so interesting to me.

I don't know what it is. How do you describe it now? I have no clue, but I go home to England and they're like, oh, where are you from? I'm like, you know. Here? Yeah, they don't, and then I'm here and then a lot of people are just like, I don't know, I don't know what I am. And then people think I'm trying to fake an American accent, and I promise you I'm not. Like, I'm really not trying to fake an accent whatsoever. It's just.

Even when you would cut promos in WWE, so we're talking almost 20 years ago, you could maybe hear a little bit of a British accent, a little bit, but I feel like it was like, ah, I can't quite pinpoint it. Really? Yeah. So, so the funny story about this was, um, we were in, my first time ever being in an English. England and standing by the ring and then Michael Hayes comes out and he's like, hey, Vince didn't even know you were from England. And I go, what? He goes, yeah, he goes, I just told Vince that you're from England that, you know, you should probably be in the segment, stuff like that. He goes, no, she's, she's from Miami. She's Lynn. So the whole time, I didn't know that I'd been at,

been there probably a year or something. And even Vince didn't even know I was from England. He thought I was like, you know, yeah, I don't know, because that's where I was pushed. I was pushed from Miami and stuff like that. And he probably thought it was a Latin accent. or who knows, right? He didn't know. That's so interesting. That's why I was never built from England. Wow.

Yeah, you were always built as being from my, did you ever like say, hey, time out. I'd like to embrace my British roots. Could you just announce me as being from England? I never thought of that, to be honest. I don't know why I didn't think that. I think I'd just let it go. But I don't think they would have changed it. I don't think, you know what I mean?

Because that's what I came in. I doubt they would have changed it. I don't know. What do you think is the most? most misunderstood thing about the divas era? Is the fact that they say that the divas are not wrestlers? Like, you know what I mean? Like some of the girls can't wrestle, they can't work, stuff like that.

Oh, they were so bad. Like, oh, my God, you know. Because there were girls that could wrestle. There were girls. Like, I'm not saying me, not me, not me. But there were girls that. Towards the end, though. I did, thank you.

I did okay for somebody who came in and was training. But, like, I wouldn't call myself like, Michelle McCool. Yeah, Beth Phoenix, a girl. Kim and Victoria, right? You know what I mean? I'm trying to think who else. Melina, like, that's not Natty. You know, you're telling me if you gave those women the time that the women get now,

you know, that they wouldn't be amazing as these girls and girls. You know, I'm telling you they would. And not only that, it's like, we had like, I'm not even kidding you, we'd be sitting in Gorilla and I'd watch the guys come by. And they'd be like, we need, we need like five, ten minutes. Yeah. No, no, yeah, we need two minutes more. we're here, too, and I would watch our time getting chips waste.

Not just me, I'm just, but I'm the one that's going to say it publicly. And they'll be like, girls, you just last five minutes. Girls, you got two minutes. Okay, entrances on dark. And you're just like, and then so you go out there, you've got to tell a story, right? Get a match. Do your entrances within 90 seconds. What do you think was the quickest time you had curtain to curtain?

So entrances, match, and then back. 90 seconds. 90 seconds. Yeah. It happened. Even like, you know, the, the wrestling match we had at Veshalmania with Snooky, Trish, remember, John, and Doll. There was like, Russell, maybe 28, was it? Trying to think.

It was in Atlanta. Do you remember it was in Atlanta? 27, yeah. Yeah, literally, like, as soon as we were, they, we didn't even get to do any of that match that we had planned. We were like, Michelle and I were the first ones, and they were like, as we were putting on a hat on, Johnny goes, go home. So Snicky just does her, I think it was a handstring back elbow. So it was just she had to get that in, right? Yeah, yeah.

What was it like working with Snooki for that match? It was actually, well, I see, I'm so, I'm so, not mad. I'm just like, I wish we could have done what we have planned because people would have had a lot more, I think, respect for Snooky. Snooky actually was going to, she was actually good. She was going to do, you know, really well. And she was, she was athletic at that time. So it was fun. And at that moment, I was such a New Jersey fan, you know, what's he called Jersey Shores fan?

