1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Battleground Podcast. 2 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:11,640 Speaker 2: You'll play for all things pro wrestling. 3 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:17,040 Speaker 1: And exclusive interviews with some of your favorite wrestlers around podcast. 4 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:25,759 Speaker 3: Stop doing what's up you guys? Welcome back into iHeartRadio 5 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 3: is official wrestling podcast, The Battleground Podcast. And as you 6 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 3: know this Sunday it is a big time for aew 7 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 3: live in London. It is ae W New Japan Pro 8 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:40,239 Speaker 3: Wrestling for Bidendoor and on the show today with us 9 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:43,919 Speaker 3: somebody who I think we would all agree could actually 10 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 3: should be the main event for Forbidden Door. 11 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 1: The longest raining r. 12 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:53,800 Speaker 3: O H Women's World Champion, Athena joins the show. 13 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:57,240 Speaker 1: You forgot forever? Excuse me, let me go back. 14 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 3: The longest raining forever Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Women's Champion, 15 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 3: Athena joins the show. 16 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 1: I'm here, Hi, hello mann. 17 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,319 Speaker 2: Oh man, there's a clarification on that. You are currently 18 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 2: the longest reigning world champion in the world right now. 19 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:20,479 Speaker 1: Oh so, okay, also the longest reigning champion in Ring 20 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,560 Speaker 1: of Honor history. I mean we could just as we go. 21 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 2: I mean to give you an idea. Okata has had 22 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,560 Speaker 2: his title for five hundred days, so he's literally at 23 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 2: almost half of what you've done, and it feels like 24 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 2: he's had his belt forever too well, he. 25 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: Needs to just get better. He's not on my level. 26 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,080 Speaker 2: That half is good evidently. Yeah, so I want to 27 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:40,679 Speaker 2: talk about it. 28 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 3: This incredible historic title reign that you're on. Did you 29 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 3: ever think that you're going to have this kind of 30 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 3: run in ROH when you first came in or has 31 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 3: this just all built up one match at a time. 32 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: I think it's something that was really a surprise to me, 33 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 1: to be honest with you, Like I think, outwardly egotistical 34 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: as I am, like behind the scenes, I'm very self 35 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 1: conscious and probably a lot of low self esteem when 36 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:09,360 Speaker 1: it comes to stuff like that. So never in a 37 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 1: million years that I see myself in a position like this. 38 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 1: But like, honestly, since I tore my achilles and I 39 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: came back from that, I just treat every match like 40 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 1: it's my last match, because like I remember thinking, Wow, 41 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:24,079 Speaker 1: my last match is going to be like I don't 42 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: want to say what it was, but like I was 43 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 1: like my last match when I right before I tore 44 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:30,839 Speaker 1: my achilles, I wasn't extremely happy with and I was like, man, 45 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 1: I would hate if that's the way that I go out. 46 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: I would hate like just looking back and being like 47 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 1: that was my last match. Okay, it's not exactly what 48 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: I wanted. It was a great match, it was a 49 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:42,799 Speaker 1: fun opponent, but it just wasn't what I wanted. And 50 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:44,639 Speaker 1: so every time I go into the ring, whether it 51 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:46,959 Speaker 1: be a tag match, a singles match, me trying to 52 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 1: deal with Williams like it's one of those things. I 53 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:52,519 Speaker 1: have to treat every match like it's my last match 54 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: because I never know, and I don't want to go 55 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:58,920 Speaker 1: out in my career just thinking what if I would 56 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 1: have done this, what if I would have done that? 57 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 1: You know. So definitely I think that reflects with my 58 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 1: ROH title ring, is that every match I do like 59 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 1: it could be my last match. It could be my 60 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: last match of champion. But I'm not going to go 61 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: and put my bottom foot forward. I don't even know 62 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,520 Speaker 1: the analogy, I right, right right, you know. So I 63 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: just want to make sure that whatever I do, I 64 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: put all of my heart and soul into it, so 65 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 1: I'm happy with it despite what the finish might be. 66 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:26,080 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, like we like we mentioned, you know, congrats 67 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 2: on becoming You're currently the longest reigning world champion female 68 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:32,079 Speaker 2: or a male in the world right now, over nine 69 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 2: hundred and fifty days with your title, forever champion, you know, 70 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 2: kind of bouncing off the first question, I mean, how 71 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 2: does it feel to kind of be the face of 72 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 2: Ring of Honor and you know, pushing forward that legacy 73 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 2: but also standing tall as a dominant force across women's 74 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 2: wrestling internationally. 