November 18, 2025 • 10 mins
NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley joins The Battleground Podcast to talk about her huge win at Halloween Havoc, what it means to finally stand on her own, and why her reign will feel different from any other. Plus, she reveals her dream opponent for a title defense and shares thoughts on a possible move to Raw or SmackDown.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Battleground Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
You'll play for all things recently and exclusive interviews with
some of your favorite wrestlers.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Round podcast. Stop seeing Goode.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
What's up you guys? Welcome back into Iharria's official wrestling podcast,
The Battleground Podcast. At his Battle and joining us on
the show today, the new face of the NXT Women's Division,
the NXT Women's Champion Give it up for Tatum Pasley
joined the show. Tatum, how are you doing?
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I am wonderful. Thank you for having me on the
show today.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
We are so happy to have you on the show now. Recently,
I will tell you that we did have JC on
the show and my co host who's not here today,
had JC winning the match at Halloween Havoc. Ultimately that
did not happen. I had you winning the match, So congratulations.
Let's start with the win itself. Walk me through your mindset.
You entered the Battle Roy, you became the number one contender,
(01:04):
and then ultimately stepping into that title match at Halloween Havoc.
What was racing through your mind when you realize that
this could be your moment?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
What wasn't racing through my mind at that moment?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
It just like you know, I've had many title opportunities
in my time here in WWE, and as cool as
it would have, you know, all the thoughts of like
maybe maybe now is my time, Maybe now, like, there
always was something in me that just didn't feel like
now was the time.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And when things started aligning for my opportunity for the
NXT Women's Championship, it there was just.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
This feeling of I have this, like I know I
have it, Like there was such this confident, comfortable feeling.
And I don't know why or what it was, because
you know, I've been here for four years putting in
the work, and you know, it just kind of it
was kind of abrupt, you know. I feel like a
lot of people did think like I wasn't going to
be able to pull it off. But I feel like
(02:00):
I just knew for some reason, the time is now,
Like this, this is correct. I feel like the stories
that I've gone through and the people that I've connected
with and grown with through my time in WWE, like
everything just worked out in such a beautiful way in
a beautiful.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Time, right absolutely, And of course we got to hear
them say and new NXT Women's Champion at Halloween Havoc,
and you mentioned how you've been through it all different stories,
tag team, background stories, all those moments where it felt
like people saw your potential but like you said, didn't
really see you. Now suddenly you are front and center,
(02:36):
You're the face of the NXT women's division. Was there
like a certain you know, time story that made you
feel to yourself, Hey, I'm not number two anymore. I'm
number one.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
So the best way I'm gonna describe this, because I've
always been kind of attached to somebody, that's my personality.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
I'm very reliant and what I started.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Doing my stuff with my sweet dove Ira Valkyria, I
really feel like that is what allowed me to connect
with people. And as easy it is as it is
for me to say, like now that I'm champion, this
is how I feel like I can stand on my own.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
But honestly, once I started doing that story.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
With Lyra is when I really got the opportunity to
connect to the audience, and when I started feeling like
I had a strong connection is when I really felt
like I am my own person no matter how reliant
I am on if it's you know, my sweet dub,
if it's my best friend, Izzy, Like, I still feel
(03:39):
like I've got this.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
On my own.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
No matter who I'm with, I'm connecting to the audience,
with or without a title. I'm connecting to the audience.
And that's always been and will always will be my
number one goal while I'm.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Here, right absolutely, And it's been fun to watch because,
like you said, you're connecting with the audience. You could
see everybody's excitement when you're up there, and it's not
just kind of like a forced kind of thing from
the crowd, like it's genuinely they're there for you. And
it's a great feeling to see that. And of course
we're here to talk about the special edition of NXT
that takes place Tuesday, November eighteenth, at the Theater at
(04:13):
Madison Square Garden, live on the CW eight pm Eastern.
Something really cool that we have noticed recently with WW.
There's all this crossover energy happening lately. WW is working,
you know, with Triple A and TNA talent popping up
on different brands, and it feels like the walls are
finally coming down a bit. So let me ask you this,
(04:33):
as a defending fighting champion, is there anyone out there
that maybe you haven't stepped in the ring with yet
that you would love to mix it up with.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Oh my gosh, there's so many people out there that
I would love the opportunity to work. And what I
will say, like if I date back to when I
made the crossover to TNA, I was the first contracted
like ww wrestler to cross over and challenge Jordan Grace.