Like, I loved it. I'm like, I'm working with Snurkey. was kind of like a fan for her kind of thing, you know. I think she, she had fun. She was very nice. She was professional, you know, but I just wish we could have had the match that we were supposed to have. How much did you end up getting for that match? Do you remember? Two minutes. Two minutes. And if you, if you watch it back, you can, I felt sorry for the guys too. I didn't even get in the ring. Did I get in the ring? I didn't even get in the ring. So we're honestly, and Michelle did, and the guys didn't get in the ring. They were, they were mad at that time.

Wow. What do you think is the longest match you had in WWA? TV or live events Let's go with TV Because your time would be getting cut a lot I would imagine 10 minutes Okay That's not

But if you look at it now is that long Now when you look back Now it's like an average match Yeah I want to say 10 minutes I might be completely off it Maybe 10 minutes Yeah

Yeah we never really had time And I'm talking about with entrances We never That's the misconception I think they think that we were so bad It was like no They didn't really want us to be They didn't want us to be professional

you know, wrestlers, they wanted us to be eye candy. When did you start to feel? Maybe it was towards your end years there. When did you start to feel that things were shifting, that the women were being given more of a chance? I knew it was coming because I'd see, as I was actually leaving, like Charlotte had been up there because I had a couple matches with Charlotte on live events.

And then they brought up like Becky, they brought up Sasha and stuff like that. And I was like, okay, this is like that. Because I'd already told it was going to be like a woman's evolution. coming up. So that's what I realized. It was just before, maybe about a few months before I quit. Yeah. When did you start to like really feel like you nailed your entrance? Which entrance? Oh, that's true. Why did your entrance change? Because I was like, I think, how many themes, I've had so many

themes songs because I, you know what I mean? Which one's your favorite? A nasty girl, and then I'd probably say, not enough of me. Yeah. Yeah. Iconic. But why did your entrance change so much? Because I was first when I came, when I first got there was the diva search song. Remember, rejects run away, is that right? Move away, move along. Move along. Oh, my God, sorry. And then, then I had some horrible techno stuff, which I hated. And then I had nasty girl, which I liked, because I won a talent contest in the diva search with that song. And then I had Extreme Vose,

Holler with Kelly Kelly. Hello, hello. I love that. Oh, I love that song too. It's great. And then I'm trying to fit. Then I was with Regal, William Regal, so I had that music for a while. And then I came, I think who else after that? Then I had, you're not in love with me because I was Michelle. Yeah. Then you had your own, right? No. Then I had, I'm insatiable.

And then I had Fendango, I think, Fendango song. Yeah. Then you had your own. No. No. You did have one. Nasty girl I had like, I think after, like when I was on Smackdown before I became legal.

And then after that, never did. Yeah. I had I'm insatiable, which I, yeah, I think. And then I, yeah. Fendango and that was it. Yeah, I think that was near the end. So the entrance I'm talking about is the one where you put your foot over the rope. Oh, that one. Lean over. Grabbing the rope.

Yeah. How did you decide that would be it? I went to FCW. Billy Kidman was there and I actually, no, actually what happened I forgot. So no, actually what happened was I used to, I used to lay on the ring and I used to pull my leg back and go under the ring. And I was doing that for a little bit. This was when I was in ECW, whatever.

and then one rehearse, one time after I did it, I came backstage and Vince said, don't ever do that interest again. I said, okay. So then I had to change. So I was doing Kidman. I don't know. I think it's because we were PG, maybe, PG area, I want to say. And then I was a VCW and Billy Kidman.

And I was like, what should I do for my interest? Because I need an answer. And then I got on a thing and I was like, what about this? And he's like, that's all you need. So Billy Kidman kind of helped me. How did you get paired with Fandango? I think it was, um, I'm trying to think what happened.

I think it was Triple H. One day, Summer had to go do some TV or movie or something. And they were in, I guess, in the media, production meeting before the show. And someone was like, well, we need to dance a Fendango. What are we going to do with Fendango? And he's like, oh, Lela can dance, I think. And that was it. So they were just looking for someone who had dancing experience.

