On a recent edition of the “AEW Unrestricted” podcast, Taya Valkyrie discussed her brief run in WWE NXT, her name change, her experience working for AEW, and more.
Valkyrie signed a WWE developmental contract in February 2021 and was released nine months later in November as part of a seventh round of layoffs, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On her name being changed during her NXT run: “People don’t like change, especially when they’ve known someone for so long. But, you know, I was given the ball and I tried to run with it. I tried to run with it and I did my best under the circumstances. I’ll be the first to admit I was there at a very crazy time, not only within that company, but also within the world that we exist in. I don’t think I was given a fair chance at all, but just like I said, I have to hold on to those moments when I was super happy and when I was super excited.”
On her experience in WWE: “I’ve said this in an interview before, I remember saying to John when I first started that I was Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when I walked through those doors. I actually bought myself a copy of the book because I wanted to remember how I felt on that day knowing that there are going to be days that are going to be horrible and sad, and guess what? That did happen. I just had to remind everybody of who I was, and that’s exactly what I did, and I was so determined, and I knew it would work out and it did.”
On her favorite part of working for AEW: “Just how accepting and positive people are. And people like to harp on the other side of that so much that I’m just like, my experience has been, especially coming from all these different places where sometimes people are not the nicest, and sometimes people want to see you fall on your face immediately. It is not like that… It’s been a really positive experience for me, and I feel like I’m just getting started. Like you said, it’s been five to six months now. I do feel like I’m finally finding my footing. I’ve had these crazy, great opportunities, but I just know that’s only scratching the surface of what I can do. I just am open, excited for what’s next.”
