Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Nia Jax On Dominating WWE, Punching Becky Lynch, "My Hole", Men's Royal Rumble, The Rock

Episode Date: February 3, 2026

Nia Jax (@LinaFanene) is a professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. She sits down with Chris Van Vliet in London, England to discuss her WWE return and why it has been much more successful this time around, punching Becky Lynch and the backlash that followed, responding to online critics, taking an RKO from Randy Orton in the Royal Rumble, yelling "My Hole" during a match on Raw, taking a stinkface from Rhea Ripley at a WWE live event, crushing Lyra Valkyria, getting hit by a drunk driver before her wrestling career started, being cousins with The Rock and more! Please support our sponsors: HELIX SLEEP: Flash sale! Go to https://helixsleep.com/cvv for 20% off sitewide! DELETEME: Use the code INSIGHT to get 20% off your DeleteMe plan at https://joindeleteme.com/INSIGHT CAR GURUS: Buy or sell your next car today with Car Gurus: https://cargurus.com HIMS: For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/INSIGHT 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 AMERICAN FINANCING: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-721-3300 for details about credit costs and terms or visit https://Americanfinancing.net/Chris 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

Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Flee! Is this your first ever podcast? It's not my first ever podcast. But it's been a while, right? It's been a long time. So thank you. Yeah, no, thank you. Thanks for hanging out.

Yeah. I feel like Chelsea's saying all those nice things on my live show. Kind of like, you know, open the door here. It's softened to me. It's softened me a little bit because, you know, I love that she's like so she's out there doing everything for us. Like, I've always said thank you to her. I'm always, like, thanking her because she's barely home. The girl is doing everything from, like, you know, Fanatics Fest to, like, L.A. doing something to New York, to Saudi Arabia doing promotion.

So, like, you know, the least I could do is, like, do something. I feel like I haven't done anything, like, in promoting stuff. So that's what I was like, I'm going to do a podcast. And they put you over huge. Oh, thank you. me, or sorry, Maxine and Chelsea and Matt Cardona. They said you're the best. So, of course.

Well, Chelsea said you were a locker room leader. Nothing but love. She will not stand for Nia Jack's hate. I love that. That's awesome. She's great. I honestly feel the same about her, but, you know, it is funny. Like, since I come back, I have kind of taken on the role of a little bit of the

locker room leader. Just because, I mean, I've been here longer than most of the girls in the locker room and I'm older and I've been around. I've seen it all. So, and I feel as though, like, you kind of have to have a little bit of, like, a tradition in the locker room. And I think it kind of gets lost in this new age. You know, some of the new people they don't really get, like, they didn't come up when I came up. I came up with, like, my coach was Bill DeMont when I got hired for the WWE.

And he was very, like, old school, very traditional in the ways. Like, you know, shake hands, introduce yourself to everybody. You guys set up the ring. You break down the ring. you watch every match. We never had the opportunity to not go to a show even if we weren't working. I had to learn how to ring and outs, how to time keep, how to, you know what I mean? Like I had to learn everything from the ground up.

And it's different now in NXT. So it's not really their fault. They just don't know better. So I feel like since I do know better, it's my job to help. Did you come into that role of being a leader just naturally, you feel like? Yeah. I tend to be a little bit of a type A. like person, a little bit, a type A person.

So it is easier for me to be a little bit more of a leader. Do you look at your career in WWE in kind of like two parts, like up to 2021 when you got released and then everything since coming back? Yeah. I mean, it's hard not to, right? Like, and it could have just picked up where it left off, but I don't feel like it did. No, because I had that break. I feel like I changed in a better way.

Like I got better and I elevated my game a little bit. bit more. And not that I didn't think I had the opportunity in my first part, but I think because it was a different schedule and it was like a, I wasn't really like locked in as I could have been. When I had the break and I was able to see what I could improve on, I was able to like change it coming back. So when you came back, were you coming back with a different attitude? I mean, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, so in some of the girls that I came up with, we all kind of like made WWW our whole lives.

Like morning, noon, and night, like, storylines talking about all the time and, like, worried about our bookings. And back in the day, if you got hurt, you were forgotten about. Like, it was hard to get back in the rhythm. So we just didn't, like, you know, we pushed through things. Like, I'm not hurt. I'm fine. I'm going to stay. And I want to, you know, skip on all my friends' weddings and baby showers.

And then coming back, I was like, it felt different, you know, to where it's like, no, you know, WWB is my passion and I love it. and I want to be a part of it, but it's not going to be my entire life. I'm not going to make it like the focal point. But it also gave me a different perspective as to like making sure I realize that I, I'm kind of, I won't say the prize, but I'm kind of, you know, like I felt like I wasn't the prize before to where it's like, no, I bring a lot to the table. There's a lot in me that I can bring to the table. So it gave me a different perspective coming back.

Who do you think is the version we see of you now versus, say, like, 2018 in the ring? What do you mean? It feels like maybe it's a different style maybe. Maybe it's a different approach that you take to it. How do you contrast the two? I feel as though like before I was taught a certain way like you're a certain size. You can't do these things. Don't stay away from this.

Don't let them do this to you. So I was kind of like pigeonholed into like a little bit of a, and I was afraid to get out of it because, you know, the person telling me is somebody who, runs the show and I have to, you know, like you work for an audience one. Yeah. And so this time around, like, Hunter was more like, be you, be you, do you, show him what you can do because like, you know, he's like, I know what you're capable of. So I feel like the difference is just me kind of like being myself a little bit more. Like I'm more, you know, adding who I am into my

character instead of like, I got to stay here and make sure that, you know, somebody's happy. I don't think that people appreciate how athletic you are. Like right before coming to WWU, you played sports, right? And you have that athletic background. And it feels like when you do pull out something athletic in the ring, people are like, oh, wow. Yeah. Did you see what Naya did? Yeah.

I feel like she could do that anytime she wants. Yeah. I mean, like I said, there was something where it was like, oh, no, you shouldn't do that. Somebody like, you shouldn't, your size. Like stay in this kind of like in this lane because this person does this. this person does that and like you are special here. And so it was kind of like, you know, I'd always get shit on like, oh, you're boring, you're this. And I'm like, actually, no, I can do things. I just, you know, you stay in the lane that you're told to stay in. And like I said,

now it's like, I mean, I've played sports my entire life. I've never not played sports. You know, I played basketball, soccer, baseball, you know, anything I could. I'm a pickleball player now. Pickle ball. Yeah. How often do you play pickleball? Well, since we've been on the road, not as often. But when I was off, that's like when I was trying to lose weight, I got bored with certain, like, cardio. And I would just play pickleball, like, all day with my church group. We'd, like, go at, like, 7 a.m. to, like, noon. And, like, it was so much fun. So pick a ball is the weight loss secret?

It's part of it, definitely. Pick a ball ball, Pilates. Okay. Yeah. Oh, so you've been doing Pilates with Maxine Dupri? Oh, my gosh. She was, like, nonstop. Well, she's insane.

Like, she's the workout queen. Like. Pilates princess, she said. She is a Pilates Princess. And I have tried a class with her. And it, I mean, it's good because it challenges me. It's so freaking hard. Yeah.

But no, she's incredible. Fitness queen. So all of this together was just like, you wanted to have a new look or was like, you've dropped a lot of weight. You look amazing. Thank you. It's funny because right now I just told one of the girls. And they were like, no way, because they hadn't seen me at my biggest.