That night, yeah, that night. It wasn't, I don't think it was going to be a full-time thing. Turned into something. Yeah, they were like, can you just do that? I was like, yeah, sure. And then when you ended up breaking up. up with Fandango. Those slaps you gave him,

they were stiff. Were they really? They look like it. Maybe you're just that great, though. I'm just too committed, I guess. I don't know. It was one and then another. Yeah.

I don't know. House of Summers. Summers was good. Oh, Summer. Did she slap him too? Summer lays it when Summer Ray does a slap. She lays it in there. Yeah, she does.

Yeah. Yeah. I don't know if they're like Stephanie McMahon level slaps. No, she's the, She's the... Yeah, why is she the best at slapping people? I don't know, but she's the best. Everyone talks about that.

I think nearly every pre-tap that I did with slaps, Stephanie Ma'am's always the producer for it. I always remember with Kelly Kelly. When we had those, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, hers are like iconic. Iconic. Melina's too, if you remember the one that happened with Maria one time.

Oh, sure. Do you remember that? Yeah. That was a, that was, she's pretty up there. Your gear. was a tribute to your mom. Yes. What's the story behind,

it looks like the infinity symbol, but it's actually an eight, right? Yeah. So my mother died on August 8th, 2008. And at that time, 8, 8, 8. Yeah, 8. So at that time, I actually lived here in California.

Like, I lived here in Los Angeles. And the building I was living out was 8-8-8. So I was like, whoa, you know what I mean? So when I came back, when I tried to design my gear and I needed a logo, I was just like, you know, let me give that, I want to give that to my mom. You know what I mean? I was just like, let me, I like that works.

It means something. It's touching to me. And it's like, my mother never like got to see me like wrestle live or like that. Like, you know, so it was, it just felt good to have that for her. And then she died just before her 48th birthday. So that's why I kind of like with the A, it just, it just, like I said, I always go with my gut kind of thing. And it just felt right to do that. Yeah.

Do you think about now that you're older than she was? Yeah. Wow. Yeah, I'm 40, I'll be 49, like, coming up. Yeah. I was just thinking about that just the other day. I was like, oh my God, I suppressed my mom's age, you know, and I'm like, wow. You know, like, but what can you do, right?

It's just, it's just, it was her time and that's how I just look at it. And, you know, I was going to be grateful for the life that I have, you know what I mean? Yeah. Because it can go so fast, you know? I'm sure she'd be so proud of you. I don't know. Maybe. I hope so.

Are you proud of what you've done in WWA? See, I'm so hard at myself. Like, I'm probably the wrong person, like, to ask. You know what I mean? Like, I still don't look at it. Like, I still think I could have done 100 times more, better than what I do. Do you think if you take those nine years

and you plug them into a different era? Like, instead of starting in 06, if you started in 2016, 10 years later, your career looks so different. Possibly. But maybe it doesn't happen at all. That's what I think, no, I'm a diva. 100%.

I'm a diva search winner. I stand by that. And I love that you own that too. Absolutely. I support that. Listen, without that, I wouldn't have even had the opportunity to do that. So for me, it's like, I am a diva. The generation now that we have with the women of WWE superstars, that's amazing

to watch them. But for me, I stand firm. I love that I came from the diva search. I will always be proud of that era. Whether it was, you know what I mean, whether people love it or hate it. it, it still was a pathway to what you've got right now. You know what I mean? And I'm proud. I'm a Diva for 100%. Well, look at them now. They've got a W.W. Women's Intercontinental Championship. Wow. Women's United States Championship. Women's tag team championships.

Wow. Right? Like when you were, when you were first getting into it, there was one belt. I know. That was it. I know. Now there's the opportunity to win multiple belts. Which is like amazing within itself. Like, I think it's so great for the women that coming in now and they get to have all of that and stuff like that, it's amazing. I still wouldn't change my path. Does that make sense? You know what I mean? I'm so happy that they have all that, but I still wouldn't change anything. You've been talking for a long time about starting your podcast. When is this happening? You know what? This might be the best time to start plugging it. Do you think so? I think so. I think a lot of podcast listeners right now. I know. You know what I think

it is? I think I'm so nervous. To be honest, since I haven't done anything in such a long time, like I'm so like nervous and stuff like that. But I see the love. I see you at conventions. I see the lines. You know that people are going to listen to this. Here's my thing. The podcast,

what I want to do and want to plan, it's going to be just for the diva era. Like it's not, it's just going to be about like celebrating divas. So I think, you're right. I just got to get it done. I'm just,

honestly, I'm just like, I'm just procrastinating and I'm just nervous. I've got to jump on it. I do. I do want to do my podcast. And I want to have the divas on there. I want to tell you.

