Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Zelina Vega: Winning The US Title, Backlash In Puerto Rico, Playing AJ Lee In "Fighting With My Family"

Starting point is 00:00:00 Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Fleet. Ah, yes, welcome back, my friends, to another one here on Insight. It's me, it's me, it's C, V, V, Chris Van Fleet. Thank you for joining us on this one today, and thank you for making Insight the number one wrestling podcast on the planet. Hit a superplex on that follow button right now so you don't miss out on any episodes that we have coming up, especially with SummerSlam this weekend. I'm going to be in New Jersey and New York recording quite a few interviews.

Starting point is 00:00:53 As of right now, we have four confirmed, possibly five. I'm actually recording one later today. And of course, as you know, we have Insight Live tomorrow night with special guest Seamus. So if you're in the area, if you live in New York or New Jersey, and you don't have plans tomorrow at 5 p.m. I'll see you there. grab a ticket at CVVTix.com. CVVTX.com.

Starting point is 00:01:17 I'm pumped to have Zelina Vega on the show for the very first time. We sat down with her, fresh off her run as United States champion. And I joked with her that she is the first American to be the women's United States champion, of course, since my fellow Canadian Chelsea Green was the first winner. We talked about that incredible reception she got at Backlash in Puerto Rico and also how The Rock picked her specifically to play A.J. Lee in the movie Fighting with My Family. She also does a spot-on impression of A.J. Lee. Like, it's so good that you're going to think we dubbed A.J. Lee's voice into this. But no, that is Zalina. What a career she's had. And I feel like the future is so,

Starting point is 00:02:00 so bright for her. Snap a screenshot and tag us. Let us know that you're listening to this episode. She's at Zalina Vega, WWE. I'm at Chris Van Fleet. Let's dive into this. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Zalina Vega. I wasn't sure what color hair you'd come in here with. Really? Yeah. I mean, you mix it up a lot.

Starting point is 00:02:26 You know what? I haven't been for a while. Like, I don't know if people realized. It was red like not long ago. It's been half red and half white for a while. And that's like my Toto Toto Roki phase. But I just started adding in black. So we've got what went into this decision.

Starting point is 00:02:43 Me losing the title That's Yeah It's uh I don't know Feels like a different like Era feels like a different part of me now In a way

Starting point is 00:02:56 What's what's this phase of you then A much more ruthless side of me That I feel like It's been wanting to come out for a while Okay Because I also feel like Zelina's been held down for quite a bit You know especially like being a baby face

Starting point is 00:03:10 Like when I was a heel I got to say whatever I wanted Can I curse on here by I can say whatever you want. So I was like, let me check before I started saying shit. But I am like, she's been held down as a baby face, especially when it comes to like the mic. Because you hear all the time, oh my God, it was so much better as a heel, blah, blah. It's because I could say whatever the fuck I wanted. And no one like bad at neither.

Starting point is 00:03:32 They're just like, oh, that's Selena being Selena. But as a baby face, it was like, oh, you don't want to sound like a heel. You don't want to talk like that. You don't want to be saying this. And I'm like, okay, okay. That's cool. But now I have a reason to be mad. And now I have a reason to talk the way I want to talk to whoever I want to talk to whoever I want to talk to.

Starting point is 00:03:50 The United States Championship just seemed like it was like a really emotional thing for you. What were those emotions when you were celebrating? Well, the day of, like when it actually happened, I think I was just so like in work mode that I wasn't able to grasp what was happening. And then the second I grabbed my face when I was walking up the ramp with it, that's when it kind of hit me. And I was like, oh, shit. Like, this is, this is real right now. Like, yeah, work, stuff and things. And then it was like, oh, shit.

Starting point is 00:04:19 Like, this is my first singles title. Like, what the hell? Just so happened to be the same time that the commentator's putting that over. So it, yeah, I think that's when it hit me. And I was, like, kind of blown away by it. And I wasn't expecting to get emotional because I hate crying. I hate it as much as people are like, oh, she's going to cry again. I hate crying.

Starting point is 00:04:36 Like, I am such like a, oh. So when it was coming out, it's like you kind of fight it a bit. But that moment and backlash for the two that I just let it go. Was there a moment earlier in the day or maybe earlier in the week when they told you that you were going to win? No. Where you were like it hit you then? It all hit me kind of then because they told me maybe like an hour or so before the show started. Oh.

Starting point is 00:05:00 Yeah. Because the thing is, Chelsea and I had wrestled each other a bunch prior. So it was like, okay, we're just going to have another match and it's going to be this is this. But I didn't think anything of it as far as like what the outcome is going to be. I just assumed that she was going over and that that's how it was going to go until PD pulled me aside and he's like, hey, so by the way. And I'm like, no, no. And he's like, yeah. And then he kind of got into other things.

Starting point is 00:05:25 And I'm like, all right, cool, this, this match stuff, things. And it didn't register. And then by the time it did, I was already holding it. So I was like, oh, God, they didn't even have my side plates ready. It's like, it wasn't planned. Like it was so, I think it was very spur of the moment for them, too, because they, they had to like make my side place. Like it wasn't supposed to go that way.

Starting point is 00:05:44 What was the emotion that hit you as you were going back up the ramp? Shock. I think I even said, oh shit. I think I was so like it was in shock, but it was also like excitement and some weird form of fulfillment too. Like I felt like things had finally come like full circle in that moment because I think even the fans were shocked. Like they weren't expecting that either.

Starting point is 00:06:10 You can kind of tell. by like any of the fan cams or any of the clips that I saw, like especially this one clip, this guy was like, yeah, all right, one, two, oh my God, you know, so it was cool to see that too. So I think we all kind of were in this moment of shock together in the arena. It's fun that we're in an era of wrestling now where titles can change hands on a weekly basis. Like there was a long chunk of time where it was on a PLE or nothing. Yeah. Now it's like Jay Uso winning the Intercontinental Championship on Raw, you winning on Smackdown.

Starting point is 00:06:39 Like it's just like it makes you realize you need to tune in every week. Which I like. I think that's really cool. And it's making it feel different. And you just, I don't know, I like not being able to expect everything. You know, like sometimes when it becomes, I don't say boring, but it's, it's predictable when you know, okay, this person, this person, this PLA. Okay, well, how they set it up was this person was over on Smackdown beforehand. So then this person's going to, they can kind of figure it out.

Starting point is 00:07:05 Yeah. You know, so yeah, it's nice that people just can get lost in the moment. Us too. Chelsea might be the first United States champion, but you are the first American. United States champion. That is true. Yeah. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:07:20 I mean, there's that. I think it's just funny because I even find her hysterical. Like her and the whole group is hysterical that none of them are American. It is the best thing. So, yeah, I give her credit. I give her a lot of credit. So you were the first United States. United States, your first American to hold it. Yeah, United States born. Yeah, United States born,

Starting point is 00:07:42 United States champion. There we go. Yeah, that should be assured or something. Yeah. Since you brought it up, what was that moment at backlash in Puerto Rico? What was that wave of emotion that hit you? Also, very unexpected. It just, because that match wasn't supposed to be about me. It was supposed to be about Ria. And it was supposed to be like her first title defense. She's going to look like a monster. Like that was the plan. I understood it. Everyone understood that this is what was happening until that night before. And then once I came out with Ray, everybody was all kind of like, oh, hmm, this seems like, you know, because that match is to say it was supposed to be a lot shorter than what it was.

Starting point is 00:08:23 Very, very, very short. And I just remember, like, after the match with Ray and whatever, mind you, I felt like an eight-year-old again, like in my head. I'd stay next time. Every time I see him, I get giddy because it's just, I'm like, shit, that's right. Who's taller? He is taller. He is taller, yeah. Even with these heels on?

Starting point is 00:08:45 These are big. These are really big. I want to say he still is taller. And even if it's not true, it's true. What's your legit height? I don't know where this is. You're like, whatever it says online. Well, that's the thing.

Starting point is 00:09:01 I don't know how the five two thing came about because I'm like, you have me sitting next to Alexa, it is very clear, like, who's taller and by how much. So I think she's five, two. So I'm around five-ish, maybe on a good day. Does your height begin with a five? Would you like it to officially? Sure, we're not. We've had a lot of people's heights changed on this show on Wikipedia. Well, then, yeah, it'd be exactly five feet if I can put a, you know, a number on it. It may not be true, but that should it be it. We'll have it fixed for you. All right. Yeah, I don't know where this five, two, it's everywhere, though. And I'm like...