Like right now it's probably like my fitness journey started three years ago. At this point, I've lost a hundred. hundred pounds, like, since I started. Wow. And not a lot of people saw me when I was that big because I wasn't really working here, and I tried to stay off the Internet. But, yeah, this is actually the way I started an NXT at when I got hired. So it's kind of like people haven't seen that because I never really had the opportunity

to, like, lock it in, and I've been locked in. But that's like losing a whole person. I know. My nephew was like, I'm 100 pounds. I'm like, I know. I just lost you. So you feel like you're locked in now? Yeah.

Oh, yeah. I definitely have, like, I had a real breakthrough when I was off. Like, I got really close, like, with my faith. You know, I got really, like, I started going to church and really just kind of, like, getting deeper into, like, my spirituality. So I think it kind of just helped guide me to, like, get to this path right now to where I'm locked in and you can't break me. You're the only female WWE superstar that at least I can think of,

where they announced your weight. Oh, yeah. What was the idea behind that? I think, I know everybody went nuts and they're like, how dare you announce her weight? And I was like, whatever. So I think the idea was just to be like, I know she's big, but this is how big she is. Yeah, as big is a lot of the men. Exactly.

Or bigger. Like, I'm heavier. Like, I've always been a heavier girl. Like, when, if I showed you a picture of me at my thinnest, you wouldn't even believe. I would tell you, I was like, I'm 225 pounds at my thinnest. And so when I was at weight, I was like, I had like, I was heavier than Roman. I was heavier than, like, all the shield guys.

So I think the thought was it's impressive that you're this weight and the move the way you do. Because it is, like, when you're that heavy, I think they announced me at 270. And that's a lot of weight. Like, to be able to move and do what I've done at 270 is difficult. So I think that's, it wasn't like, oh, let's embarrass her and shame her. It was more of like, no, no, no, we're trying to show you, like, that's impressive. Like Yoko Zuna, he was a big man. But that guy moved.

If you go back and watch his stuff, like he can move. And Vince was like, that's the impressive part about it. And I think that's where the idea came from. When did they stop announcing your word then? Honestly, I don't even remember. I couldn't even remember because it wasn't something, like I didn't have an issue with it. It wasn't like, I'm so upset. I was like, yeah, they asked me before.

I mean, it helps to put you over. Yeah. Right. If someone's coming to the show for the first time, that might be the thing that they leave there with and go, my gosh, that woman can destroy everyone. And so that's how I took it, you know? And, but they, I don't know when it happened. I think it just kind of gradually, like maybe they, somebody stopped and then like it

just didn't get caught, but I don't think it was like a don't announce her way anymore. It's clear you can hang with the men, though. Yes. So you entered the Men's Royal Rumble in 2019. When did you find out you were going to be in that? So I we had rehearsals that day like the women's rumble because it was like me, Becky and Charlotte at the end of that one. And then so the doors were opening and we were in Arizona, I believe. And I was walking back and Johnny's like, hey kid.

Like Johnny Ace and he was like, hey kid, you got to rehearse more. I said, oh, what are we doing? He was like, you're in the men's rumble. I said, what? Doors are open, Johnny. What am I going to rehearse? So like, oh, we're just going to rehearse this part with Truth. And then you go do the women's rumble and then we'll talk about the guys after.

And I was like, what? It was so, like, I thought he was kidding. But then when we rehearsed it, like with truth, like me beating up truth and everything, like entering at number 30, I was like, this is happening. So then I had to like focus on the women's rumble because I still had, you know, I had stuff to do with Lana in that match and then Becky and Charlotte and then run back. and had to go into a room with a bunch of the guys. And they were just saying they're going over stuff.

And they're like, hey, guys, Nyes and the Rumble. So, like, run through with what you're going to do with her. And I was like, I don't get to go into a ring. Did you know who you had spots with? Yeah. Okay. It was Andrade. It was Ali, Randy, Ray, and Dolf.

Right. Yeah. So they were in at the time. And they were like, yeah, now you're going to come in. You're going to drop truth. And then when you slide in, you're going to start. like cleaning house and and then you're going to, you know, you're going to turn into, you're going to eliminate Ali and then there's going to be a spot with, with Andradei and

Dolf and Ray and then you're going to get Archaeoed. And I was like, I'm going to get what? They're like, yeah, you're going to take an RKO. And like, before that, it was like, yeah, you're, you're going to go to tackle Randy and then this happens. I was like, oh, okay. And Randy's like, I'm like, oh, you're not going to bump. He's like, you know, I'll feel it out there. So I was just like sitting there going like, but what I fuck up the RKO. Like, that's one of the most iconic moves in WWE history. Like, I'm already, you know, everybody already hated me.

So then I look at Randy and I'm like, and Randy, like, Randy's super cool. But, you know, Randy has a, like, a reputation of being like, you know, I was like, oh, fuck. I'm like, Randy. And he's like, yeah, I'm like, I'm nervous. He was like, why? I'm like, I don't want to fuck up your RKO. And he's like, don't worry about a kid. He's like, just make a let.

Like, when you turn left, he was like, I'll take you. He just turn to the left and the rest of I'll handle. I was like, okay. So out of that whole match, that was like the most nervous. I was like, I was like, fuck, I just can't fuck up the RCA. We get into it. I beat up truth, poor truth. I beat the shit out of truth.

Go in there, run the spots. Go to tackle Randy. He takes a bump for me. And I'm like, I was like, is that supposed, I was like, I was like, fuck, did I just like hit him too hard? You know, in my mind, I'm thinking like, shit, did I just hit Randy too hard? I hit Randy Orton too hard. Meanwhile, I hear Kim cussing me out. His wife.

Yeah, she's like yelling at me. I'm like, oh, shit. And then whatever we run through it, do the RKO. I remember the 619, the RKO. I'm like, holy shit, this is not happening. Then they dumped me. Then they drop kick me off the apron. Like, it was like a whole, like, when you're in the moment, you don't realize that when I was done, I was like, that was a massive moment for me that they, those guys didn't have to.

They could have said no. that they just did for me. Were you able to appreciate leading up to it, how historic this was going to be? No. I didn't have a moment because I left, I was in towards the end of the Women's Rumble. You know, the Rumble's like an hour.

So, like, it was like an hour, and then I had to go, and then there was a couple matches in between, and then there's the Rumble, the men's Rumble. So I had, like, minutes, you know, to be, like, really... So I didn't really grasp it at the moment.

I was nervous as shit. But when I came back, like, it was great, because, like, truth came and embraced me. Like all the guys came in and told me how great I did. And I was just like, I cannot believe. I was on cloud nine for like a week. I couldn't even like come down from it.

Then I'm like, every girl has to bump for me. Randy Orton bumped for me. Like, you know what I mean? All of you go down easy. Did you feel like this was going to open the door to do maybe more intergender stuff? Yeah. And so at the time, we did have something. Like I was going, I think I went to a storyline with Dean Ambrose right after, like where I like hit up, like I hit them.

Or I bumped him to the ground or whatever. And I think there was supposed to be something that went into a storyline there. But it just kind of fell off. There was like a promotion that we were promoted to have a match at like a live event. And I think in that state, like it couldn't be intergender matches. Oh, wow. So then they had to scrap it. And then after that, I think they just kind of let that story fade away.