you guys stuff that happened, the botches, what happened to us backstage? You know what I mean? Like some of the drama, because when you were a diva, you got to remember, like you said, there was only one title. So it's like how many beautiful women, how many talented women you got here, and you're not, you're all fighting for one spot kind of thing. So I do want to, I have stories like when we travel together and stuff like that. So I do, I want to give people an insight to the diva era that I don't think, that hasn't been, you know, hasn't been told yet. There's still so much to tell about the Diva era. And think about this. So you could have you and Michelle on, what an episode that would be. You and Mickey, what an episode

that would be. I know. I'm trying to think me and Kelly Kelly. Of course. Try to think Candice, Michelle. Like, I want to have most of the Divas. I even want to get some of the Diva Diva Search girls on that were on, you know, the contestants, stuff like that. Yeah. We've already locked in a bunch of listeners that are listening to you talk about this right now. I know, guys, I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. There's so much stuff I do want to do. You're right. There really is. I've just been nervous, to be honest to you. Well, I know that people would love this.

And if I can give you just the tiniest piece of advice, when you do start this, just make sure you stick to a schedule. So make it every Monday, but make sure you do it every Monday or every Wednesday, whatever it happens to be. But like, just make sure you stick to that because your audience will start expecting it. They'll go, oh, it's Tuesday. A new episode will be coming out today. Okay.

And you could also just do it on, it doesn't need to be a guest every time. You could just talk about your, you could talk about a paper view and just your experience on that pay-per-view. People would love this. Thank you, Chris. I'm going to do it. I'm nervous. You can tell by myself.

I'll be your first subscriber. Thank you. Thank you. So, I'm excited to make this happen. Me too. Thank you. But what you were saying there made me think of something. Who did you travel with?

Oh, my goodness. Did I stop traveling? Kelly, Kelly. Me and her, I'm not kidding. I just saw it today. We were just together today. She's so sweet. Oh, yeah, she told me to tell you that.

She told me to tell you, you say hi. Oh, I love Barbie. She said, you're going to have a great time with him in the interview. Yeah, she was telling me, she was like saying so many high praises about you. So she said hi. Oh, my gosh. I paid her for all of that, yes. Why would you do that?

No, she told me to tell you hi. Oh, well, hi Barbie. She's awesome. I have so many stories of Barbie and I traveling together. Brooke Adams I used to travel with and then Maria. Maria was actually the first one I ever showed me like when the iPhone came out because we never had navigation and stuff like that. I'm going to have her on the show soon, actually.

Oh, she's awesome. I can't wait. Yeah, she's awesome. She's awesome. She's awesome. I haven't seen her in a while. She's showing you navigation on the iPhone. Yeah.

Before that was printing out MapQuest. Yes. That's how, yeah, it's a long ago, but I didn't know anything. She was actually the one that gave me that. And then I'm trying to think, who else I've traveled with? Ariana Andrews. That's why I came, I'm here in LX for her Poundtown Wrestling. And who else?

Melena. I'm sorry, not Melena. Rosa. Sorry, I forget, Rosa Mendez. I travel with some guys. I'm trying to think. Like, I've traveled with so many different people. But Kelly Kelly, I'd say, has been the most, like, I've traveled with Eve.

Sorry, Eve. I've traveled with Eve a lot. I think she lives around here somewhere. Yeah, she does. I think she's in Southern California. Yeah, she's from here, yeah. Square up. You know, what's going on, man?

Sanjay Bertolt, two-time world champion in our fault. I loved it. I really wanted to do that sit down from a fighter's perspective. My G. What's going on? What's going on? What's going on? Now you got a chance to really draw in your audience to let them.

me see who you are. I've had to have a lot of internal talks to say, do I even want to carry on? But spiders, we know what time it is. Like, I think the time is now. Square up. Follow and listen on your favorite platform. Let's go.