Starting point is 00:09:37 Wrestling heights. They're inflated. Yeah, but then it says me and EO are the same height. And I'm like, dude, have you seen us standing next to each other? Come on. But yeah, it's... They'll say five feet. So in reality, it might not be, but five foot.

Starting point is 00:09:51 Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you know, especially if I get on a plane, you're even shorter. So... What do you mean? It shrinks you. Oh, like it compresses you? You're on a lot of planes.

Starting point is 00:10:00 This is true. So hopefully, luckily it doesn't stay like that. Yeah. You eventually get back to normal. But yeah, I remember when I had one of my first, like, tryouts to be and they're like, okay, yeah, four or nine. I was like, no, do it again because that's not real. Like, do it again tomorrow.

Starting point is 00:10:16 And it wasn't. It changed. So it's a legitimate thing. So back to backlash. Was the plan for you to come out with the flag? Was that all part of the plan? Yeah. Well, they didn't know that, but I knew that.

Starting point is 00:10:27 Like, I was like, I want to be a walking Puerto Rican flag. Like, I've never gotten to wrestle in Puerto Rico. I never got to do it in front of like that specific part of my family that lives out there. So I was like, I want to be a walking point from the hair to the nails to the shoes to the outfit to the I wanted everything. And yeah, it was just in my head I had such a detailed like vision. I was like I needed Usama to do my gear in the flag. I needed Kendra to do my hair. Like I was very specific on who was working on what.

Starting point is 00:10:57 And yeah, it was just, I don't know. even when I think about it now, it feels like I don't remember exactly how it went, but I do remember the feeling of it. Like, I remember feelings. I remember like the lump in my throat, like the hole in my chest, like the sinking feeling in my stomach and like just not being able to breathe all the way because I was so nervous. You know, so it's those feelings I remember. Or I remember crying. I remember punching me in the face for no reason. And she just, like, didn't even react.

Starting point is 00:11:33 She just, I think, again, and I've said this before, but when she gets into, like, beast mode, it's just, like, her eyes are black and she's not there anymore. She's not, you know, herself anymore. She is Ria, this, this entity. So, yeah, I just, I remember, like, little things like that. I remember, obviously, the, the Chancla moment with my mom. And I remember, I knew I had really bad aim, so I don't know how I hit her. No clue at all. Like, no clue.

Starting point is 00:12:01 So it's just, it's certain things that I remember. But I also remember, like, having the conversation with Ray prior. And he was like, you're always so high strong. Like, breathe, calm down. And right before you go out there, just take another deep breath and just feel it. He's like, I know you don't like feeling, but just be in it. If you want to be happy, be happy. If you feel like being, you know, sad or angry or whatever, like Zelina's feeling in that moment, let it be amplified out there.

Starting point is 00:12:28 It looked like you felt it. Oh, yeah. I felt it. I feel like everybody, like, felt it. And it's weird because to this day, that's the only time I can recall Rhea ever getting booed. So it's, it was really just, you know, how passionate those fans were. And I think they, as much as they loved her, they also felt how much it meant to me, which made them go, all right, yeah, like we're rocking with her.

Starting point is 00:12:53 Was the wave of emotion that hit you? Was it like, I can't believe I'm here. These are my people. I'm on the island. This is Puerto Rico. Was it also like I've been doing this for so long and I'm finally having this moment? Yeah. And I think it in some weird way, like I remember thinking like this is my WrestleMania.

Starting point is 00:13:12 Like this is this felt like WrestleMania, especially the second that they panned out and you see everybody in the arena and then just a little me. I was like, holy shit. Like I never thought I'd have this amount of people like really invested and. cheering and screaming for me. Like, because again, it went from being manager to wrestler, but heel wrestler. So people weren't supposed to like me for, what, seven years? And then all of a sudden it was just like, bam, you know? So it just was nothing like I had experienced before, expected nothing.

Starting point is 00:13:46 And again, because the match was supposed to be so short, it's funny that it wasn't by anybody else is doing with the fans that they changed it. Like, the fans had the power that, like, those. two nights, one million percent the fans have the power because they changed everything. They changed everything for the match. They changed everything for me as a performer. Like, they've changed so much that night. And I feel like they still probably have no idea, like, how much that night meant to me.

Starting point is 00:14:15 That crowd was wild. To this day, I've, like, I've never experienced anything like that. The reaction you got, the reaction that bunny got. Like, that place was shaking. Yeah. Like physically shaking, though. Like, like actually shaking. And I remember thinking, like, he is like a god here, obviously, but that was to be expected.

Starting point is 00:14:35 Like, I knew that the second that I heard his, his entrance music hit, I was like, oh, yeah, this is going to be insane. But for me, for Damien, I think it was just like. Carlito to. Carlito, yeah. Like, just, it was such a beautiful, like, love letter to Puerto Rico and all of its wrestlers. Like, I think that's really what it was. It was, like, a love letter to them by the fans. you know how much do you think Puerto Rico has shaped you how much do you think being born and raised in

Starting point is 00:15:07 New York has shaped you so we'll get to New York but Puerto Rico it's interesting because I wasn't born there but you know they always say like I'll be Puerto Rican if I was born on the moon like you can be Puerto Rican through and through just by having it in your blood and that is so important to us and I think it's cool because that night it's didn't matter what my hair color was, what my skin tone was, if it was like a light of Puerto Rican, like J-Lover, it was darker skin, like, like, you know, like a Tito Trinidad. Like, it didn't matter. It didn't matter how much Spanish you spoke. It didn't matter how tall you were, nothing. It just mattered that she's one of us and we're rocking with her. And that, that was like the most

Starting point is 00:15:46 important thing to me because, you know, there's a lot of things that people say like, oh, you're not Puerto Rican enough. You're not Spanish enough. You're not this enough. But that night, it felt like it didn't matter because they made me matter. And it was just so funny because I think coming out of that, I was like, well, of course, I still want to have, you know, the flag with me because it just felt like such a cool thing to take with me to constantly like, I guess, represent that moment and what those fans were. I felt like they were in the flag. Like, every time I came out with the flag, I felt like I was like opening it to them again.

Starting point is 00:16:21 So that's why I liked continuing it. But, you know, now that we've had like a different change, it's, you know, I'm still trying to bring the flag, but not so outwardly, you know, because I was supposed to come out with a motorcycle, but we haven't gotten to that part. So that's, uh, motorcycle. I wanted it there to be. Like I basically, once I came back and did this whole like thing on SmackTown where it kind of like adapted this like cyberpunk kind of look like where the motorcycle vibes. Like I did like the vignette with the motorcycle and stuff. I was like, I want to come out with the motorcycle. It'll be my motorcycle. Like it's fine. Like you guys want to pay for anything. Like I wanted to just be like this.

Starting point is 00:16:56 And obviously there's been some complications there. But because apparently it's not easy to just get a motorcycle through an entrance way all the time. So I don't know. There's certain things that I was like, I want to do it like this. But as far as being from New York, I feel like that's why I talk. The way I talk. That's why I, I'll never get nervous when it comes to promos, ever. Because no matter what, I always have something to say.

Starting point is 00:17:20 I always have. And I think it's just being born in that area, you just have this, this quick tongue. Like, you just have to be like that, you know? And it's, I think it's more of like a survival thing than anything else. But yeah, like I never, that's what me and Andrade, like, whenever we were doing stuff, he'd be the more chill one in the ring and I'd be the one freaking out. And then when it came to promos, I was the more chill one and he'd be the one freaking out. So it's, yeah, I think it just, it influenced the way that I do my hair, the way I talk, the way I dress. Everything is just, you know, different parts of, of me.

Starting point is 00:17:51 And I feel like there's different people that influence that. Like, my brother definitely has, too. There's an energy in New York. And I think growing up there, I would assume you're just seeing people all the time. And that doesn't necessarily happen in other neighborhoods. You might see someone walking the dog from a distance. You waived with them. But in New York, you're on top of people.

Starting point is 00:18:10 And then you're riding the subway on top of people. And then you're oftentimes living in places where, you know, an apartment building where everybody's on top of everybody. Yeah. Or it's just my family. Like everybody in the same house. Yeah. And I think that a lot of that shapes who you are.