Yeah. When you look back at your career, that's obviously got to be a, amazing moment. What are some of the other huge moments for you? Gosh, I get this question. And then, you know, the funny thing is, is that, like, sometimes I'll forget what I've done. Like, I'll have, like, some kids come up to me,

be like, oh, do you remember when you did this and that? And I'm like, oh, shit. No, I don't. I don't remember. Can you remember? Yeah, I was like, fuck, I don't remember that. Gosh, I mean, obviously winning the title versus Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania was a massive moment

because it was funny, because even my brothers didn't believe it. They were like, oh, you're not going to win. You always lose. And they thought, like, they were legit surprise because I didn't tell them, but it was a cool moment. Like I said, I don't even remember what I've done. What have I done?

I've won the title a few times. I've won the title. Yeah, you've won some tag titles. Like, winning the tag titles, it's funny because getting paired up with Shana was such a random pairing up because, like, during COVID, we were, like, rivals. Like, I was beating the shit out of a rambus.

I was just jumping her out of nowhere and we were fighting. And then the next week, they're like, hey, you and Shane are tagging up. I was like, what? And then we went. We had great matches with Sasha and Bailey, and we won the tag titles. And then had a great moment at WrestleMania in Tampa when we were able to have a match against Natty and Tamina. Like, one of my personal favorites, because Tamina was in it. And it was like a huge moment for her.

And then when we were able to drop the titles to them was huge because that was one of her, like, first real titles in the W. Gosh, what else have I done? You were Queen of the Ring. Queen of the Ring. Oh my gosh. Okay, yes. Queen of the Ring.

Don't worry. We've got the entire, we've got a full hour to talk about all of your amazing accolades. I'm like, shit, what else have I done? The Queen of the Ring was awesome. I loved that tournament. Like, I thought it was done very well. Like, all the women's matches were, like, we had all time.

Like, a lot of them had three segments, like, in these matches in every single freaking match, the women were killing it. So I really was proud that I was able to win that tournament. because that was a really good tournament with solid talent. And then winning it in Saudi Arabia. Freaking cool. I had a moment with Hunter in the ring where I cried like a baby. While your badass is crying because, you know, like a year ago from that moment,

like I was in a totally different place. And then Hunter, like, gave me this opportunity. And so, like, having that, like, moment in the ring with him where he came and crowned me, I was like, thank you so much. The dichotomy of that's really interesting, right? Yeah. Because exactly a year prior to your... you went in Queen of the Ring, you weren't even working for WWE.

And here you are fast forward a year. Yeah. And you're getting this crown put on your head. Yeah. It's interesting. When you got released from WWE in 2021, you didn't work anywhere else. No. You have never worked a match outside of a WWE ring.

No. When you got released, was there the thought of, I'm going to do the Indies or I'm going to go elsewhere? Not really. I didn't think that I wanted to wrestle anywhere else. but I did know that I wanted to like still wrestle. I didn't even know, I didn't even know if I was going to come back to the WB, honestly. It was just kind of like, like I said, it was my whole life at the time.

So when I was released, it was kind of a shock where I was like, what is my life? It kind of like I had to reset. I'm like, what is my life right now? Because my whole life's been WWE. And I really didn't think about an after. Which, you know, a lot of wrestlers, they get caught, wrestlers get caught up in that because it happens to be like that. When we're on the road, five days a week, you know, like, you don't really think about an after.

Yeah. And so I didn't think about wrestling anywhere else. I, you know, everybody kept saying, try here and go there. And, and, um. Was it WWE or nothing then? Yeah. Yeah. And the funny thing is I, I had hit up T.J.

About the Rumble, like, when I wasn't officially back. And I was like, what do you think about, like? Because I, I was getting in the ring with them. And I, and Natty and T. just hands down the most amazing human beings ever. They brought me in, you know, like, took care of me. And I was like, what do you think about me? Like, returning at the rumble, do you think they'd be up for that?

And T.C. was like, yeah, I think so. And Hunter was like, yeah, bring her back. And even then it wasn't like I was fully like thinking of coming back. It was just like, maybe I should do this rumble and then, you know, see. But then after I did the rumble, it's like, I miss it. I was like, I miss it. And there's no place like to be to be in my opinion. And, like, if you've been here, I don't know why would I go anywhere else?

So when you came back for that Royal Rumble, it was truly just a one-off spot? Yeah. Yeah, it was funny because I came to the back in Bruce's like, hey, do you want to do this again? And I was like, maybe. You know, it wasn't like, it wasn't, I didn't give him a definite yes because I wasn't really sure at that point. But then I sat and I waited. And it was like, you know, like a girl, like waiting for her guy to call.

And I was like, are they going to call me? like, you know, I'm kind of like sitting around and then got back in the ring and spoke to TJ, you know, and he was just like, he was like, yeah, you know, why don't you come back? And I'm like, okay, let me, I was like, let me get in better shape. Let me like start to really work on it. And then my old coach Sarah Motto at the PC, she's like, just text on her. I was like, what do you mean? She's like, you have his number. Text him. I texted him. Literally, I was sitting at her house, her son and my nephew play together. And I just said, Hey, Hunter, like, you know, how are you doing?

Want to chat? And then he literally, like, two minutes later, he's like, yeah, we can hop on a call later. And I was like, and then it all just rolled from there. Oh, yeah. The United States Soccer Federation present the U.S. Soccer Podcast. My name is David Goss, and I'm joined by my co-host, Megan Clemenberg. And now we're giving people an inside look at the World Cup. Time's ticking.

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After you got released in 2021, and by the way, did that come as a surprise? Yes, it did. So you're trying to figure out what's life without wrestling. Yeah. What did you, what was the answer to that question? Life without wrestling is so grateful. from my family. Like I have the best family. It was totally taken care of. I didn't have to worry about anything. But I had a farm. I had bought a farm actually that year. What animals do you

have on this farm? I have cows. I have a bull. I have some heifers who are pregnant, which I'm excited about. And I have goats. I have chickens. I have a llama. What's your llama's name? Carl. Yeah, Carl. What are the cows named? Cows, we have poppy. We have, Poppy's the baby. We have Pearl and we have Carmelita. And then we have Frank the Tank, who's our bowl. Yeah.

I cut you off. What other animals are there? No, we, I mean, we didn't have ducks, but they just, we had, we have bears and coyotes on our property, so they just got eaten. Sorry. Yeah, no, it happens. And I mean, I have two dogs, Aries and Athena. They're the farm dogs who, we have to transition to the next pen. But, yeah, they're such, they're attack.

dogs are cangles and they're meant for like farms to like they're supposed to scare off i know they do scare off some of them but i think there was like a coyote that came through and they couldn't get to the like out of the fence quick enough it was just a it's a thing farm farming is crazy with the amount you're traveling how are you at the farm so i okay it's been a dream of mine to own land and like have like all my family live on it so uh earlier or like late last year my best friend was like, hey, you have 40 acres. And the plan is to have like my brother live on it too, which he's going, we're doing it. But he was like, can, you know, me and my family want to change scenery. We'd love to have our kids come out and be raised on a farm. So then my best friend just

moved out. And currently right now, his house is being built. So he's living in an RV on the property. And so they, the kids love it. He's got four kids. They go out and they take care of the animals. That's so cool. This is in Florida. This is in Florida. Wow. Yeah. So like, like that is where like my time went to. It was like the farm and my family and then help my brother. Like he started a business. And, and then, you know, I was trying different things to figure out what I wanted, like what my passion was. And like I said, I really got like deep into my faith. And I got baptized again. And yeah, I was, you know, for me, like God really helped settle my, my anxiety and what I was going to do next because I just put my life in his hands. And then, I mean, he's taken me,

he's brought me this far, you know. I feel like with the farm, you're already setting up for life after wrestling. Yes. Like if you didn't have a plan before. Yeah. That's literally what it was where it was like, I just had no plan. And then it was like, okay, well, let's start moving. Let's start shaking.