So what does life after wrestling look like right now? Well, got to get on my podcast now. That's what I have to do. So, no, I want to do more stuff involved with wrestling. I do. Whether it's possibly writing a book, you know what I mean? Like, while I was there, time there, stuff like that. But I wanted to share with you guys because I've never

shared everybody, but I had a baby girl in 2022. So I'm a mama. Like I'm pretty much, thank you so much. I spend a lot of my time with my, she's my heart. Sorry, she changed my world. So I don't share much on social media about it. But that's her name. If you feel comfortable sharing. I don't know if I can share it to be honest with it. It's okay. But yeah, you're a little girl. She's a little girl. And she's my heart and changed me forever. Changed me forever. So that's what I've been doing to as well at home. So private, stuff like that.

You've been busy being a mom. Yeah, I love it. So you got a four-year-old? She's four. Today. Today! Today! Happy birthday to your little girl.

I know, thank you. She's four today. Can't believe it. My little girl just turned three last week. Oh. So I'm with you. And what an age. Just wait.

Three nager is a real thing. Oh, my God. And I heard four is going to be rough. So I'm waiting until she gets to five. So I'm, it's so. it's so funny seeing a little mini you. And then you see who you are, your personality, like your, just everything, your stubbornness, you're like everything.

I see me and I'm like, my God, but yeah. It's funny because being a parent is the most magical, wonderful, positive, amazing, fulfilling experience, but also the most frustrating at the same time. Absolutely. I had no sleep. Like, literally two days, like, I was, come in here and for two nights she did not, she would let me sleep. Like, I just, I just, you know, so that's the thing I think is one of the hardest me being

parents is like, my sleep, that's it. Yeah. Did you always want to be a mom? I don't know, no, I always was scared that I would ruin a child. Like, I don't know why. Like, I was always, like, scared of like, you know, because that's a big, big response. You know what I mean? Of course.

And I didn't, and then I think I got pregnant when I was four and didn't, and here's a thing. Wasn't trying. didn't do IVF. Didn't even think it was ever going to happen. Like I didn't even know. I thought I had, like, how can I say this? I thought I had, because my mother had cancer, I thought, I thought, I had cancer. I didn't.

So yeah. So yeah, it's been, it's amazing. I wouldn't change it. But like you said, it's a lot of work. I love that for you. Thank you. But what a magical time to have young kids. And it is not lost on me how short this period of our lives is.

Right? Like little kids are only little kids for this little four, five, six year window. Yeah, that's what I'm hearing. Everyone keeps saying, you got to enjoy every second. I hate when people say that. Oh, yeah, it goes by fast. It's like, I know. What can I do? I'm appreciating. I'm trying to be present, but it goes by fast. It's also tough. It's also tough. It's also tough, and you're not getting a lot of sleep. And you're also still trying to focus on your career. There's a lot of things. My God, she's the boss. She's so bossy. I love that for you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations.

And congratulations on an amazing career. Oh, you're sweet. Thank you, Chris. Thank you. Yeah. You're wonderful to talk to. I love seeing you at conventions. Thank you.

I've bugged you for so long to make this happen, but there wouldn't have been a better time than now. Without 100%. And it's just not, I feel bad. It was just like I was so, like I said again. You're nervous about it. I don't know. I just, when I was younger, I was just like, you know what I mean?

Like you said, I would just go and commit, and I think the older I've gotten and stuff like that. And also I've had so much. you get so much hate on social media, which is like, especially like in the past when I was in WWE, we really didn't have, do you remember? Like, we really have much, you know what I mean? Like, they had the dirt shoes. I don't feel like, how long ago is that? But you didn't really have people being able to just have an opinion and, oh my God. And so. A direct line to you. So now it's like, you, you open up your thing and you're like, oh,

like it, so for me, it was a little bit nerve-wracking. But no, I, like you said, it's just, you just got to grab it. You just got to do it. Would you say there's a difference between who you are in your everyday life and then flicking a switch to be the performer, whether that's for the Miami Heat, whether that's dancing in a music video or being a WWE diva? Oh, God, yeah. Yeah, 100%. Like, it's when I, as soon as I think, okay, I'm going to do diva stuff, I thought that, I go back to like when I was younger. You know, I don't, I'm not younger.