Starting point is 00:18:25 as a person. Yeah, I think so too. And it's funny because like when people get to talk to me and hear me say certain words, like I've tried to chill the accent out. Like I've tried to, you know, but there's certain words that I say that, you know, my husband would be like, oh, talk, really? Talk. Sauce. Really? Sauce. Bold. And I'm like, how do you say it? Bald? Like, it sounds even weirder, you know? Like, I don't know. So it depends. But yeah, there's certain words that I can't really change. But you do all kinds of accents, all kinds of voices. Me, no. But yes, the Australian accent's so good.

Starting point is 00:19:00 I know, I just noticed that you both, like, live a tight at the same time. It's kind of weird. You have, like, sat up at the same time. Giggling. Oh, no. I don't know. Because I spent too much time at Rio.

Starting point is 00:19:13 It's where that came from. It's really good. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean, there's also certain words that are easier to say with an accent. Like, she pulled out a southern accent during our. interview.

Starting point is 00:19:26 Did she? Yes. I was like, what did you just say? I don't think I've ever heard her do that. Oh, it was fantastic. I'll have to show you after. Is it more like North Carolina, southern, or is it like a Tennessee kind of southern? I don't know.

Starting point is 00:19:42 Maybe a Carolina. Okay. I don't know. I didn't grow up in the U.S. Well, I mean, like you compare like Jeff Hardy's accent, right? Oh, yeah. He is more like, I'm from Cameron, North Carolina, you know, Carrie. Can you do them all?

Starting point is 00:19:54 Can you do all the accents? What else you got? I don't know. They just kind of come in. Do you have a real southern accent? Um, well, sometimes I can be from Nashville, Tennessee, and you can talk like that. Or you can be more, like I said, from Kerry, where he's more deeper, but he talks like this. He's like, I've been in New York.

Starting point is 00:20:13 What's that building call? With the point on top? It's really cool. I like that, you know? Or sometimes it's like, you know, um, see. I don't know, bro. I'm with Morgan, brigh. You know, like she has like,

Starting point is 00:20:26 she just pull out a lip-borgan impression. I'm telling you, like, it's just, I have to listen to people talk for a while, and eventually I'll pick up little isms. Can you do an impression of your husband? He has a very distinct accent. I don't think I can't even if I did. I don't know if I could. Like, without, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:20:43 He's, yeah, I don't know. He's difficult. He just, he just did an impression at me yesterday. That was the funniest thing ever. He did? Because I didn't know that I do this, but he's like, we laughed about it. for like 10 minutes. He's like, you do this thing where you'll go like, so is thinking. It's like, it's like this weird, you're like a weird magician where you're just like this.

Starting point is 00:21:03 And I'm like, like, Dr. Strange opening up the portal. I guess. And I'm like, I don't even know that I do that. But yeah, apparently I do. You prank called Dominic Mysterio with this kid voice. Yeah. Where did that come from? I don't know. So that one, okay, not that I like to compare myself to Nikki Monaghan. this way. But also when Nikki Minaj is talking, she always sounds like she's really bored. Ever like

Starting point is 00:21:30 hear her talking like this? It's very boring. Like she talks, but like she's bored because she's the queen, so most people can never understand what she goes through. But that's how she talks. And it's a queen's thing. Like she has a certain way of talking where she's like, she sounds bored, you know?

Starting point is 00:21:47 But like little personalities will start to come out. That's how she had Roman for a while and she talked, you know, with her accent there or Roman's mother, you know, and she had an accent for that. I think like these little personalities are just in there somewhere and they just pop out at random moments. And that was one of them. So you just had this kid voice in there? Yeah. I think he was a mixture of like Chuckie from Rugrats because he has like a nasling hobby, you know, like kind of, you know, a little nasly

Starting point is 00:22:16 voice and then a little bit of like Tommy pickles mixed together. Did Dom know what was going on? I don't know what Dom knew, honestly, because even Ray was like, of course he stayed on the phone. Of course he stayed on the phone. So, yeah, I don't know. I think he was more confused than anything else, which is why he entertained it. But yeah. And the best thing was that I didn't realize it was going to go as viral as it did. And so work that next Friday or whatever Monday it was is Monday was so weird because everybody knew about it.

Starting point is 00:22:48 Like the writers knew about it. Like, TR knew about it. Like everybody thought it was hysterical. And I'm like, oh my God, I hope that they don't make this a part of my gimmick now because that would really suck because I can't really do that on call. It just happens. I don't know. Like, especially Harold.

Starting point is 00:23:02 Like, his name is Harold. He's a little. I lost it when you said his name was Harold. Who's name in their kid Harold? I know. I know. It was just, I don't know. It just came out.

Starting point is 00:23:11 But yeah, it's weird. But he, I can't. I told him. I was like, no, Zach, I really, I can't just like pull him out. Like, he, he's very specific. And you know he comes out when he wants to do. So. good. Thank you. Yeah. He's, I don't know. Yeah. But then I prank called Kofi. And it's funny because

Starting point is 00:23:28 even Kevin Olives was like, prank me next. Pank me next. And I was like, I don't know what I would do. I don't know like what to, it just happens, you know, or something like, I was on Twitch and I was telling my chat to just say stuff so that I will just read it and say it, you know. So that's like the cheese blanket pizzas and stuff. Like that's where that came from is because someone on the chat was like, oh, say this, say this. So yeah, that. And then Kofi was the old man that needed a girl. His name was Gerald. Yeah. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:23:57 But I kept changing his last name because, and I wanted to see if Kofi was going to pick up on it and he did. He was like, sarcophagus, like a tomb. Yeah. You've always been into performing. Like this is something since you were a kid, right? What was it that you wanted to be when you were a little girl? A wrestler. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:24:15 But I didn't. Like four years old. Oh, my gosh. Yeah. But that's also because my family were huge wrestling fans. Like my uncle was. a wrestler in Puerto Rico, uncle being my grandmother's brother, so my great uncle. But he, he was a wrestler in Puerto Rico. He wrestled Bruno San Martino. He did. Yeah. And you broke his nose.

Starting point is 00:24:33 So that was my last, my uncle's last match. So that's a pretty cool thing. I was like, yeah, if you're going to stop at any point, I mean, that's when I would too. But he, he was a wrestler, like all my other, like my dad, my brother, like everybody loved wrestling. My aunts, like, everybody. So they were going like make huge just bring it signs for the rock at like MSG. Like we were so, so into it. So from little I wanted to do it. Who were your early inspirations? So definitely, but so different people for different reasons.

Starting point is 00:25:05 I loved, love Lita. Like Lita was like everything to me. And I think because I also was such a tomboy and I just, I wanted to do what the guys can do. And I love red hair. So it was just like she was perfect. I feel like we see Alita. Hurricane Rana. That's where it came from.

Starting point is 00:25:22 I mean, realistically, that in the moonsaw, I only did it because of her. Yeah. Like, I was like, I want to do this

Starting point is 00:25:28 as like a little, like, dedication to her because realistically, without her and Remastero, I wouldn't, I don't know if I would be where I am.

Starting point is 00:25:35 Wow. Because they influenced me that much. So I remember seeing Ray, it was Ray and Eddie at Halloween Havoc, 97, and I was like, I'm going to do this.

Starting point is 00:25:44 What a match. That was, that was the one where I was like, he's small like me. Like, if he can do it, like, why can't die,

Starting point is 00:25:50 do this. So that's, that was the day. It was like right after that match. I'm telling my dad, I was like, yeah, I'm going to be a wrestler. Yeah. And he's like, okay, yeah, cool. Like, you know, he, he kind of supported anything. I was, I was, like, thinking of that week. But I didn't, I don't think that my family knew that it was like serious, serious. And your cousin is Amazing Red. So, like, that ties it all together here. Like, it just seems to be in your blood. It is. And I don't know. I think to, like, I loved, like, the rock, of course. Because when you look at, like, my promo. style and his promo style. It's kind of, it's comedy, but it's woody, but it's also, like, you know that he means it when he needs to. So that's kind of where I got my promo

Starting point is 00:26:31 inspiration from, as far as, like, how I cut promos and stuff. But the, that's the style of it. As far as, like, what's in it, the substance is all me. Did Red get you into training? Has Redwood got you? Oh. Well, in New York, you're not supposed to start training, so you're 18. It's like, it's law. Like, you can't, right? But I was very eager. And I was like, I want to do this like now. Like, I'm 17. Like, I want to do this now.