And it's all, it's great. I'm very blessed. Do you think about how much longer you want to wrestle? It's, no, because as many times as I'm like, well, maybe after this or I've won this title and I've done this, I'm like, oh, I can still do this. And then I see all this new talent. I'm like, hey, I would love to work with this new talent and like, you know, do stuff with them and help them out possibly, you know.

So I haven't really like said, oh, this is the, you know, when I'm going to be done. And I hope it just happens like, you know, naturally where it's like, okay, I think, I think it's my time where I've kind of given enough back to the business who's given a lot to me. So, let's see. You know, they always talk about a bump card, right? Yeah. I feel like you've still got a lot of punches left on that. Yeah.

On that bump card. I'm talking about like, you know, whole punching. Yeah, yeah. Because you started your career a little bit later. Yes. Right? And then you had some time off. Yeah.

So like you have as many bumps as like someone that's maybe 30 or something like that. So I'm down. I mean, like I said like back in the day, it was like, you can't really bump. You don't really do these things. You know, so like. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's literally what it was. And it was just like the art of trying to not bump is, you know, people were like, oh, you know,

it was actually harder to figure out how to not bump in a match. You know what I mean? Then to like just constantly like keep doing these crazy things. But now it's different, right? Like I am definitely like up to do. It's funny because Naomi, her and I would like always come up with these crazy matches. And I'm like, sis, what can you do to bump me? Like, I want to take a cool one.

You know, she always like, and you know, she had such a great heel. turn and like her return was epic as ever. And so when we'd have matches, like we'd always try to figure out something cool to do to like challenge ourselves. Yeah. When you talk about family, I'm so curious, how exactly are you related to the rock? Everybody asked that. So his, his grandfather, Peter Mayvia, is my dad's first cousin. Okay. Okay. So that's how we are related. So are you part of the legendary Samoan family tree? Yes. So on that tree he put up, I don't know if he saw it.

I was at the top. At the top? I was at the top. Yeah, I wasn't down on the bottom, not knocking the people at the bottom. I'm just saying I was at the top of there. So technically you're related to Roman? Yeah. Like somewhere down the line.

Somewhere. Yeah. Technically you're related to the Uso's? Yes. Technically. Technically. Technically. Technically you're related to Yoko

Azuna. Yes. Somewhere along the line. Yeah. Like many cousins. Yes. If you ask my dad, my dad could fully pull out like a lineage. I know that he said there's somewhere, like he knows how to link me up with the Uso's mom,

like how we're like directly like related to their mom. And my like the elders are usually the ones in the Simone culture that keep like we're here, like this family we're related to through here and like this last name we're related to through here, which is a beautiful thing about the Simone culture because we like to keep it family-oriented, but somewhere down the line. We're all cousins. We're all related. You were born in Australia. How many years did you live there? Sydney, I was only there for, I think, a year. Yeah, because we moved to Hawaii soon after. Like, I was like, you're and I was raised on the North Shore.

So technically, the first women's, Australian women's champion? Oh, I totally claim that. Every time you pass Rhea in the hall, you guess what? Yeah, I'd be like, first of all, I know, I think it was her husband. They said first Australian champion one time. And I tweeted, I was like, technically, I was like, it was me. But like being a dick, you know, because that's what I like to do. That makes sense, right? Yeah.

I was like, I'm claiming that. I'm the first Australian champion, women's champion. I had re on the show, and we were talking about the stink face. And she said, it was all your idea. So how did this idea come about? Well, I mean, it was my idea to do stink face. So it wasn't my idea for her to get them freaking cheeks out. But it, so obviously that's what I do, right?

I do the stink face. And as a heel, I like to rub it in, literally. And I just thought, like, we were on a live event. I thought, one night, let's change us up. Why not? Like, I, because it was a cool triple threat moment, me, her, and Shana. And I was like, why don't you give me a stink face? She's like, really?

And Josh, or Jay Uso was there. And I was like, hey, she's about to hit. She's like, you mean like, Rahishi? I was like, yeah, do the full Rahishi. Like, get it. Get it. And then, yeah, we did it. And obviously, like, the crowd went nuts.

And then it was a viral moment. And, yeah, and then we had a good time. We actually switched it the couple nights because everybody was expecting it. And I was, like, trying to be a dick about it. And then I did it to Shana where Shana was like, let me have it. And she, like, closed her eyes. and then like I freaking took out Ria and then she didn't realize it was me

and then it was, it was funny. It was a good time. It's interesting because if this had happened like 30 years ago, right? This had happened in the 80s or the 90s. It would have been like, I heard that this thing happened. And like there's no video footage of it anywhere.

Yeah. Like it would be this like urban myth. Yes. Instead, like everyone had their cell phone camera out and I'm sure by the time you got to the back, it was already everywhere. So I was talking to, some of the guys, I'm like, it's crazy because when they came up, some of the guys who've been

here for a while, they're like, yeah, we didn't have all the social media and stuff. So, like, when they were messing up on the road or, like, having a match that, like, you know, they botched in or whatever. It wasn't all over Twitter or all over Instagram or TikTok. Like, you know, it's stayed in-house. Like, oh, you messed up on it. You know, whoever was in the audience saw it, but that was it. Now it's like, it replays over and over.

It'll never leave me. It'll never leave my side. And the internet's so unforgiving, you know, like when it comes to that type of stuff. stuff, which just, it just sucks. Yeah. Like, but you're no stranger to, like, viral moments. So when you said my whole, yeah. I feel like those two words in that moment got you more over than any match, any

promo, like, just that one thing. This wasn't planned out, right? No. It wasn't like, so it was a table match with Lana. And I don't know if you remember, but during that time, I kept putting her through the table. Yeah, nine times, right? I put her at their table nine times. And then, like, we thought we were going to have, like, her, like, redemption moment at our Survivor Series.

But it didn't happen. So then we ended up having this table match. And when we were rehearsing it, it was suggested that I'd do a leg drop on the apron. I was like, oh, my gosh, I don't bust my tailbone. I was like, what about my hole? Like, just as a joke. And I remember saying it to Hunter and being like, you know, like, my whole, like, before the show. And then, and he was like, yeah, that'd be funny.

Because it was when we had, it was COVID. There was, like, nobody in the audience. So, like, you could clearly hear everything people. We were saying in there. And me personally, it was like, I'm going to say it. Just to, like, pop everybody in the back, like, Vince and all them, like, as a joke. And Hunter, because he knew, like, we were joking about it before. So, yeah, I did it.

And it was like, my whole. And then I literally was just like, this is going to be hilarious, like, for us, right? And then it was trending everywhere. By the time I got to the back, I was like, what the? I thought I was getting in trouble. I was like, sorry. And they were like, oh my gosh, this is great. They actually had a shirt made my whole.