And for somebody in my position who didn't grow up
on the independent scenes, who only knows WWE wrestling, it
(05:06):
really helped me advance and boost my confidence to get
to wrestle somebody that at the time was under TNA contract,
you know, getting to wrestle people with different styles that
have been there, done that, been all over the place.
So I, you know, me being as champion as you've
if you've seen the last couple of weeks on NXT,
I want everybody to have their opportunity.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
I know how hard it is for a lot of
people to get their spotlight.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
And I know my best friend Izzy and the Calling
they kind of want me to take a step back
and not be so giving to everybody, But I want
to be you know, I want to have as many
give out as many title opportunities as I possibly can.
You know, so, I think it's great that we have
like more doors open for so many different opponents that
(05:53):
I wouldn't have even thought of to come and challenge
for this title.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Right, is there like maybe somebody out there that you're
wanting to step up to, like call them out right
now in particular?
Speaker 2 (06:05):
You let me think, you know what I think would
be cool. I wrestled her already, but I had so
much fun. I would love to have a title shot,
a title opportunity for Rosemary at TNA.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
I think that would be a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
I think all of us would think that would be
a lot of fun. And let's put it out there
in the universe. Let's get Tatum versus Rosemary NXT women's
title anytime, anyplace, anywhere. You know. One thing that's really
cool because we scroll through social media and a lot
of people are talking online, people are saying that you're
the future of raw or SmackDown. When you see things
(06:47):
like that online, what is going through your mind seeing
that gratification that people are so already saying, Hey, this
is the next face of the red brand at raw
or the blue brands SmackDown.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Right, so honestly, with social media, I try not to
let the good thing said or the bad things say
said mean. I try to not let it really mean
much to me, even if it is positive. And of
course it's it's great to see and to know that
people are rooting for me. But the real test if
people are rooting for me is when I step in front.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Of them live.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
You know, can I get their reaction live and on
social media? Like the way that I feel, I feel comfortable,
and whenever my time comes to be on Raw or SmackDown,
I trust when Triple H sees the perfect time, I
trust in his decision entirely. You know, I'm in no
rush to get to Raw or SmackDown, but I am.
(07:43):
I'm super excited to be there, but I'm super comfortable
here in NXT as well. I just know wherever I am,
I'm going to try to connect to that audience. So
when I see it online, of course it's you know,
it makes me feel like, Okay, I'm doing my job.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
People want to see me take that next step.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
But you know, I just kind of put it entirely
up to the reactions that I get live.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Yeah, absolutely for sure. Now when fans look back at
Tatum's NXT Women's Championship reign, what do you want them
to say? Like when someone tweets Tatum Paxley's title run
was different. What makes it different?
Speaker 2 (08:21):
There's so much I could say, So the first thing
I will say is I feel like we have gotten use.
When you see a champion and they are about to
have a title defense, you are like, oh.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
She's got it. I know for sure she's winning or
they're winning.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
There's this confidence of like, you know which direction it's
gonna go with me, even if you are my number
one supporter.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
When I defend this title, there's this sense of anxiety
with it.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
You know, like if we date back to a couple
of weeks ago when I when I was supposed to
have my first title defense with Lolavice until it was
interrupted by fatal influence, you know, everyone was so happy
and then the wheel ended.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
On Lola and people were ooh, Like.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
I'm rotten for you, girl, but I'm a little nervous,
and I think it's so cool to have that kind
of nervousness. Nervousness with your champion right now. But overall,
me holding this title, what it represents to me, even
someone on top. Right now, I'm still very human. I
still I'm really high, I'm really low. I overreact, I underreact,
(09:28):
like I have all these emotions when normally you're used
to seeing your champion be like top of their game
twenty four to seven.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
But I am I'm not that kind of champion. I am.
I am as human as they come, and I.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Think that's what's really cool about, you know, Tatum, being
you're NXT Women's Champion right now?