Starting point is 00:26:57 And he's like, legally, like, I can't. Like, we have to just wait and whatever. And then I was like, okay, yeah, fine, whatever. And then I found some, sorry, I found some, like, seminar in Long Island. And they didn't really ask for my license or anything. So I just went in and I took the seminar and he was like, so. I heard you, we're at some seminar today. I'm like, no.

Starting point is 00:27:26 What do you mean? And he was like, well, you see, I know everyone. So they kind of told me, yeah, your cousin's here. And he was like, let's not do that. Now if you're going to do it anyway and behind my back, let's just do it safely. So, yeah, that's how that started. But yeah, it was a seminar that I had found in Long Island at VPW. And, yeah, they didn't really ask me for my license.

Starting point is 00:27:47 And they were like telling, because it was. a T.J. Perkins seminar. And he was like, okay, everybody's going to start bumping and stuff like that. And the guy who's in charge of it, he's like, wait, wait, like, she hasn't even taken a first bump yet. Like, she doesn't know what she's doing. She's like, new, new. And he was like, oh, oh, okay. So, yeah, it kind of was just like a weird start, but yeah. How did Red give you Code Red? So let's just say when it comes to me being a smaller wrestler, especially as a smaller female wrestler, there's not a whole lot of moves that I can do. When it's like looking effective, I can't really lift to many people.

Starting point is 00:28:25 You know, so I was like, I need a move that I can do to anybody at any time, whatever. And I loved the code red. I loved the code red. Yeah, it was like the code red and the red eye, like the basement rana, the spike rana. Those are like the two that I really, really love that he did. And he was like, okay, you can have them both. But, you know, you don't have to do, like, he does, like, his, like, thing before he does it. It's like you don't have to do that.

Starting point is 00:28:50 But it's mine, but it is now yours. Like, we're blood. You can absolutely do it. So, yeah. And it started off as me kind of like waiting because I knew Alexa was doing it. And I was like, let me just start off with, you know, red eye and just do like that. That's why I did in an NXT to like Drew to Alistair. Who else?

Starting point is 00:29:12 Johnny. Forget who else. But yeah, that's how that started. I remember seeing amazing red hit coat red for the first. time in TNA. And I was like, what? What was that thing? Yeah.

Starting point is 00:29:23 Well, he also did it with like, he was like down up. Yeah, like a pendulum. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Not everybody can like base for that. So it's easier to just do the quick one. You can hit it on anyone now.

Starting point is 00:29:33 Yeah. Like that's what's so cool. And it just, it's just so devastating. Yeah. Well, especially the top rope one. Like when Piper took it, I was like, okay. Here we go. Like, we'll see how this goes.

Starting point is 00:29:45 But yeah, that was the first time that happened with her and I. Like, you know, she took the code red from. me for the queen of the ring, but since then, that was years and years ago. So it was kind of just like, all right, we're just going to do it and see what happened. First ever queen of the ring. That is a thing. Yeah. Yeah, that's huge.

Starting point is 00:30:05 Yeah, that's where the weird Australian-British kind of accent kind of started. So, yeah. Because Vince asked me, he was like, can you do an accent? And I was like, I can do a really bad one. And he's like, that's even better. Do that. Do that. And I'm like, all right, cool.

Starting point is 00:30:21 So, yeah, that's how it started. It wasn't necessarily, I did talk to Booker T. Like, right before I won it. And I was like, hey, are you cool with me doing an accent if I end up doing this? And he was like, yeah, like, for sure. He's like, but make sure, like you make it. Like I was talking to him and Charmel. And I was like, he's like, make sure you make it yours.

Starting point is 00:30:42 But whatever feels like natural to you. He's like, just amplify that. And, you know, so it was cool to get to talk to the. them right before it happened because for me that he's my favorite like king booker was like my favorite he he owned being king of the ring one million percent he like king booka was such a good version of him and then he had a queen of like there's there's only a handful of people who did king of the ring right yeah and he is at the top of that list one million percent yeah but like that's also why I wanted to talk to him because I was like, I don't want to copy it, obviously, but I still want to find a way to make it mine.

Starting point is 00:31:24 Like, how did you do that? So it was just kind of digging into his brain a little bit to see how I can make mine the craziness that she was. But I also know that I feel like there's something in that crown, you know? Like because anytime, and you'll, I don't know if there's the moment you see it happen. But when we did, what's that? What was that show that we did? The Bump. And we did an episode where it was like right before Queen of the Ring, like the second one.

Starting point is 00:31:58 And, you know, they let me put the crown back on or put a crown back on. And the second I did, the accent came back. And everything just kind of came right back. So I was like, shit, maybe there's something in the crown. I don't know. It looked like you were a little surprised when the Pira went off when you won Queen of the Ring. Yeah, because Delina Vagan getting pyro, hello, weird. They didn't tell you?

Starting point is 00:32:18 Didn't tell you this is going to happen? Mm-mm. No. It was literally like, go up there, put the cape on, which I did not get to do successfully, put the cape on, put the crown on, sit down, and like, you know, wave and shit. And I was like, okay, cool. All right. But it wasn't, like, I took my time with that because I just, I was like, I don't know

Starting point is 00:32:41 how long this is going to last. I don't know where we're going with it. but I'm going to, and I heard the camera, I'm like, hurry up, go, go. And I was like, no, no, mm-mm. So, yeah. And funny enough, like, there was supposed to be, like, a whole different meaner, like, crazier version of Queensland if I got to come back the way I wanted to after my surgery. Like, I had a whole thing planned out. I did, like, I filmed some stuff back home and, you know, just to kind of show them, like, where we can go with it. But then they're, like, Like, we love this, but we're going to just take it with, you know, put you with the

Starting point is 00:33:18 go that way. But I was like, shit, I really wanted to do this. Like, hopefully that there's another time where it can or even pieces of her can come out. But it was going to be a really, really evil, evil version of Queens Lena. Yeah. Going back to training, you had, you had quite a path to get to WW. Mm-hmm. Was there any point along that journey where you didn't think it was going to happen?

Starting point is 00:33:42 Yeah, I also thought, like, I don't even know if it was that I didn't think it was going to happen, but I think I was, no, I wasn't sure if it was going to happen, but I knew I wasn't willing to completely give up, even though I know I said it. It's like, one of those things that you say and you're like, all right, no, actually, I'm not. Like, you know, like, you know deep down in your heart. Like, there's just something that you, no matter how much you hate it, no matter how much, you're always going to go back to it. And I just remember when it came to, there was like a audition that I did that everything was going great with it. Like I got accepted for it. It was like we were doing the fittings. Like everything's been great.

Starting point is 00:34:21 And then they switched it last minute. Let's just say from a female villain to a male villain. So they had to go that route completely. And I was so destroyed from that. And then my tryout from DeVB that month, they also said no. And I was like, I remember just texting Duana. know, like, I think I'm done with this. Like, I can't do this anymore. Like, it's just no after no after no. So, like, I just don't see it happen. It was like eight tryouts with WWU.

Starting point is 00:34:48 Like eight, it's like every year I had a trial. And they said no until that point. So it was like, they hadn't seen me in my element, though. Like, it was like, okay, do a bunch of rolls, hit the ropes and like do all this stuff. But they didn't get to see me cutting a promo in front of the crowd, like controlling a crowd, like going and having a match in front of front of a crowd. And once they did, that's when that call came. So when did it change? When did WWE start to see you in a different light? When they saw me as AJ Lee. So fighting with my family changed your career? One million percent. And how did you get cast as AJ Lee? That was a doing thing too. That same text. He was like, don't do anything crazy. Like I've been working on

Starting point is 00:35:30 something. Give me a few days. So he was already someone that you could bounce ideas off of at this point? Or did that start? So that. That was, do you remember the, I believe it was raw when Rousseau and Lana were doing with something with him in the ring? Yes. So it was in Brooklyn. That was also one of the days that I was doing like tryout stuff. And I was talking to Kofi actually, like right outside guerrilla because they're like,

Starting point is 00:35:55 extras could be, you know, right outside guerrilla or in catering. So I was talking to Kofi because I knew the next day I was going to have a tryouts. I was like, how can I make this much different? How can I make this standout? So we're having this conversation. Duane's done doing his thing. and he comes back out and he passes me and he looks at me. And he's like looking, obviously he's looking down.

Starting point is 00:36:12 So I just, I froze at first. But like, you know, when someone like that is looking at you, like the first thing you should do is just like, hi, I'm blah, blah, blah. And so I did. And he was like, oh, is that your real name? I'm like, yeah, he's like, Theo what? And it's like, Theo turned out. And he was like, that's a really cool name, actually. My name is just Dwayne Johnson.