There was going to be a my whole shirt. The first time I ever got like real merch. And then I don't know what happened, but it just got, but literally it was like about to be like printed out and sold because it was trending for like a few days. Describe the shirt for us. I don't know. They didn't show me because I was like excited. I was like, ooh, I get merch and they're like, yeah, but it got kind of like.

And so I don't know what the shirt, but there was about to be my whole merch. And it didn't, it was unfortunate. It got stopped. Could you imagine if that shirt got out and you guys were doing events, like, and there was crowds? I know. It would have been, it would have been a big deal. It would have been huge. Yeah, it would have been a huge hole.

I wonder. I wonder if these shirts exist anyway. I don't know. I'd have to ask our merch guys. The prototype out there somewhere. I was like, send me what we had. Because usually they do this, send us like a little like what they're thinking. Like they'll send a go, here's like a little graphic of what we're thinking.

So there has to be something. It's got to be out there. Because if it got, if it got Knicks, then there's something for them to pitch. That kind of sucks that heels don't get merch really. Like there's exceptions here and there. But like. So that's like, to me that's an old school mentality as well. So I'm never somebody.

It's like, yeah, I get me merch. I, my old school mentality, because I like was taught. is the baby face gets the merch, but back in the day, the merch, the baby face would chip the heel some money, you know, because it's like you're not this baby face unless you have this heel. And it's not like everybody's running to get the heels merch. They're running to get the baby faces merch. And I'm making that baby face. Sure. So that's my mentality. Obviously, I'm not sitting here being like, hey, give me a percentage of your merch. But like, so I have a hard time being like, yeah, let me get all this merch and like, be cool because I'm purposely wanting to be hated.

This is why I don't do podcasts either because I sit here and I talk and people are like, oh, she's actually not that horrible. But like... Why, she's nice. No. But my character's like, no, like, F you, I don't care if you care. Well, buy my shirt. I don't care if you like me.

Like, I'm going to beat up your hero. They're going to cry. They're going to bleed. And you're going to, you know, when they come up and beat me and, you know, get the redemption, you're going to love them. So that's my mentality behind merch. But like, you know, so I'm not really upset about it. When you did this bullying storyline with Alexa Bliss, it was so perfectly done because

how else are we going to get you over as a baby face, right? You're a mega heel. And it worked because it built empathy. Yeah. People felt sorry for you. And then when the moment happened, when you got your comeuppance and you got to attack Alexa was like, ah, yes, how can you not cheer for her? Yeah.

But the performances you gave during that time were deep. Yeah. Like, you were crying real tears. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's something, you know, like everybody. Everybody's been bullied or hurt at one point in their life. And there's something you can pull from, I feel like, in those moments.

And Lexi, I just remember her being like, I don't really want to say this. Like, this is really mean. I don't really want to do this. Like, she had a hard time because she's, you know, she's a great human being. And I was like, dude, like, we got to sell this story. You know, we want this. We want to pitch this. Like, this is supposed to be a major storyline. We want this. And so, yeah, I mean, I have been bullied my life. Like, I, you know, my biggest bullies in my life are my brothers. So I really have thick skin. As in, like, they, you know, like, nobody can really hurt my feelings. But there has been times where it's like, yeah, we've, I've been made fun of for the way I look and how, how big I am and whatnot. And so, like, it wasn't that hard to pull from. But I'm really proud of that storyline because we both, like, we both gave it all. And she's such a great. little actress, like, well, I mean, the thing she's done, you know. Did you know you were going to be able to cry on camera?

No, I didn't. So we had an acting coach, and it was something to where it was like, in the NXT, they wanted us to, like, kind of, you know, have some acting experience before we get out to the main roster. Now it's different. I think people, like, on their own, go and do have acting coaches for their promos and stuff. But he just said, hey, like, if you're an emotional thing, like, try to pull from something that really hurts in your life. And so, like, I have something in my head that will

literally make me cry on Q. And so I used it. Yeah. Yeah, the way that whole storyline played out, I thought was beautifully done. Yeah. And then we're back to booing you again. And then we're back to Hey, listen, I feel comfortable. The baby-faced thing was tough. It is tough for me. I, I, I, I don't know. I just have a hard time, like, being, I don't know, it's hard. It's tough for me. Being a heel, like, because I don't give a fuck, is easier than being like, hey, you know, love me and, like, be behind me.

But, no, I enjoy being a heel. Well, it's difficult because if you're a heel and they cheer you, who cares? Exactly. Right? If you're a baby face and they're booing you, well, you're doing something wrong. I mean, I was there when, during the time, Roman, like, I remember we would go all over the world. And, like, the second his music, he was our top-based, the second his music hit. Boo, like, out of the building.

But I always say this, when people would come up and I was to go back and watch Roman matches. Because I'll tell you this, when his music hit and he was booed out of the building, they booed him just because that was, like, the cool thing to do. But by the end of those matches, he had those people out of their seats wanting him to win, just because he was. because that's how good he is. I said, you know, it was a trend to boo Roman, and he had to find his, like, niche in place. And he did. But, man, those booze were tough.

I think the pandemic was the best thing to happen to Roman because he turns heel and there's no audience there to control. We're telling you, he's a bad guy, and he's going to be pushed as a bad guy. Yeah. So it ended up working out. No, it's incredible, yeah. How have you developed such thick skin?

Just, I mean, I, Simone, like, not just Simone families, but, like, you know, big families, like, you, you get made fun of. And, like, you know, I, I just don't have, like, you know, my mom's German and she doesn't have a filter, like, in my OMA. Like, they don't have filters. Like, you know, if, like, there's, they think that you don't look good in something. They'd be like, you should go change. That doesn't look good. Like, there was never nothing that, like, I couldn't handle. Not that they were trying to hurt my feelings.

And it's funny because people. Like, that's so mean. I'm like, actually, no, they love me. Like, my mom loves me so much. She wants to make sure I look my best. You know what I mean? Like, my brothers make fun of me because they love me. You know, if they didn't care, they wouldn't say anything. So I never really take any like, like, criticism, like to heart because I have had tough love growing up. And it's always because it is it's love. Like at the end of the day, like when people, even if they make fun of me or they're going out of their way because they somewhat care. You know, they have it, they have an attachment to it. it. Like, they wouldn't, who goes out of the way to talk shit to somebody they don't have any kind of caring or feeling about. How do you handle it when the criticism is maybe not just at the Nia Jack's character? Like, maybe they're taking personal shots at you. They're not, they're not any, like, I don't know these people.

Yeah. They don't know me. They think they know you. They think they know me. And you know what? Good. I'm glad. I'm glad they can somewhat relate to a Naya Jack's character and take a shot at me.

I find that to be something like, unfortunate for them if they have any kind of anger in their heart to come to attack people. So it never really bothers me. It's usually like a personal problem for them. The moment with Becky Lynch when she became the man, did you realize in that moment how big, like this affected both of your careers, right? Did you realize in the moment what was happening? No. I do realize in the moment when I hit her, I felt like on my knuckle a little, look. And I was like, fuck. And then, because when it happened, I don't know if you watch, I turn, this will be funny, go back to the beginning where we came in and they were like, hey, we got to sell this

match. Like, go in there, give it your all, say sorry later. Later. Like a producer said that to us. And I was like, all right, we're in there. And naturally, I feel like I'm an easy target because I'm the biggest girl. And they were like, so I kept getting punched, like, hit, like from all angles. And I'm like, Mother Trucker. So I'm whatever. And I'm in the corner with Naomi and we're fighting. And somebody comes and just clinks me in the back of my head. And I just turn around.