75 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: It's it's pretty pretty sick, it's pretty od. Yeah, it 76 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 1: is never in a million years that I expect this. 77 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 1: Like when I first start wrestling, like two thousand and six, 78 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 1: two thousand and seven, I remember like Ring of Honor 79 00:03:57,600 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: was the place to be. We had Sarah del Ray, 80 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: we had Das Hayes that would occasionally make an appearance 81 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 1: there at Alis in Danger, Lacey Mischief, like so many 82 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: countless others, And I was like, yo, I gotta work 83 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: for ar which I gotta get an opportunity there. And 84 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 1: I ended up doing a tryout match when they were 85 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: in Texas, and I ended up getting a spot on 86 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:18,039 Speaker 1: the roster when they had their women's storylines and stuff 87 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 1: like that. So like it meant a lot to me 88 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,239 Speaker 1: back then because I genuinely worked hard to get that position, 89 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:25,360 Speaker 1: and now with Tony Kahn bringing back Ring of Honor, 90 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: and like, I just have to like it meant so 91 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: much to me to have that opportunity to earn that position, 92 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: like I have to do the same. I have to 93 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 1: treat it with respect because so many people came before 94 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,479 Speaker 1: me that like this was their life. Ring of Honor 95 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: was their passion. And so no matter where I am, 96 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:44,839 Speaker 1: I rep my brand, I rep ring them honor very proudly. 97 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 1: So I just can't do anything less than my best. 98 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,119 Speaker 3: Yeah, right, And you know, when you think of best, 99 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 3: there's also another women's champion in there that seems like 100 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 3: she's being a bell collector. I didn't say the greatest. 101 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:01,719 Speaker 3: I just said the best. We know who the greatest 102 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 3: champion is. 103 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: I don't like this. 104 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 3: Here's the thing, though, is it seems like you and 105 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 3: Mercedes have kind of been vibing, right. Fans are starting 106 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 3: to pick up on it. You're out there on social 107 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 3: media doing tiktoks and whatnot. Tony's also said that there's 108 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:23,919 Speaker 3: a women's tag team titles that already made. Throwing this 109 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 3: out there, you know where we're going? Is this something 110 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,760 Speaker 3: you'd be into? You and Mercedes? You know, going after 111 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 3: the aw women's tag title after you beat Tony this Sunday, 112 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 3: you know. 113 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 1: Just saying, Look, I've never been super into about collectors 114 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,159 Speaker 1: because I don't like that tsa pre check. Is you 115 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 1: trying to get through security? And I can only imagine 116 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 1: her life is a nightmare right now, which I would 117 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 1: love to film and record. I would love to I 118 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: just if I see her one day, I'm just gonna 119 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: film it as they take it all out, just to 120 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 1: show you. I'm like, this is why. But honestly is 121 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 1: a strong word. I think keep your enemies close, uh 122 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: is kind of the method the enemy of the of 123 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:09,160 Speaker 1: my enemy is my friend type vibe. But honestly, she's 124 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:10,600 Speaker 1: one of the best in the world. I am the 125 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:13,719 Speaker 1: best in the world. But it's really cool to have 126 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 1: us all in a match. I think, like when we 127 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:17,599 Speaker 1: had Dynamite, that was the first time all three of 128 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: the champions were in the same match at the same time. 129 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: So that was a cool moment. But like, Mercedes has 130 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: to up her game a little bit. She can't be 131 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:28,840 