Starting point is 00:36:31 It's kind of boring. I'm like, yeah, no shit. I mean, yes, dear, Dwayne Johnson. Yes. This is really awkward. Like, sorry. I didn't know what to say. And he kind of just laughed.

Starting point is 00:36:45 And then he, like, kind of walked away. And then he turned back to me, and he went like this. And I was like, oh, shit. I think I'm in trouble. And then Kobe's like, just go talk to him. And I was like, I don't know what to say. What am I to say? Like, you know, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:36:56 He's like, just go there because he's going to do this for a long time. Just go. So I went over and he was like, you look like you have something important to tell me. And I was like, okay, actually, yes, I do. But I had been waiting to tell him this for God knows how long because I had seen him at other triads prior, but I never had the balls to just go up to him and say anything to him. And so very short version of what I said was just, you know, you were my dad's favorite wrestler. Like my dad passed away at 9-11, but I have all these amazing memories with him going to MSG and sharing these memories with him because of you, because he loved you so much. because we got to, you know, go to events and watch you together.

Starting point is 00:37:38 Like, I have all these amazing memories and it's because of you. So thank you. And he was like, holy shit, that's not actually what I thought you were going to say at all. And he just hug me. And it just felt like what was probably like a two second hug felt like a 20 second hug. Like it was, it felt like nobody else was in the room with us. It was just us. And he was like, thank you so much for telling me that.

Starting point is 00:37:59 And yeah, we just became friends after that. And then one day you get a text from him. that says, hey, we're making this movie about Page's life? No, it was, I mean, we kept in touch a lot. Like, you know, I would talk to him about random things. Like, even when I was in Japan, I was like, I got this thing and I got this bat and I did this move. So we talked a lot. By the way, that's pretty cool that that one interaction of rock seeing that you had something to tell him.

Starting point is 00:38:25 Yeah, and he had no idea what it was. Right. And then you tell him this beautiful story. Yeah. And that's the thing that connects you guys. It's amazing. And I'm such a big believer that, like, things happen. in life for a specific reason at a specific time.

Starting point is 00:38:37 Absolutely. And I think, too, like, it was, it became even cooler because he ended up messaging me and said, like, I, he's like, I heard what you said that your dad's name was. So I went and I looked him up and I saw, like, all these stories about him and, like, how he did love wrestling. He's like, so it made it, like, even cooler for me to see that. Wow. And I was like, holy shit.

Starting point is 00:38:58 Like, that's crazy. And I remember just having this moment. And I was like. Dad, the rock knows your name. Like, that's so cool. You know, so like, it was, it was cool for me, but it was also, like, another fulfillment, like a full circle moment almost, you know? So then, I want to say, I was this, yeah, this was after fighting with my family, but

Starting point is 00:39:22 I became friends with Simone, his daughter. And probably two years after I met her, I get a FaceTime call from her. And she's like, hey, guess where we're at? And I kind of see that he's like avoiding the camera because he looks like he's kind of like emotional. And I was like, where are you? And she flips the phone. And they're both visiting my dad at the 9-11 Memorial. And they're both by his name.

Starting point is 00:39:45 And I was like, holy shit. That is insane. Like, of course I got emotional about it. But then I also was like, dad, this is really cool. Like the Rock just went to go see you. Like, that's fucking crazy. Like that's your favorite. Like it just, I had this crazy moment of like if he was here, he'd be so freaked out.

Starting point is 00:40:03 like in the best of ways, you know? So yeah, it's just like I've had, especially when it comes to Dwayne specifically, like he has no idea how much I love him and how much I like have all these crazy connections wrestling wise to my dad because of him. So it's cool to have some piece of him no matter what, you know? I bet your dad is so proud of you. You know, and to be fair, I feel like he would have been, even if I was a, vet, you know, but I also think that he knew how stubborn I was and how dedicated and driven I could

Starting point is 00:40:42 be. So I think I think you would be. We talk about emotional moments winning the United States Championship, that moment coming out of backlash. When you brought that United States Championship to the 9-11 Memorial, what emotions did you have there? I think another, I guess, and fulfillment kind of moment, but it also, it made it kind of in some way, and I was telling my mom this, it was like, it feels even more real that he's not here. Like, it's just like another thing that shows you like, no matter what, like mentally you could freeze yourself in time. Because if I look at this from like a psychologist, if they were trying to examine my brain, and it was like, okay, I think you've frozen time at certain parts of you as a 10 year old, you know, before it happened.

Starting point is 00:41:33 So it's also why if I have anxiety, I have to listen to the Pokemon Center music. Like there's certain things that I have to do. And it's just because I loved Pokemon so much, like even now. But back then it just like centers you. Yeah. Yeah. And it's that version though. It's like Pokemon Silver like hearing the Pokemon Center music once I hear that I kind of can calm down.

Starting point is 00:41:55 And same thing with this. It's like there's certain things that will tie me to him. And like even after 9-11, right? Like I used to go with him every weekend. Like my mom would have me during the week and he would take us on the weekends. And even after it happened, I still packed my bags and got ready week after week thinking that we were just going to continue. And eventually it took me a while to realize that it wasn't happening like that. But my mom didn't really know what to do because it wasn't a normal situation and it wasn't a normal thing.

Starting point is 00:42:26 So I think with this, it was like another thing in my brain that was like, okay, you can let this part go now. Like it's, it's okay. And there's another layer of it of like, this is something that obviously affected your family, but it also affected the entire country. Yeah. Yeah. And like there's this layer of like, it's a personal thing, but it's also like bigger than that. It's like, I don't know, like this directly affected you in such a profound way.

Starting point is 00:42:58 Yeah. But I also think like that's something that people don't realize is. Like, especially now because it's been, what, 20-some years and, you know, people can just talk about it like it's nothing online or they can talk about it. Like, you know, I'll share videos or share pictures or whatever. But you never expect it. Like if I lost my dad to like a heart or cancer or something that was just my family knew about, I can deal with it in my own way. Yeah. But because it happened on such a global scale, I have to deal with it and not know when I have to deal with it.

Starting point is 00:43:36 Randomly, I'll see it on the news. Randomly, I'll see it in a movie. Like, there's been times where Tommy and I will go and see a movie and all of a sudden they'll be playing that. You know, like, part of the movie was watching that happen. And he'll be like, oh, shit, it's okay, we got to go. We got to do something. But I'm like, it's okay. Like, I have my own ways of dealing with it.

Starting point is 00:43:55 But, you know, it's even on Twitter. You know, you'll see it randomly. And, like, they'll just be playing certain things that I'll just become a 10-year-old again. And I remember watching it because I was home watching it happen. So you kind of get in that mindset again of, like, reliving that moment and, like, reopening that wound every time. And you don't know when it's going to happen. I think that's the shit part of it. So this friendship with The Rock, how does that turn into, I've got this role for you?

Starting point is 00:44:26 So he knew. for a while that I wanted to do acting because I was doing acting before I started wrestling because I thought that's what you had to do. You know, like, I loved the, like, any kind of backstage or vignettes or in ring promos, I loved that. And he was like the godfather of it. So he knew that I wanted to do acting also. And I remember one time he was like, you sure you want to do wrestling?

Starting point is 00:44:52 Because I just feel like acting is like right there for you. Like it's just you have, it's the look. I've seen what you can do. Like I showed him reels and stuff. So he's like, you sure? And I'm like, I'm 100% sure. Like wrestling first and foremost, but I'd love to do acting at some point, too. And he was like, okay.

Starting point is 00:45:08 And then eventually he's like, I have the perfect to blend, like the blending of the world's for you right now. And I was like, okay. And mind you, so this came after I had already said, like, I don't want to do anything entertainment business anymore. Like I'm fucking over it, blah, blah, blah. He's like, give me a few days. So he calls me and he's like, yeah, I got this thing.

Starting point is 00:45:27 And the funny thing is, I don't remember. exactly how the conversation went because I remember like feeling like a sinking feeling the more he talks to it. I was like, oh my God, I feel like something big is coming and I don't know what it is yet. And then he's like, so we're doing this movie. It's a documentary that they had on Page's life and her family and basically we're doing the movie, but we're continuing it and kind of, you know, replaying this whole thing out with Paige and A.J. Lee and how she won the championship and whatever, because I was the one who told her about it that day. And I need you to be my deepest champion.