I'm like, get the F off me. Didn't realize it was Becky. I thought it was Lana. And I like turned and connected. And I was like, and I felt it. And I was just like, oh, shit. I didn't realize how bad it was until I looked down and I just saw her bleeding all over the mat. And then I'm like, and then she rolled out.

And Dana was looking at her, taking care of her. And then we get done and we go to the back and I'm sitting there going, I'm like, oh my gosh, like I'm in so much trouble. Like, this is it. I think I'm, they're done with me. She's getting, I was getting my papers. And then Becky was in the trainer's room and I couldn't go in there. And, you know, they were checking her out.

And I was just trying to make sure she was okay. And then I had to go talk to Vince and the producers. And they were all quiet, but like talking to each other and not saying anything to me. And I'm just like, I'm like, I'm like, And then I just saw it replay, like in Gorilla. They had it like on the screen. He was talking to Kevin. Like, let me see the footage.

They were replaying it from every angle. And I was like, oh, man. It was, like, a tough time. And then, and then Vince was like, it's not ballet. He's like, shit's going to happen. And I was like, okay. Because I've been cussed out by Vince before for other things. Like, so I thought like, oh, for sure, I'm going to get cussed out for this.

And he was like, it's not ballet. Shit happens. He was like, is she okay? I was like, I don't know. I'm checking on her. He was like, go check on her. And then from there, it just exploded, like, all over the internet. And then I think when I tweeted out, it was a joke, and I asked Becky about it if I could.

It was like I had a cut on my hand from the punch. And it was from the movie, The Campaign. Like, is anybody asking me how my fist is doing? Like, you know, like, I thought it was funny, you know, just like, I'm a heel, I'm a Jess, but it was definitely, people were way too. sensitive to it. It was, I mean, that's when I went nuclear heat. And I'll never forget the next week was Survivor Series. And I wasn't supposed to win that match. I was supposed, like, whatever, it was supposed to be, I think it was Sasha was supposed to win that match. And it was still

trending about the punch. And everybody was telling Vince, like, hey, like, the internet is still going nuts about Naya punching Becky in the face. And then right before the doors open, he was like, finished change, Naya over. And, uh, and he said, yeah, when you go out there, you show your fist and you smile. I was like, all right. Man, this could have gone a completely different direction. I know. Right?

Yeah. Oh, totally. I could have fired that time. Or they could have just been like, we're not putting you on TV for however many months. Yeah. They turned it into something. Now, he thought, he was like, it's a great opportunity. He was like, go out there, put your fist up and smile.

Right. So this now makes you a mega heel. Yep. It turns Becky into the man. Yes. And, you know, a mega baby face. It's amazing how one accidental moment changes both your careers. Yeah.

No, it definitely, it's crazy. And, you know, Becky's are, she was so, she was already kind of going down that path, I think, with her, like, her promos and stuff, like being that badass. And I think that picture of her up in the stands, bleeding, like, totally just being the badass as she is, just set it off. Was it a similar moment when you threw Jade into the steps? Jade's bleeding everywhere. That was weird because I know I'm strong. I know I am strong.

But yeah, that to me, I didn't realize that even happened. I didn't realize she hit her head that hard on the steps. So when I saw it, because I didn't actually get to see the full extent of it until later, I was very shocked that she split open that badly. But, you know, it was definitely different. It was a different moment for sure. But, yeah, that was pretty scary. So scary when you got busted open by the chair.

Tiffany drop kicks this chair in your face. Just like instantly, blood everywhere. Well, so I, it's funny because we give blood for, like, licensing. And every time, it's like my thing, every time we give blood, like we have to give blood, that night in the match, I will always bleed. So there was one match. It was pre-taped, and I hit my head, and I was bleeding all over the, but it, you know, it was a tape show. So they were able to, like, kind of edit the blood out. And that same day, we had to give blood. And because when she hit, my dumb ass had the chair here instead of, like, you know, down more. And instantly it popped. And I was just, but.

You know, your blood thins when you give blood. And so it was already thin in. It was just, I mean, I was just, it was funny because I took a picture backstage and that was even after I'd already kind of cleaned up. I was just bleeding everywhere. But yeah, freaking crazy. Tiffany Stratton, that little brat. That was cleaned up that photo?

Yeah, after they, like, because the doc had to come check and see if I needed, like, more attention. And so he was, like, dabbing me. And then, uh, I got, uh, what did I, yeah, I got stitches on that one. Yeah, I don't know. You can't really see it anymore. I heal pretty good. Yeah.

Yeah. Feeling like Wolverine. Yeah. When you were talking about the Queen of the Ring qualifying matches, you had this match with Lyra. Yeah. Where, I mean, you just crush her in the finish. Like, I don't know how she walked out of there. Well, she's a tough cookie.

I'll tell you that. Lyra is a tough cookie. But, yeah, that was something that somebody had pitched in the, like, for the match. Like, hey, let's try this, like something different, you know? I just, when I, I didn't, like, we rehearsed it, but when we, we didn't go fully in rehearsal, right? Like, I'm like, hey, like, this is a one-time shot. Like, you don't want to keep taking this if you don't have to. So then we did it in the match.

And I just, I remember, like, landing pretty, like, I was full-blown. Like, all 270 pounds of me were into Lyra's rib cage. So she took it like a champ And, you know, she's, I give her all the credit because she's tough. It just looked like devastating. Yeah. Yeah.

Well, I mean, she's, I know how tough she is. She'll probably be like, no, it's fine. That's what she told me. Yeah, no, I, that was all my weight. Her and I think there's a, yeah, her, she's gotten it, and I, and Lash got a pretty bad one too in NXT. I gave her a similar finish. And that was, that was, she got the wind knocked out of her

for sure. Is it true? You're scared of the top rope? Yes. Like you will not, like, there was this total divas episode, right? Yeah. Where you're like, I'm scared of heights, and you didn't even know how to climb up to the top rope. So I've done it, like Norman Smiley, one of my favorite coaches.

Coach Saramato, Norman Smiley, like, Billy Gunn, Joey Mercury, all these coaches that I had down at NXT were amazing. And Norman, like, pulled me aside. He's like, you could do it. You could do it. So I've tried to get. to get up there. It's just like,

I can do it when I'm practicing maybe because I am afraid of heights. It's just like in a match as a whole different story. But maybe the adrenaline's going in the match. Maybe it would make it easier. You know what?

That's going to be my goal is to make it to the top rope. That is going to be my goal for if I get another WrestleMania match, I'm going to the top rope. That's, I love that.

Yeah. People will remember this. Yeah. Like, hey, like the whole punching, right? Yes. It's another bump I got to take.

Oh, I love that. Yeah. That's great. A whole punch that. Is there a match that you wish people would focus on more? You wish people would ask you about more? One that you're really proud of?