Speaker 1: distracted with this timeless haussy. I'm sorry, I don't know 132 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 1: what she has going on in her head when it 133 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,359 Speaker 1: comes to Tony Storm. Hopefully when I beat Tony Storm, 134 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 1: that will be the end of this nonsense. And you 135 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: know what, maybe if she wants to join MIT go 136 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 1: through the proper Minion training, we can maybe do something 137 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: with that. You know, we could use a mini and CEO. 138 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: I think I think that that's possible. But you know what, 139 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:51,600 Speaker 1: we're two of the best women in the world. Like 140 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 1: I all all jokes and fun aside, it's been interesting 141 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,160 Speaker 1: very much so unforeseen because I rather beat her for 142 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: the TVs Championship than TAG. But like, also if the 143 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 1: opportunity presents itself, I know we're both, like you know, 144 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: very competitive, We're both very aggressive when it comes to 145 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 1: being the best in the world. Why not, Yeah, that's 146 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: why not? 147 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 2: Great answer, great answer. Yes, So you know your revolution 148 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,760 Speaker 2: has been great to watch from the Indies and then 149 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:26,880 Speaker 2: to ember Moon to back Tothena. Now, what would you 150 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 2: say if you could go back and talk to Ember Moon, 151 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 2: like maybe when we had to say goodbye to that character, 152 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 2: what would you tell her with what's going on now? 153 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 1: I don't know, because like I feel like a lot 154 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 1: of where I am now is because of Imbermoon. I 155 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: don't regret anything I wish I was a little how 156 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 1: to put a little bit more selfish for myself in 157 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: that moment, But I prided myself on always being a 158 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: team player, always trying to be for the match versus 159 00:07:57,400 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: for myself. I think that's the only thing I would 160 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 1: change is I would be a little bit more selfish. 161 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: But at the same time, I wouldn't be the forever 162 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 1: Oh Champion without Imbermoon in that journey that I had there, 163 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be comfortable with being who I am and 164 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,600 Speaker 1: presenting that on a TV platter, if you will, if 165 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: it wasn't for Inmbermon and me trying to hide behind 166 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 1: a mass. You know, I love that character. I put 167 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 1: a lot of heart and soul into the creative for 168 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 1: that character. So like I will, I'll never say never 169 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 1: when it comes to Imber Moon as far as taking 170 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: like inspiration from that character, or like oh I should 171 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 1: have done it this way or I should have done 172 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: that way, because like that's a part of my journey 173 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: and who I am today. So like I said, like 174 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 1: I it's weird to go back and say, oh, like 175 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: I should have done this, I shouldn't that. I just 176 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:42,959 Speaker 1: wish I was a little bit more selfish I think 177 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 1: that's the best thing I can say. 178 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, good answer, good answer for sure, and forbidden door. 179 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 3: This Sunday happening live in London. If you're in the area, 180 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:57,319 Speaker 3: there's still a few tickets available you could but if 181 00:08:57,360 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 3: you're not in the area, you can always just watch 182 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 3: it on pay per view. Recently, Jim Ross, who is 183 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:05,479 Speaker 3: a legend in the wrestling world, gave me some serious 184 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 3: flowers recently said that you were a big reason All 185 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 3: in Texas hit like it did. How did that feel 186 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:16,320 Speaker 3: coming from someone with that kind of legacy in wrestling on. 187 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 1: How do I say this and not you could. 188 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 3: Be selfish, We don't care, this is your show. 189 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: Let me let me say it and not sound like 190 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: a total fan. That was a slover knocker of a comment. 191 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: Very nice, I mean, I mean, it's really awesome because 192 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: Jim Ross has seen the best in the world, He's 193 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 1: seen the worst in the world. He's been around forever. 194 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 1: He's truly a legendary person and figure in our business. 