Starting point is 00:46:02 And I was like, what? Like, he's like, this is usually where people are like super happy and say, thank you so much. And I'm like, wait, out of way, I didn't even hear what you're saying, right, like correctly. Can you repeat what you just said? Because it sounds like you offered me a role just now, but I'm not 100%. That's what you said. And he's like, yes. He's like, you know, you don't even have the audition for it.

Starting point is 00:46:24 I already know that you can do it. Like, you're going to be my devious champion. And I was like, holy shit. So, yeah. And then I remember just studying AJ's voice to exhaustion because I was like, I know I can't wear like the outfit that she obviously was iconic for. Why was that? Because this wasn't like a movie for wrestling. It wasn't just, or at least it wasn't just a movie for wrestling fans.

Starting point is 00:46:46 Like they wanted it to be a movie that everybody can understand because like you can't really explain to, I don't know, you know, Bob at the bank, like that he. He knows, like, this is the good guy, this is the bad guy, because they both look kind of alternative and kind of similar. So it's like, wait, but who's who then? You know, for them they were just like, this one looks bad. She has the championship. She's mean. This one looks this way. And she's nice.

Starting point is 00:47:11 And she's blah, blah, blah. So they wanted to have like a distinct different look. But you still get the idea of who I am from the skipping, from the voice. But people thought I was doing a voiceover. I wasn't. Do you still know the promo? 295. For 295 days, I have been your divas champion.

Starting point is 00:47:33 Like, yeah. And that's good. Like, it's the way that she moves her face and the way that she, like, she kind of dips into, like, a deeper tone sometimes. And, like, I had to study how she did that and how she moved like this and, you know, this little things. So how did that movie open up WWE's eyes to what you were capable of? Well, that was funny because I knew that when I saw everybody in Gorilla and I saw like, you know, Triple H there, I saw Stephanie there, Xbox was there. And he told me afterwards, he was like, you know, when you were doing the promo, like, everybody in Grillo was like, oh, wow, she's really good. And so I went to Stephanie and I was like, she's really good, right?

Starting point is 00:48:13 And she was like, yeah. And he's like, you guys should hire her. Like he was always like an advocate for me. Like he was really, really cool. And they're like, yeah, okay. Like, you know, but he's like, I thought it was so cool that they all were silent in guerrilla, just watching you. You know, and it just, it became that. Like, I got a call from William Regal.

Starting point is 00:48:31 No, yeah, I got another call from William Regal after the movie had already wrapped. And he was like, mind you, this was the second call because the first one happened right before Dwayne called me. And he was like, hey, do you speak Spanish? And right as I was about to answer, he was like, actually, I don't think it matters. They'll call you back. And he hung up. So I didn't even get to say anything. And I was like, okay, all right, cool.

Starting point is 00:48:57 And then afterwards he was like, okay, we have this idea. Would you come to the Performance Center and just like cut this promo with Andrade? He's one of our blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I was like, oh, I know who he is. And they're like, okay, great. So just pretend that you've known him since, you know, Jump Street and, you know, like, just put him over and to talk about this, this is this. So I got maybe like half of what they were talking about.

Starting point is 00:49:20 And I was like, okay, cool. So I just walked in a promo class and just sat down with him and just was a complete jerk. I guess it's like the nicer word for what I was going to say, like a total bitch. But like in a good way, like putting him over and just whatever. And they're like, okay, we like this. Okay. And then I did one in the ring, I think against Drew. And then Hunter was like, oh, yeah, this is going to work.

Starting point is 00:49:43 And then that's just, you know. But if the dreams to be a wrestler and they're telling you to be a manager, is there a part of it where you're like, but I can do more. Yeah. Oh, yeah. But I knew that that was going to come. Like I had some weird feeling that it was going to come regardless. And it just, I knew that what Hunter wanted from me was, he's like, I know you want to be a wrestler.

Starting point is 00:50:04 He's like, but right now I need you to help me raise his stock. Like, this is what we're trying to do right now. Like, this is your way in. What happens from here on out is up to you. So I was like, okay, challenge accepted. And the ability to cut promos week in and week out. I mean, that's not something that everybody gets to do. That's something I'm trying to do now.

Starting point is 00:50:24 Something that I'm hoping I get to do again. Where is Delina's promos? Yeah. Like, it's, well, at least, like, now, let's just say it's built up so much to the point where if I talk to anybody, their ancestors are going to feel it. Like, that is how, like, that is how, like, ready I am to get out any kind of, like, frustrations. And it doesn't even matter who it is.

Starting point is 00:50:47 Like, I have a promo on my head for literally. everybody. It just, it's, it's one of those things where I'm like, bite your tongue, bite your tongue, because, like, you don't want to get in trouble again, but yeah. What's your favorite promo you've cut so far? Ooh, that's a good question. I don't know. Ooh, the one against Liv. Oh, that was so good. The one against Live, Liv, Liv and Dom. That one was really funny. D. D. Sloppy seconds. Yeah, guess what? None of that was planned. Wow. None of it.

Starting point is 00:51:20 Like, I knew the gist of it. And what's cool is, like, Hunter knew. Like, he was like, I dealt with you in NXT. Here's a skeleton. Go do your thing. And I was like, okay, cool. So it was like, like, he knew, like, okay, cuffs are off, but, like, she knows where the line is. You walked right up to that line.

Starting point is 00:51:40 I was like, you know, mess with it a little bit. But I also didn't realize that the dirty deep part was going to come out of the way. came out. It came out kind of bad. And that's why I quickly tried to like, once I heard the crowd going, oh, I was like, and we know what else. And this other thing. Yeah. Yeah. That's literally how I was. I was like, oh shit. You just made a whole dick joke on TV. Like, that's really bad. Like, and not even a normal dick joke is a dirty dick joke like you need to chill. Like, you know, it was one of those. I found an old version of your website. What website? What website? site. Which one? The Theatianidab one? Yes. Oh, Lord. There's some fun facts about you on there.

Starting point is 00:52:22 Oh, God. It depends. Some of that was real. Some of it was. Your whole bio is very interesting. Oh, God. I know you were, you were a Zumba instructor. Yeah. You still got some Zumba moves. Maybe. I don't know. It's, you know what? It's been forever. But I feel like some of that just is still in there. Like, I still love belly dancing. That's probably more than anything else. I still really love. There's videos online of you, Zumba dancing, like leading Zumba classes. Is there? And look, they're in this clip right now. Oh, no. I delete it.

Starting point is 00:52:56 I don't remember, but I kind of remember a little bit, maybe. I don't know. You had a whole section of, like, fun facts. So there was like your favorite number, is it still 27? Yeah. Okay. Why 27? It's my birthday number.

Starting point is 00:53:08 Love that. December 27th. You had a dog named Cody. I did, yes. And I had another one named Kovu. So that's funny that you, I didn't realize where that. I was like, where did that? that website stop updating.

Starting point is 00:53:19 When would that have been? 2011-ish, I think maybe this was. Yeah. And then I got COVID-2014, maybe. Yeah. Favorite color is red. Still. That makes sense.

Starting point is 00:53:35 It was just so interesting seeing like that slice of your life. It's almost like I felt like I had opened up a time capsule. You know what? That's probably the best way to describe that. Yeah. Because it was describing a lot of like the stuff you had done in impact. And it was, you had just done a fitness competition, I think, recently. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:53:53 That was a thing. I think I placed like 10 out of 30 something. That's exactly what I said. Yeah. There's 10th out of 38, I think. Something like that, yeah. But it was just, I could tell through reading that, though, that you were hungry for more. Oh, my God.

Starting point is 00:54:09 I was so, like, I was starving. Like, it was one of those things. Like, I was so, I needed something else. I just, and I just, and I, I wish I knew about Twitch back then. Like, I wish Twitch was a thing back then because I would have probably one of the biggest ones by now. That's been a huge outlet for you.

Starting point is 00:54:27 I think I'm going back to it now, but like there was a time where I kind of just needed to take off from everything. And it included that just because, like, I needed a break. Seems like you're like hungry for more now, too. Like, isn't that a rock quote? It's like, stay hungry. Like, yeah, yeah. Always hungry, never satisfied or whatever.