I was really proud of that Tiffy match I had, even though it ended in blood. Yeah, but how cool did you look? Thank you. Right. I was really proud of that match, you know, just because it was something. We did so many things in it, the storytelling I got. with Tiffie, I felt as though like, I kind of wish our story would have, I know the cash in was a great moment, but I kind of, like, I loved working with her. And she's one of the best. But like, I kind of wish we had like a bigger, um, showcase PLE for that match, you know, because it was on a, it was like on a random smackdown. Yeah. Um, but, uh, I kind of wish, you know, I could have done that in a bigger show. I love every match I have with Oscar. I love working Oscar. Um, my match was Charlotte where we kind of got into a little tiff, a little back and forth there.

What was going on there? Um, you know, it was the miscommunication. I will say, I'm going to call it a miscommunication. Um, things got heated, like, legit got heated in that match. And I, I did warn her a few times to stop, like, to chill out. And, uh, she didn't. And so then I, I, two-piece. And, you know, we came back and, like, once, like, we were calm and, you know, we were level-headed.

We all kind of were just like, all right, got kind of out of hand. But sometimes it happens, you know? Like, but, yeah, it just got a little out of hand. It got hot. And we just, I started, we started swinging. Are you guys good now? Oh, yeah. Yeah, we're good.

Yeah. But it was definitely, everybody was like, what just happened? Like, even the crowd, like, because when I did, when it happened in the moment, like, I couldn't hear anything because I was angry. Like I was legit pissed. So I didn't hear anything. But then when I felt the dead silence of the crowd, like, I think the crowd was kind of like, they're trying to figure it out.

Like they're like, is this like really happening? And I could hear Corey Graves. Corey Graves, like commentary is the only thing I could hear because the crowd was dead silent because I think they were kind of in shock like what just happened. Yeah. So yeah, it was definitely a moment. So that was a match. I'm like, oh.

But then we were able to redeem ourselves after that. I don't know. I can't. Like I said, I don't ever remember, like, all the things I've done. Is there someone you haven't worked with yet? You can't wait to work with? I had a couple of matches against Raquel. And I wish I, I want to have, like, a, I want to have, like, a big Haas match with Raquel.

Yeah. You know, like, she's, you know, I had, like, a Haas match against Lash Legend, and now she's my tag partner, which I'm super excited. But, like, me and Raquel, like, I feel like, we could, we could definitely get in there and have, like, a big Haas match and I would love to work her. And I mean, honestly, everybody, I feel like it challenges me differently. Like, if I'm working a match with Liv is different than I'm working a match with Raquel, then I'm working with Jade, then I'm working with Tiffie.

Like, you know, so I get kind of excited every time I'm like, ooh, what can I do in this match and what can we tell? Your career almost ended before it started because you were involved in this incredibly scary car accident in 2014, hit by a drunk driver. Yeah. What do you remember from that? So that night we went to my Uncle Offa, my Uncle Offa's wrestling school. He had like, he had like in the end of the year, like party and award ceremony.

I went with my Antietta because she always goes and like enjoys it because she wrestling's like her passion. She loves wrestling. And I remember asking to go to that Offa Livements from Coach Bill DeMont. And after the ceremony, we were all going to a restaurant to have dinner. And we were just driving, and it wasn't nearly that late at night. It was kind of like evening time. And we were pulling up to a stoplight. And literally, it just felt like an explosion, like happened.

Like, just we weren't expecting anything. It just felt like something, like a bomb went off. And I just remember at the moment, like, my ears were ringing. I couldn't breathe. And I just kept trying to, like, say something to my aunt. but I couldn't speak. Like, I didn't know at the time, I guess my collarbone just snapped in half and it was like cutting in, but I couldn't like breathe or say anything.

And I'm looking at her and she's stuck behind. Sorry. She was pinned behind the wheel. But yeah, it was a crazy moment. We didn't realize at the time that a cop was chasing a drunk driver. They were like pulled him over or her over. I think. And then she took off and then she just, like, without the brakes, had no brakes. She just hit us full speed dead on. Thankfully, like the car protected us. I feel like, you know,

the airbags came out and all that stuff. Because you're in an SUV. Yeah, we're in at Cadillac SUV. Yeah. But yeah. Oh, man. And then I got out of the car and ambulance every, it was real quick. The cops were there already because the cop was, you know, chasing the drunk driver. And so the ambulance came quick soon after. And they were just, they had to get the Jaws alive to get my aunt out. Is that Rock's mom? Yeah. Wow. Yeah. What kind of injuries did you have? So I didn't realize at the time, my collarbone had snapped. My right collarbone, this one, snapped in half. And that was it. I just thankfully walked away with that. Wow. Because when you look at the photo.

I know. Which Rock shared that on Instagram, right? And you look at that photo and you're like, I can't believe anybody walked away from that. I know. How lucky are you guys? Oh, we were so lucky and so blessed. And like, Dwayne couldn't get over it. He was just, because he didn't, like, at the, obviously we told me we were a car accident.

He didn't, like, know the full wrath of it until he saw the pictures. And he was, he kept just saying, oh, my gosh, thank God. Like, thank God, you guys are okay. Like, my, like, we had to, you know, go to the hospital. and we didn't know what was wrong because she had a little bit of some internal bleeding and they had to make sure she was okay. But it was definitely a scary, scary moment. And what an appreciation it must give you for just how fleeting all of this is.

Like I said, like my faith, getting back into the church and my faith has really helped me. But I'll never for, I can't ever forget that moment. It literally, I felt like a full explosion. And, yeah. Was there one particular moment that pointed you in the direction of, like, I want to get back into my faith? Being, like, when I got fired, when I, you know, and just thinking, like, I don't know what I have to offer this world. Like, I didn't know what, like, was for me, you know. And it was just kind of, it was dark.

And I had a really great, like my mom was always like, you know, helping me and supporting me. And then I turned to Nikki Bella. And I just said, you know, like, I think I need help. Like, I think I need to, like, talk to somebody. And she said her and Brie go to this great lady. Her name's Carrie. And she's like, here, take her number, give her a call and see if, you know. And she's a life coach.

And so it was therapy. And I never really thought to like get into therapy. You know, I've never been that person. Like my family's always been like, no, you're fine. Like, you know, we work it out here inside the house. And so I've never really thought to go to therapy. And when Nikki introduced me to Carrie, like she's helped me. She helped guide me.

Like, you know, she helped kind of clear things in my life to kind of just guide me to where I wanted to go. And everything, all the work we'd kind of. kept doing, just kept pointing towards faith and church and God. Seems like you're in a great place now. Yeah, and a really good place. You feel like you're in a great place personally and professionally now? I'm in an amazing place. Yeah, personally and professionally.

I also know the other side of like, you know, I'm blessed. Like, I'm able to wake up every morning. I'm healthy. I, like, everything on top of that's icing, right? Like getting up in the morning and being able to move. and live and have a great family. Like that is just, that's amazing. And then being able to do this job is just icing on the cake.

So I'm very blessed. What more is there for you to do in WWA? Well, with my current amazing tag partner, Lash Legend, we are definitely going for those tag titles. I feel as though, you know, I had them with Shannon. I didn't think we got that opportunity because it was during COVID, you know. But now, like, I feel as though, like, Lash, you've never seen this kind of tag team in the women's division ever.

