The Orlando Sentinel asked 8 WWE Superstars a simple question of when did they feel as if they belonged in the world of professional wrestling.
Here are their responses:
Paul Heyman:” I never felt out of place in this business. From the first moment I stepped foot inside of a locker room as a photographer, I knew I was home. Like a fish to water, like a bird to air.”
The Miz: “I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I belong here. Since I first got here in 2004 I did Tough Enough, I was always the outcast. The fans didn’t like me; backstage; the locker room doesn’t like me. Now I feel like people are starting to understand and respect me. I’ve been here long enough, I know what I’m doing and I’m very good at it, whether you like it or not. But some people still hate it.”
Maryse: “When I first started in about 2006, I could barely speak English. I was moving down to Louisville, Ky. I think at the time I was just young and very hungry to be successful. No matter what anyone has thrown at me, it doesn’t matter. And it’s still the same way today. It’s just who we are. I think I’m doing really good; I’m bringing a lot. When you’re at that level, a lot of people are going to try to bring you down. But we’re right here.”
Corey Graves: “No, and I think that kind of keeps me going. It’s kind of my mindset. I’ve never settled for anything. I’m goal-oriented but I try to never realize when I reach the goal, because you always feel like you can do more and get better. Hopefully I’ll be doing this for 25 years. I want to go, “That show wasn’t that good, I want to do better next week.” I’m very self-critical and I think it lends itself to succeeding. I’m aware of it, I appreciate it, and I’m grateful most of all for the opportunity. I love every moment that I’m here, even talking to the media. I get to talk about the coolest job in the world, what’s there to complain about?”
Nikki Bella:“It actually was my tryout. When Brie showed me all the girls who were wrestling, I was like, “Oh my gosh, this is our calling. Look at these girls kicking butt.” I was never into the bra and panties matches; it was just something I would never do. But when I started to see all these women truly wrestle, I thought, “I really want to do that.” When Brie and I went to McDonough, Ga., to Deep South, which used to be one of the developmental systems, the minute I got in the ring and took a back bump… Usually you would say, “Ow!” It did hurt, but I was like, “This is the coolest thing in the world. I have to do this.” From that moment on, even when my family said, “You’re sure you want to do this?” I was like, “We’re meant to do this.” I’ll never forget it. I was with Bill DeMott, my sister was there and a few of the girls that were in the ring. It was love at first sight. You’re either meant to be in the business or you’re not. And I think you know that when you get in the ring for the first time. Either it’s, “I don’t know…” or “I want more of this.” I wanted more of this.”
Carmella: “I was a valet for Cass and Enzo for two years in NXT, so when they got the call-up to go onto the main roster and I was still in NXT, I thought, “OK, this is my opportunity to work really hard and really show what I can prove.” Three months later I got drafted to Smackdown Live. I thought, as much fun as I had being with Cass and Enzo, I’m more than just a hype girl. I’ve been wrestling for less than three years, then I’m debuting on the main roster and I had my very first WrestleMania match. That, to me, was really cool to know I don’t need to be a hype girl, I can make it on my own as a wrestler.”
Renee Young:“I actually think that’s happening now. There’s definitely some times when you’re trying to figure out what you’re going to do and who you’re going to be in WWE. There have been times I’ve been up and down trying to find out where I want to be and what’s going to work. Now I feel like, the spot that I’m in right now, I’ve been able to really carve out my own unique spot. It’s nice to be able to create your own spot rather than trying to follow in on somebody else’s. I realized, “Oh wait, people are listening to me. I’m getting little reactions.” It is nice to be in a spot where you feel like you’re getting respect, and getting some love for what you’re doing. Everybody wants that, right? So that’s pretty cool. I’m pretty happy about it.”