Starting point is 00:54:47 Always be the hardest worker in the room, even if you're the only person in that room. But yeah, it's funny because, like, I do still, like, there's so many times where I've had to, like, hear his voice in my head going, like, fine, I'll get up or fine, I'll do this or, like, whatever. Because I'm like, I know he's an alien, but, you know, because there's no way a person can operate on, like, two to four hours of sleep like that. Look the way he does. Work as hard as he does. Be as good as he is. I'm like, where did they make you? In what laboratory?

Starting point is 00:55:16 because I need to know. Yeah. You know, so. And it's just that, like, he, his discipline is on another level. That's what it comes down to. But for you guys to do this at the level that you're doing it at, your discipline has to be dialed in. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:55:30 But I think there's, it's like, there's discipline. And then there's, like, his discipline. And it's like, hmm. But, yeah. And it's still, to this day, just like another form of, like, inspiration to me. Because no matter what, I'm like, okay, he's juggling all of this. And he's a dad. And he's a dad.

Starting point is 00:55:46 He's still doing wrestling and he's still acting at the highest level. Like, you know, it's cool to have like a cheat cheat almost. Yeah. The great thing about acting is you can do this until you're 120. That is also true, especially if it's for voice acting. So that's also another piece of it. But I mean, like, even just from doing, you know, street fighter, like, if I look at, like, I think Tommy Dreamer was the one to kind of lay it out to me recently.

Starting point is 00:56:11 He was like from, you know, first ever queen of the ring to 10. tag champion to, you know, United States champion, to getting to announce that you were in a video game, um, cosplaying as the character, announcing it at the World Rumble, like, no one's ever done

Starting point is 00:56:28 in that before. Um, to just like all those, like, even like I said, voice acting and street fighter, like, that's a freaking goal since I was a kid, but I didn't think it was going to happen. Like, I didn't know for sure. So for me, it's, it's nice that the things that I used to get bullied for as a kid is the stuff that's like really cool to people now.

Starting point is 00:56:45 All of us. But yeah, it's cool that I get to like live out that dream, but also take the eight to 10 year old me along with me. So I think I think that's really cool. And I'm such a big like advocate for people who like whether it's gaming or anime, just things that you would, you know, get looked down on when you're younger. And now it's like something that you get to proudly, you know, represent. And like I love that I can do that. Like, you know, you think anime, you think me. You know, or like the new day, you know.

Starting point is 00:57:18 And what's cool is now is like a lot of people getting more comfortable with it too. Like Rio was Vegeta, you know, for WrestleMania. And Jade just did a really dope storm, you know, cosplay. Well, technically it wasn't a cosplay, but, you know, whatever. She looked like storm, you know. So it's like it's so cool to see different people embracing that like nerd part of themselves. Yeah, and it's cool that like it's, you don't have to be ashamed about it. At least not anymore.

Starting point is 00:57:43 You're not going to get shoved in lockers anymore like I did. So there's that. I've done loggers for liking anime. Yeah, especially like, because we had bigger, kind of like wider lockers too. And I had like the Hardy Boys on there and like, you know, Ray Mysterio. And I had all like my wrestlers along with like all of my favorite Pokemon on the side. And yeah, people would like bully me for that. So there's that.

Starting point is 00:58:06 But it's cool. Like if you like anime and like authentically like it, not just liking it for the sake of it's cool now. I love that for you. I love that you can put it out there in a way that people can embrace it now. But also, like, it's kind of satisfying because even when, you know, you see people that you went to school with that were, you know, assholes to you. And then now they're like, oh, my God, like, we knew you could do it. It's so amazing. Like, you're so amazing.

Starting point is 00:58:39 Like, everyone knows what that feels like on some level. It's that over and over again. So it's like a cool little like new phone who it is kind of feeling, you know? So yeah. New phone who is. But you know what I'm talking about. Like it's, yeah. It's also the idea of you're proving yourself right.

Starting point is 00:58:55 As much as you're proving the haters wrong or the naysayers wrong, you're proving to yourself that you could do this thing all along that you knew you could. Yeah. Actually, my, the girl who does my hair, I name is Kendra. She's like one of my close friends. And she said to me, she's like, I love your name. And I'm like, it's funny because I hated my name growing up because it. It wasn't like a normal name.

Starting point is 00:59:15 I wanted my name to be like Michelle or something. You know, she's like, yeah, but I hate that people create an environment where like different was looked at as a bad thing. She's like because now look, amongst the Michelle's and the Jessica's and all that, thea is the one that stood out. And now Thea is who's going and doing all these amazing things. And then you look back on Facebook and Michelle's got like four kids and hates, you know, her husband. And you know what I mean? Like that kind of thing. Or Michelle.

Starting point is 00:59:43 so sorry. Like, you know. She picked in high school. She picked in high school. That's it. And, you know, I was just, I mean, I'm still the same. Right. But like, you know, it's, uh, it's just funny because I definitely didn't peak in high

Starting point is 00:59:55 school. Like, I was such a weird, nerdy. Like, I got along with people, but I didn't have like, I was the consolation prize friend. I was friends see that if A and B were busy, they'd go to C. So it's nice to just go like, you know, fuck you. And not anymore. No, because now my friends are my husband.

Starting point is 01:00:17 All those people now are saying, that girl on TV, yeah, we were really good friends in high school. Like, yeah, I choke your, like, but no. But I'm one of those people that I'm okay with, like, I hate to say, like, I don't say being aggressive, but I'm one of those people that I'm okay with just letting people know. Like, I have no problem telling you about yourself. Like, I have no problem. Like, if I ran into somebody that I went to school with and they try to pull that shit, I easy to be like, um, no, actually your mom was a th-h-h-so what happened was, um, you know? Why don't have to bleep that part out?

Starting point is 01:00:55 But, yeah, I don't know. Like, I have no problem with that. Like, I will definitely tell you about yourself. Like, I don't put on for anybody. And I think that's also, like, I had a conversation with Paul Heyman about that. And he's like, it's the New Yorker in us. It just, it, you can't be fake. Like, that's why I say, like, I don't have a whole lot of friends because I have, like,

Starting point is 01:01:14 bootlegs from Jamaica Ave, like, so much realer than all these bitches because I just, I can't. Is it also compensating for the fact that people may look at you at your height and think a certain thing about you? And you have to, like, be like, no, actually, here's who I am. Here's my seven. Sorry. Here's my very tall boots.

Starting point is 01:01:35 I have eight-inch boots. Boots. To check them out. Like, you know. I always call it's my New York flop. You had the Hardy Boys in your locker in high school. And then didn't you train with them too? What a full circle moment that is.

Starting point is 01:01:58 Dude, I have so many weird circle moments that you would not expect. Like, even Trish. Like, I loved to hate Trish growing up. I was so nervous when I first met her. Like, she is, God bless her. She's a sweetheart. I literally, the first thing I said to her, was like, oh, my God, I hated you growing up. And she was like, oh, thank you so much.

Starting point is 01:02:16 And I'm like, what interaction is this? Like, what is happening? But I was, like, so nervous to meet her. My hair was, like, you know, on my shoulders. And I was sweating profusely trying to talk to her. I was like, yeah, it's like, you're so cool. Is it hot in here? Like, is it just me?

Starting point is 01:02:32 And she's like, I mean, it's fine. But, like, you know, like, when I wear my hair on my shoulders, too, like, it's almost like a scarf. Like, I understand. I'm like, yeah, that. she's fucking lying but like she's being nice right now like I appreciate that you know so like she was always so cool to me but like it's it's funny because um there's certain things and certain i was called the trish face but like there's certain ways that if i hold my face a certain way and smile a certain way people have said they're and i look alike and when you have i had i could see that yeah

Starting point is 01:03:03 yeah i'll show you a picture but like we took a picture together when i was have like a blondeish brownish hair like she did, and we had the side of our face at the same time, and we took the smile picture. It was like the Trish pose, I call it. And it's a little strange. It's crazy how we do kind of look like. And I remember Dreamer really always said, like, yeah, you're like a darker version of her, just like a lot smaller. But, yeah. Man, that's wild.

Starting point is 01:03:29 I know I have it. It's in here somewhere. It's amazing that when you're in that world, these full circle moments are possible. I mean, the rock, hearty boys, Trish. I'm sure there's a dozen others. Lita, that was a thing too. But yeah, I had the, like, biggest crush on Jeff Hardy when I was younger. It was really strange.

Starting point is 01:03:46 I mean, come on. He's Jeff Hardy. But to the point where, like, I hated Trish because she kissed him. Like, it was, like, one of those. Like, I was really, it was bad. So, yeah, it was really. And he's just the most charming, kindest man you could ever meet. Yes, he really is.