195 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 1: So like anytime legends like that, I think and I 196 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 1: believe Jeff Jarrett had very kind words to say about me. 197 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 1: I'm always flabbergasted and floored by that because I don't 198 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: really do this for them. I don't do it for 199 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,680 Speaker 1: the compliments. I do it for me, me and my 200 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: love for pro wrestling, the art of pro wrestling and 201 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 1: the art of what we do in and outside of 202 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:03,200 Speaker 1: the ring. That's what I do it for. I just 203 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 1: kind of got obsessed with it on an ADHD level. 204 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 1: So to have like compliments like that that are not 205 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: taken very lightly, it's it's really it's really cool. It's 206 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 1: always very flooring, and you know, it's always very humbling, 207 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 1: like knowing that I'm doing the right things that people 208 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 1: are noticing that. I think it's a lot of like, yeah, right, 209 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 1: who's next, Who's jumping on my bandwagon? Next'? Who's the 210 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: next person I'm gonna put on the Athena Minion train, 211 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:30,199 Speaker 1: you know, And that's just kind of like but it's 212 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 1: very humbling, it's very very gratifying. Uh And I'm and 213 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 1: I'm the words are escaping me because like, honestly, I 214 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 1: think a friend of mine goes, yo, did you see this? 215 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: And I go, I work with them. Yeah, it's so cool. 216 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 1: I work with them, you know. But him being able 217 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 1: to give an analysis of my matches and stuff like that, 218 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 1: like and kind of like give me that high praise 219 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 1: on such a level is absolutely amazing. 220 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 2: Truly, Yeah, he's one of the best man just so good. 221 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 2: This uh this this week on Dynamite, UH came to 222 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 2: us from Scotland. You had a tag match yourself, Merseilles, 223 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 2: Mercedesne excuse me, big win over Tony Storm and Alex Windsor. 224 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 2: You delivered a brutal pile driver to miss Storm on 225 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 2: the rings before laying out Alexis with the face, Alex 226 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 2: with the face to get the win. How did the 227 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:26,400 Speaker 2: Scottish crowd contribute to this match and how do you 228 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 2: kind of plan to ride this momentum? 229 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:33,440 Speaker 1: The Scottish crowd did absolutely nothing for Athena. I was 230 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 1: expecting songs. 231 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 4: I wanted like colors gonna spice up your life, you 232 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 4: know the Proclaimers three hundred miles was as Athena has 233 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 4: walked through the isles of Scotland. 234 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 1: I felt very embarrassed that the Scotland crowd did not 235 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 1: appreciate their many and Overlord, that's why Tony Storm got 236 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: pow driven on stairs. That's why I Andrea Windsor. I 237 00:11:57,640 --> 00:12:02,079 Speaker 1: thinks Andrea took an and that's why I came out 238 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,680 Speaker 1: on top because it was in spite of Scotland. It's 239 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:06,959 Speaker 1: been so long since I've been over to the UK, 240 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 1: and that's how they greeted me. How dare they? 241 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 3: How dare they? 242 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 1: Some of the. 243 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 2: Some of the best things in life happened out of spite, 244 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 2: So that's a that's a good indicator right there. 245 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, I can tell you though this this Sunday, it 246 00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 3: is going to be a loud crowd for sure, and 247 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,600 Speaker 3: it feels like, you know, that crowd sort of gets 248 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 3: behind Tony I. You know, we saw it last time. 249 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 1: This was last time. 250 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:33,839 Speaker 3: We're not talking about this time. We're talking last time. 251 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:38,959 Speaker 3: You're heading into the O two arena this Sunday, obviously 252 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 3: big match for you going after that AW Women's World Championship. 253 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 3: How are you feeling mentally heading into this big matchup 254 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 3: in the O two arena this Sunday? 255 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:56,480 Speaker 1: Mentally, I'm confident. I'm extremely confident. Like Tony Storm is 256 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:00,319 Speaker 1: a joke, you know, she parades around and black like 257 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 1: she's bet Middler, Like whatever happened to Baby Jane? Like 258 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 1: I don't have time for that. I don't, I don't. 259 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 1: Aw's were the best wrestles AW stands for Athena Elite Wrestling. 260 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 1: I deserve to be on top. I have put in 261 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 1: the work, I have put in the accolade. I've beaten 262 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 1: three former aw Women's World Champions. It's just in my 263 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:20,840 Speaker 1: resume to not lose. That's why I'm the forever rweight Champion. 