I mean, look at us. Like, two big girls. Like, she's an ex-W NBA player. Like, she is one of the strongest women I've ever met and one of the kindest and a true badass. And so I definitely want to take us, I want us to take those tag titles. Yeah, you guys together are like, what's a force? Yeah. So I'm like, I think that's the next.

next step right now. What do you think your greatest feet of strength has been in the ring? So, like, as in, like, physically or just, like, in general? I mean, there's been times when it's, like, you're tossing people around, like, it's nothing, or you're picking people up, like, making it look like they weigh nothing. So what I like to, personally, what I like to say, like, is my strength is to, like, controlling a match. Like, being able to, like, dictate, like, the pace and how it goes and, like, because of my strength. So I like that. Like I, you don't tell me how I work.

I dictate how you work. That's what I like. So you can just slow it right down if you need to. Yeah. Yeah. Because I'm the big bad bitch. What about in terms of just like pure, like muscle strength? I mean, I've deadlifted Rhea, like, from the floor.

I've deadlifted Shana. Like, Samoans are just, we're naturally strong. I've always been, like, that kid. Like, I can lift heavier than everybody, like, without even trying. So I... Must be nice. That's what people say and I'm like, you know what?

It's a gift because I'll never forget one freaking... What was it? Rumble. Shane was supposed to do this arm bar thing and she just like fell. And I had to like... The part was she was supposed to do the arm bar and I was tossing her over the rope.

She falls and then she looks down at me. She's like, you got this. Like as in like, I'm like, I'm going to have the deadlift you from the ground up. And like, she's a solid girl. She's got a solid trunk. And I just remember, like, damn you, Shana. But I did it. I did it.

You know, there's, so Ria, Ria's a freaking muscular girl, deadlifting her up off the ground. So, yeah, no, I'm definitely strong. I will take that. But, like, I think mixing the strength with athletic ability and, like, you know, storytelling. Yeah. Like, to me, that's real strength. I had Shana on the show recently. And she's like, yeah, I had eight Rumble eliminations.

I believe that's the record. And I said, well, No. Actually. We looked it up. I said, ah, it's, it's now Naya Jackson. She goes, well, if it's Naya, it's okay. I know. I know, that was, that was the thing up until, like, this last one. You cleaned house. Yeah. You eliminated a third of the field. Yeah, at the same time, I was like, get out of here, bitches. Well, because in like, that one rumble where truth entered, do you remember that? And I eliminated him? They didn't count that one. I was like, they didn't count that. They didn't? No. So. Oh, because he was,

wasn't an official entry. He was in the wrong rumble. Yeah. I was like, dang it. So I kept saying nine, nine, but then the next year, I was like, okay, now I officially have. I had to really solidify my name in the book. When you go into it, like, how do you remember the order of all of the people you have to do stuff with? Um, you know, I, that's like a, uh, like, kind of a a gift when you get to like remember. Like, I'm usually, like, we'll go over it with somebody and then like, I'll just remember what I have to do with each person and not like in the general sense. And, uh, but you know it's this person, then it's this person. Oh, that's great. Yeah, we're pretty good. Like, we'll, I'll, we'll know the order, like, ruining. Yeah. I was like, I was going to say KFa, but Unreal destroyed all that shit. So I can say what I want. I feel like, beyond the mat did that as well. Yeah, true. Years ago. Yeah. Um, but yeah, we get the order. And so, like, you know, um, there's like ring generals in there. And I, like, I'm one of them where I'm like, okay, hey, you got to go over here and do this and you got to do that. So like, I, I, like, we'll go over the order and like, well, like, like, Natty will. Like, like, Natty will. Like, like, like, like, Natty will. And like, like, like, like, like, like write down everything everybody does and like send out the list to everybody so we all kind of like

have an idea of what's next. Did you see this thing online recently where people think you look like J-Lo? Do you think you look like J-Lo? No. I think there's that one photo. That's what I'm saying. I think it's a photo and like I had like the hair I had that day and maybe the makeup is similar. Like look at that. That's I think that's a movie called Atlas. Netflix movie. That, okay. That's pretty good. I don't know. You don't, what do you mean?

I don't know. Sisters at worst. Maybe some sort of relation. Yeah. She part Simone. Right. I mean, who knows? Puerto Ricans.

Right. They might, they're islanders too, so. But didn't, this happened in a baseball game, right? At the Mets game. At the Mets game, yeah. So they put up like, this is when fans look like celebrities. Yeah, the lookalikes. So Tiff and I were there and we were like going all around doing like

activities and like, we're going to do a lookalike. And they, they have this picture of J-Lo. And I was like, oh, yeah, that's it. Like, I could see that in that picture. And they did it. They did side-by-side screen. And I was like, oh, yeah, it's pretty spot on right there. Yeah, even in that one. Yeah. And that one. So I'm like, okay, I can see. I don't know. I think it's just probably certain hairstyles. I don't. Yeah, like, if you were in the same room as her, maybe not. Yeah. But you're right. If you guys have the same hairstyle and you put those photos, your faces next to each other. Right. I think it's so funny, though. It, like, I, I, I, I, I, I reposted, like, somebody who posted it.

And I just think it, I find a hilarious, like, I'll take the compliment. It's Jaylor. Yeah. I mean, she's stunning. I'll take that. Of all the people you can be compared to. Well, who am I going to say no? I'm like, yeah, okay, I'll take it.

It's like, well, all right. Yeah, I'll take that. Thank you. Yeah. She's beautiful. Yeah. I'll take it. Pretty great.

Yeah. Thank you for doing this. Of course. I know you don't enjoy doing podcasts. So thank you for hanging out. No, I appreciate it. And you talked about it a little bit earlier about like, you realize how blessed you are. Yes.

I focus on gratitude all the time. And it's the question I ask at the end of every episode. So what are three things right now that you're grateful for? Right now. It's so, like, cliche, right? I'm grateful for my relationship with God. I'm grateful for my incredible family. And I'm grateful for my outside WWE family as well.

because at the end of the day, like, I know we all get caught up and like, yeah, we're the superstars, but like, this whole place has run because of the amazing people that we have. And every day I show up to an arena and I see like these guys have been up since 4 o'clock in the morning building this arena. And by the time we're done with our show, they're staying here until 4 o'clock of the morning to break it down. And then they're still getting on a flight and they're still going home. You know what I mean? Yeah. I sit here, like, I just had that moment when I saw, like, a bunch of them, like, the other day. And I'm like, you know what?

You guys do so much that nobody even knows about for us. And I'm incredibly grateful for it. So I always want to make sure I let, you know, say it out loud and let people know. I feel like you turn baby face during this interview. No. No, definitely not. How can the people possibly hate on you? No.

Oh, my gosh. They definitely can. They'll find a way. Trust me. Oh, like, you know, they'll find a way to hate me. It's so silly. Yeah. You're the best. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. You are too. This was awesome.

Just fun hanging out. Yeah, easy. Chelsea and Maxine were right. Oh, you're the best. Thank you. Thank you. Chelsea and Maxine. And Matt Cardona. And Matt Cardona. Yes. Matt Cardona. He's back. Back. Yeah. Thank you. Of course. The Hammer Alley podcast, an 80s flashback mockumentary. Back in the 80s, there were a thousand bands trying to make it in the world of rock. But there was one band that had it all. Hammer, Whatever happened to Hammer Alley?

How did they go from top of the rock? I'm looking for a music video. They're a band from 1987. Hammer Alley. Ever heard of then? To Rock Bottom. Dude, I was born in 1987. I can't believe he's doing this.

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