Starting point is 01:04:05 And he's just so gifted. And then his wife is freaking gorgeous. And they had these gorgeous kids. they're so cool and I'm just like, man, here. Oh, man. Yes. Wow. Is this out in the world?

Starting point is 01:04:18 Mm-hmm. Wow. This is at like a, well, not in the world, but it's like at a signing and like the order. No, like, have you posted this? Yeah. I think I have. I think I have.

Starting point is 01:04:29 Yeah. Wow. Yeah, we call it the 20. And that's like our thing. Yeah. So, but that's, that's my little tritian. But then I also have this really funny picture that I, I know it's out there, but it cringes me out that it's out there.

Starting point is 01:04:43 It's this picture of Jeff and I when I first met him when I was 15. And I had braces, so I didn't smile on the picture. But, yeah, like this is, you talk about full circle moments. Like, this, like, braces, like, you know, young me turning into, oh, here it is. Ew. Okay. Ew. Ew. That's you?

Starting point is 01:05:07 Uh-huh. Wow. What? You put some makeup on, you put a wig on, and a completely different person. That's crazy. And Jeff looks identical. He does, yeah. Wow.

Starting point is 01:05:18 I know. It's really strange. I remember, like, meeting him and Matt at the mall at, like, I think it was like, I don't even know. I remember what mall it was, but it was on Long Island. Is this the same day? Mm-hmm. Oh, my gosh.

Starting point is 01:05:29 How long did you have to line up to see them? I went online twice. Yeah. Yeah. You met them twice? Yeah. I remember because Matt was like, oh, you're back. And I was like, I didn't take the picture last time, so I'm just going to do it now.

Starting point is 01:05:43 Because I thought an autograph would be enough, like, with the first time I was on the line. And I was like, it's not enough. I just went back. And he's like, oh, hi. So, yeah. And then we took that picture. And then I just so happened to find out that, like, years later, we had a mutual friend. And he was like, I know you're, like, going to school for, like, you know, edit.

Starting point is 01:06:04 Because I love, like, computer editing and stuff like that. And he was like, I'm working on this project. Like, do you want to help me? out with it. And I was like, yeah, like, what is it? And he's like, it's called The Hardy Show. And I was like, I was like, sorry, what? It's called What? And he's like, it's called The Hardy Show. These two wrestlers. I said, I know what I didn't know what it is. How did you, and you've never told me about this? And then that's how that kind of happened. Man. How did the Eddie Guerrero tribute get worked into your matches? The, oh, the shimmy? Yeah. So initially, this was more of a

Starting point is 01:06:37 Ray idea than it was mine. Like, he was like, well, if we're really going to pack, because it was just for backlash initially. It was just, you know, oh, can you do the frog splash? And I was like, I've never actually physically tried it. And I'm afraid it's going to look more like a tadpole splash than a frog splash. So I don't know if I should do it. And he was like, okay, well, you do the meteor anyway.

Starting point is 01:06:59 So he's like, well, if you do it, maybe you should just do like the Eddie Schimmy. Everyone's going to know what it is. And I was like, okay. You know, and then after a while, it just became something I did. because it was just, it felt natural to just do that. But yeah, it wasn't necessarily an idea of mine. It came from Ray. I mean, the thing is when anybody does it, we immediately think of Eddie.

Starting point is 01:07:18 One million percent. And I love that every single time. Like, it's like a cool way to, you know, and some people are like, you know, oh, my God. Like, you know, Zalina, all she does is like pull all these wrestlers and that she liked in the past, like into her shit now. Yeah, okay. And like, so what? Like, who cares?

Starting point is 01:07:33 Like, can you do that? No. You're awesome. Thank you for finally making this house. happen. Yeah, I'm so glad that we were actually like able to make it happen after however long. Yeah, we've been talking about this for months. Yeah. So we made it happen here in Nashville. Thank you. And as we wrap this up, I want to make sure that you're not late. I'm going to technically we're not. I'm good for another like seven minutes. Okay. Well, maybe you're grateful for a lot of

Starting point is 01:07:57 things. But what are what are three things that you're grateful for right now? I know it definitely goes beyond three, but. we got seven minutes I'll say my family and that just my husband first and foremost and like my mom, my grandmother, my brother my stepdad, like there's

Starting point is 01:08:22 all of my family, aunts, uncles, everyone. I feel like if I don't say every single person, cousins, they're all going to come from me. But yeah, my family, I love them so fiercely and like I would not be who I am where I am without them. My cats which falls into my family because my cats, I have 10 cats.

Starting point is 01:08:40 I don't know if my husband told you that. No, 10? We have 10. Do you know all their names? Mm-hmm. Toddy potato, tubby tomato, Phoebe, Peaches, Perrywell, pickles, petunia, pumpkin, willow walnut, Betty weeny beet, blue berry. The syrup twins are waffles and pancake, and then we have noodles.

Starting point is 01:09:03 And most of them have last names? Most of them do, yeah. Yeah. Imagine me going to the vet and saying, like, this was a situation. They were like, what's the cat's name? And I was like, tubby. And she's like, last name. Sorry, that's my stomach growling. She's like, last name.

Starting point is 01:09:17 And she's like, tomato. And she's like, your last name is tomato. And I was like, bitch, no, his last name is tomato. Put it on the damn thing. And she was like, the cat has the last name. I was like, bitch, why are you asking questions? Just put it on a motherfuckeraggot. Yes.

Starting point is 01:09:28 He does. Like, put it on the thing. So, yes, my cat. My job, obviously, because that's. I feel like that was my whole purpose in life. Like I genuinely felt like from the second that I was entering the world, I was meant to be a WB superstar. You're doing it.

Starting point is 01:09:48 It just that was what I wanted since I was a kid. So definitely my job. Dare I say you were meant to be a world champion. I listen, that is something I absolutely still want. I absolutely still want that. And I've thought of so many different ways that it could happen, whether that's a baby face or heel or whatever it is. But I will say this.

Starting point is 01:10:09 I think genuinely, people might be a little afraid. You ever notice that I'm the one who's the promo and yet I haven't been able to cut promos? Why do you think that is? I am the sunlight that is going to dry out all those industry plants. That is genuinely how I feel. Why? Because even if you look at NXT the other day, you had Jada talking, at Lash talking, Jacey, who's not even in the match talking.

Starting point is 01:10:34 Natty, Maxine. But then you had Zelina, who is the one who would literally decimate every single person on the roster down to an ant size. Like, that's the person that you don't give a microphone to. This is going to be so interesting. That's where my brain's at now. And it's kind of like, okay. Now cups are off. Okay.

Starting point is 01:10:59 And whether it's on TV because they actually let me or it's on social or it's just deciding it to just wreck shit because I can. can. We'll see what happens. And what a way to end it. It's like a nice cliffhanger here. What's what's going to happen next? Dun, dun, done. Yeah, to be continued. Yeah. Well, thank you again. Thank you. All right, my friend. Thank you so much for checking out this episode with Zelina Vega and a big thank you to her for joining us in Nashville when we recorded this. Snap a screenshot. Let us know what stood out for you the most from this one. Maybe it's the AJ Lee impression. I still can't believe that was Zelina's voice and not actually AJ Lee.

Starting point is 01:11:44 Tag us, she's at Zelina Vega, WWE. I'm at Chris Van Fleet, and we'll end this with a quote from the legendary coach, Lou Holtz. Winners embrace hard work. They love the discipline of it, the trade off they're making to win. Losers, on the other hand, see it as a punishment. And that is the difference.

Starting point is 01:12:06 Be great and be grateful, my friends. We will see you on the next one for some more insight. We've got Ask CVV number 94 tomorrow. There's so much to cover. SummerSlam predictions, and we dig into how we really feel about WW Unreal on Netflix. If you've got a question, leave a comment on Spotify or send it on social media using that hashtag Ask CVV or shoot me an email. CVV at chris fanfleet.com.

Starting point is 01:12:36 We'll see it tomorrow to wrap up the week with AskSk CVV. 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 Alley. 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 them? To Rock Bottom. Dude, I was born in 1987. I can't believe he's doing this. Hammer Alley. Follow and listen on your favorite platform.

Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Zelina Vega: Winning The US Title, Backlash In Puerto Rico, Playing AJ Lee In "Fighting With My Family"

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