264 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 1: I don't think Tony Storm understands what she's getting into, 265 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:30,439 Speaker 1: and if not, she's gonna realize it with that sword neck. Oh, 266 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 1: I wanted to hit the Ralph Wigham so bad on her. 267 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:39,080 Speaker 1: I just wanted to so bad because it was so funny, 268 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: just her just distraught. I was like she was looking 269 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: for someone to end her story. She doesn't have to 270 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:48,920 Speaker 1: look any further. That's that's truly it. So I'm going 271 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 1: to be walking out forbidden door a dual world Champion, 272 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: the AEW Women's World Champion, and the forever are aweight Champion, 273 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: and will be a forever champion that people can actually 274 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 1: look up to, people that can actually praise and put 275 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: on a pedestal and not have to worry about being 276 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 1: turned to grayscale. Okay, I am the best in the 277 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:09,680 Speaker 1: world and it's about time people put some spec on 278 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,280 Speaker 1: my name and they understand it. 279 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 2: I agree absolutely, I don't disagree. 280 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 1: You guys are great. 281 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 3: We're all fans on this show. We're gonna put it over, 282 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 3: even though she doesn't need us to put her over. 283 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 2: Yeah. I would have worn a thena shirt, but the 284 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 2: only one I had was when I was heavier, so 285 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 2: I could. It's like a blanket now. 286 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 1: So it's fine, we we We'll get you some hair ties. 287 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 1: You can tie it in the back. Yeah. 288 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, the age. 289 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 3: I want to go back for a quick second. You 290 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:50,800 Speaker 3: and Willow made history main eventing an R o H 291 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 3: pay per view. That is a bit a big deal, 292 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 3: right when you walk back through that curtain after that match? 293 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 3: What was going through your head your mind after again 294 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 3: etching your name in the history books. 295 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 1: And I remember being super emotional about it, and I 296 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: remember like us being in the ring post match. I remember, 297 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: you know what, like we should share this moment. I 298 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 1: remember this like very specifically, and I don't do this 299 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 1: a lot, like even to this day. I was like, 300 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 1: you know what, yeah, like we both did this. We 301 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 1: both came out here. You know, her mom was in 302 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 1: the front row, and I made her mom cry. So 303 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: I thought that was wow. I thought it was funny. 304 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 1: I laughed in her mom's face too. It was great. 305 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 1: I'm totally not a bad guy. I just appreciate comedy. Okay, 306 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 1: it's it's beautiful when it happens. But I just remember 307 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 1: like just being like, you know what, it takes two 308 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 1: to tango, and I remember just raising her hand. I 309 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 1: remember going off the air seeing the shot of that, 310 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 1: and then I was mad because no one saw me 311 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:55,640 Speaker 1: decker in the face right after No so miserable. Oh 312 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 1: but honestly, it was. It was a really cool moment because, like, 313 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,480 Speaker 1: I feel like at my prior job, I didn't get 314 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: a lot of opportunities like that. Like I got to 315 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: make history, Don't get me wrong. I had to be 316 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 1: a part of the first for a rumble. I got 317 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,200 Speaker 1: to be a part of evolution, which was absolutely amazing. 318 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: But I never had moments that were truly about me, right. 319 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:15,160 Speaker 1: I felt like I was always a part of the team, 320 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 1: which is not bad because there's always longevity in that. 321 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: But I felt like with me working so hard and 322 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 1: knowing that it was better than everyone that was on 323 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: the roster at that time, Like, and people are gonna 324 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 1: rip me for that, and I don't care, because I am. 325 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: I am the best more, I'm grace of all time. 326 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 1: I do this for a living. I eat, breathe, live wrestling. 