During a recent interview with talkSPORT, Nia Jax commented on the criticism she’s received for injuring Kairi Sane on RAW several weeks ago, facing Asuka at Backlash, and more. You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On her match with Asuka at Backlash: “Taking the time off to get healthy and fix my knees up really helped prepare me for this because I’ve been just working my butt off just to get back in that ring. I feel the opportunity to face Asuka for the RAW Women’s championship is incredible, I’m ready to take on that title again. Asuka is one of the best competitors I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. She’s such a pleasure to get in the ring with and every time I am in the ring with her, I learn more about Nia Jax’s character and what she’s capable. So I’m really excited about Sunday and what we’re able to do in the ring.”
On the negativity she’s received online after Kairi Sane’s injury: “I feel like every person or character who would say ‘oh, whatever they say doesn’t bother me’ are kind of lying. Because I am working for the approval of an audience. Whether it be hating or loving, I want their reaction. So when you’re on Twitter and you see it constantly, it can definitely get to you a little bit. It’s like ‘wow, all I’m seeing is negativity.’ But when I step back and I actually immerse myself into the WWE Universe – like when I get to see the crowd and fans – I know that’s just a small percentage on Twitter who have nothing better to do than hate on somebody. The fans in real life are so welcoming, so giving and so understanding, I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from them and I’m super grateful for that.”
On being out for a full year due to injury: “In the beginning of my recovery of my injury and my rehab, I didn’t watch much wrestling. But towards the end, probably the last three months, it was all I was watching and obsessing over. It was really cool to see what the women were doing. It’s crazy right now during a pandemic where everything is shut down, I feel this is the best roster we’ve had in so long that I can’t wait until we get an audience back so they can just feel and see exactly what we’re capable of. But, having the time off to really step back and not only just watch what the women have been doing and what we have coming up, but also being able to tap into things I haven’t been able to use but I know I’m capable of, so it’s been a really good thing for me and I’m glad that I’m able to come back and learn a new way to wrestle in front of no audience and prepare for when the audience does return again.”