You know what I mean? It goes straight back to that. And then it's like, it puts me in that diva mode that I have to go, hold on, I don't need to be that now. need to be, you know what I mean? Like, just be you. You're okay. This is who you are. This is who you are at your time. Just be you right now. So there is. And then I promise you nobody. Like I don't tell anybody like, you know, I live in Arizona. I promise you like people that I meet every day and now, they don't know anything about my past career. And I don't share it. Do you ever get recognized outside of conventions? It's happened. Yeah, of course it's happened.

But trust me, I don't even, sometimes I'm, I don't think people would even recognize me sometimes. I don't think you look that different. Well, you know, I'm normally on mom duty. You're glammed up right now. You know what I'm saying. Like, glimmed up and stuff like. So people wouldn't, I don't think, recognize me and stuff like that. And I don't really like carry myself where I want attention.

I don't. If that makes sense, I don't want the attention outside of it. I like it when I come in and do it, but I don't want the attention when I'm. So I love it. I love it. I do. I enjoy that I can just step away and it's nothing. And then when I come back and do stuff like this, it's amazing.

You know what I mean? So. What are you most proud of from your wrestling career? Like, cool. I have to say, honestly, that was the highlight of my career. Very, very proud of that. I'm proud that I won the titles. Like, I'm so proud that I've even got to do that.

Should we try to find you the other half of the women's championship? No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, maybe we can track it down. I doubt it. We'll see now. It's out there in the world. No. They tracked down, remember when with a rock and stone cold and the belt got thrown into the river,

they tracked that thing down recently. No way. Well, someone's going to reach out to you now what, or me. I'm just saying. I didn't really see what I'm saying? I didn't really keep anything wrestling right. Remember brillian and stuff like that? I said, no, I just didn't.

I just didn't do it. I don't know. You've used the word a few times here, grateful. That's such a huge thing for me. I love focusing on the things that you have. have and being grateful for them. And that's the question I ask at the end of every interview. By the way, thank you for making this happen.

No, thank you. Congrats on an amazing career. Thank you. Congrats on the podcast you're launching soon. What's it called? Oh, right. Now I'm going to ask you to do it. That's right.

It has to do it. It has to do it. It's called At Late Talk podcast. Okay. There we go. Yeah. And sometime this year. It'll be this year.

Okay. For sure. I have every, you know, you know, it's so crazy is I have everything. I have the guys ready. We have all that. It's just me. like, let's do it. We have the first episode written out. Okay. I know, I know what's wrong with? No, no. Put two out the first week.

So then people like when they love the first one, they'll be able to go right into the next one. Okay. I might be texting you, Chris, but now. I'm happy to help in any way. I'd love to help. I'm going to be your first subscriber. Okay. Yeah. I'm a hold you to that. Happy to help. The question I ask everybody at the end is about gratitude. Yeah. It's just a huge thing for me. So Layla, what are three things right now that you're grateful for? My daughter I'm alive and

that I'm able to live the life that I live that makes sense I'm not saying like I'm happy I'm alive but I'm happy that I get to live that I've lived because I've done everything I have really wanted to do does that make sense?

Like I'm just happy that I just how did I get on this journey? Like just forever grateful for that just grateful grateful. Well, we can hear all about it on Lay Talk podcast. 100%. 100%. No, 100%.

100. I will. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I love it. Thank you again. Thank you for having me, Chris. Thank you.

I appreciate it. Thank you. Full Send Golf. You guys know how much I really, really love golf. Fullsen Golf, 2v2. Me and VOD versus Big John and Kyle. Oh, it feels good to be back. On the links with the boys. Join the party on the golf course.

Back to golf in a big way. Now what? Practice. Let's go to the range. I was like, let's go to the range. We are headed to the golf. You want to golf? No.

You don't play golf? No. Try. We got to break par. I'm very, very excited. You excited? Yeah. Fullsen Golf. Follow and listen on your favorite

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