327 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 1: I run an indie show that's also weekly. I trained 328 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 1: people on the side, like I lived this life and 329 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 1: so like for me, I needed something for me because 330 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 1: I given so much to everyone else throughout my entire career, 331 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: and I felt like in that moment, it was it 332 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 1: was about me. It was about me and kind of Willow. 333 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 1: We hate her, We love the song, but I hate 334 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 1: to dance to It's terrible. It's gonna be suck in 335 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 1: my head now because it's going through. Do Do Do. 336 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:04,439 Speaker 1: It's so catchy and terrible. But like, honestly, I like, 337 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:07,840 Speaker 1: I really do appreciate Willow for being a good porcelain 338 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 1: hussy that night, for being a good dance partner that 339 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:13,760 Speaker 1: we had to live in a moment that felt like 340 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:16,439 Speaker 1: time stopped at the end of that match, you know, 341 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: and to go to the bag to see an entire roster. 342 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,840 Speaker 1: It wasn't just the women, it was everyone that was 343 00:17:22,880 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 1: on the r H pay per view in the back 344 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:29,400 Speaker 1: clapping for us, Tony Kahan in the back like hell yeah, chap, 345 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 1: like you know, and like to have that type of 346 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 1: support system within r OH just in general, just r 347 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 1: OH was absolutely like amazing. I never really had that, 348 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: and I remember just like telling people, it's like, now 349 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 1: you keep that up for that hussy. They're like, you 350 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: just punched. I said, Sho'll be fine. Just keep it, 351 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:49,440 Speaker 1: keep that energy up for her when she gets back. 352 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 1: They're like, bro, but it was so unnecessary. I go, 353 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 1: why not? It was fun. It's fun for me, but 354 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:59,959 Speaker 1: you know, it was really cool and like we I 355 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 1: you know, it's a moment that I look back on 356 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:02,959 Speaker 1: a lot because it was my first ever made a 357 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 1: bit of a pay per view and the start a 358 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:07,640 Speaker 1: mini after that, so like it just showed that, hey, 359 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 1: like the women can mean event this show. You know, 360 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 1: I believe Samoa, Joe and Claudio and Nigel and a 361 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 1: whole bunch of like legendary wrestling figures were also on 362 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 1: that show, and it meant the world that, like I 363 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:21,400 Speaker 1: got that main event spot, that we earned it. Our 364 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 1: story told told the story of legend if you will, right. 365 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,960 Speaker 1: But it was awesome, It was very awesome. Awesome. 366 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:33,880 Speaker 2: Well, I think we've kind of reached our time limits. 367 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 2: So yeah, heading into Forbidden Door, this is your shot. 368 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:41,640 Speaker 2: Anything you want to say to the fans, the Minions 369 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 2: that are falling. 370 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: You know what, watch me make history. Watch me make 371 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: history this weekend. You know. If you can't come in person, 372 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,879 Speaker 1: I will forgive you, Minions, I promise I will. But 373 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 1: you can watch on pay per view. I don't know 374 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,280 Speaker 1: where it's airing in the UK, but I'm pretty sure 375 00:18:57,320 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 1: you can get it on Amazon Prime. I'd like it. 376 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,560 Speaker 1: It's gonna be an amazing show from top to bottom, 377 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 1: like we have so much fun planned for you. But specifically, 378 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:12,400 Speaker 1: I expect kittens, Green Apple Skittles, Jack Daniel's Honey or 379 00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:16,200 Speaker 1: Crown Royal Apple after for my celebration. I will take 380 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:20,399 Speaker 1: an expensive tequila. I will, I will, I will, but 381 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:22,240 Speaker 1: I want it all lined up for me when I 382 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:25,200 Speaker 1: get back. I want the comfetti poppers. If we get 383 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 1: some sparklers, that would be great too, But just really 384 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:30,560 Speaker 1: just I want to make sure that I have my 385 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: moment that's perfect. So Minions, I'm not worried about Tony Storm. 386 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: No one should be worried about her, because I'm going 387 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:39,160 Speaker 1: to solve all of our problems. We're gonna take aw 388 00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 1: to New Heights as a feen Elite Wrestling. As I 389 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 1: become a duel forever champion, I can see it now forever, 390 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: and then I'll come in and do the just the 391 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:52,840 Speaker 1: rubbin interface