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Yeah, absolutely, As we come to the end of our
interview before we let you go, is there anything you
want to say to the fans watching or listening to
this right now?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Thank you all for supporting me, for allowing me to
relate to you guys, and be sure to not miss
NXT Special episode November eighteenth at MSG at gold Rush.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Awesome, Tata, It's an honor and a privilege to have
you on the show. Congrats on winning that title and
look forward to having you back on here many many
more times in the future.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Absolutely, I'll be here.
Welcome to the Battleground Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
You'll play for all things recently and exclusive interviews with
some of your favorite wrestlers.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Round podcast. Stop seeing Goode.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
What's up you guys? Welcome back into Iharria's official wrestling podcast,
The Battleground Podcast. At his Battle and joining us on
the show today, the new face of the NXT Women's Division,
the NXT Women's Champion Give it up for Tatum Pasley
joined the show. Tatum, how are you doing?
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I am wonderful. Thank you for having me on the
show today.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
We are so happy to have you on the show now. Recently,
I will tell you that we did have JC on
the show and my co host who's not here today,
had JC winning the match at Halloween Havoc. Ultimately that
did not happen. I had you winning the match, So congratulations.
Let's start with the win itself. Walk me through your mindset.
You entered the Battle Roy, you became the number one contender,
(01:04):
and then ultimately stepping into that title match at Halloween Havoc.
What was racing through your mind when you realize that
this could be your moment?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
What wasn't racing through my mind at that moment?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
It just like you know, I've had many title opportunities
in my time here in WWE, and as cool as
it would have, you know, all the thoughts of like
maybe maybe now is my time, Maybe now, like, there
always was something in me that just didn't feel like
now was the time.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And when things started aligning for my opportunity for the
NXT Women's Championship, it there was just.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
This feeling of I have this, like I know I
have it, Like there was such this confident, comfortable feeling.
And I don't know why or what it was, because
you know, I've been here for four years putting in
the work, and you know, it just kind of it
was kind of abrupt, you know. I feel like a
lot of people did think like I wasn't going to
be able to pull it off. But I feel like
(02:00):
I just knew for some reason, the time is now,
Like this, this is correct. I feel like the stories
that I've gone through and the people that I've connected
with and grown with through my time in WWE, like
everything just worked out in such a beautiful way in
a beautiful.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Time, right absolutely, And of course we got to hear
them say and new NXT Women's Champion at Halloween Havoc,
and you mentioned how you've been through it all different stories,
tag team, background stories, all those moments where it felt
like people saw your potential but like you said, didn't
really see you. Now suddenly you are front and center,
(02:36):
You're the face of the NXT women's division. Was there
like a certain you know, time story that made you
feel to yourself, Hey, I'm not number two anymore. I'm
number one.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
So the best way I'm gonna describe this, because I've
always been kind of attached to somebody, that's my personality.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
I'm very reliant and what I started.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Doing my stuff with my sweet dove Ira Valkyria, I
really feel like that is what allowed me to connect
with people. And as easy it is as it is
for me to say, like now that I'm champion, this
is how I feel like I can stand on my own.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
But honestly, once I started doing that story.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
With Lyra is when I really got the opportunity to
connect to the audience, and when I started feeling like
I had a strong connection is when I really felt
like I am my own person no matter how reliant
I am on if it's you know, my sweet dub,
if it's my best friend, Izzy, Like, I still feel
(03:39):
like I've got this.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
On my own.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
No matter who I'm with, I'm connecting to the audience,
with or without a title. I'm connecting to the audience.
And that's always been and will always will be my
number one goal while I'm.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Here, right absolutely, And it's been fun to watch because,
like you said, you're connecting with the audience. You could
see everybody's excitement when you're up there, and it's not
just kind of like a forced kind of thing from
the crowd, like it's genuinely they're there for you. And
it's a great feeling to see that. And of course
we're here to talk about the special edition of NXT
that takes place Tuesday, November eighteenth, at the Theater at
(04:13):
Madison Square Garden, live on the CW eight pm Eastern.
Something really cool that we have noticed recently with WW.
There's all this crossover energy happening lately. WW is working,
you know, with Triple A and TNA talent popping up
on different brands, and it feels like the walls are
finally coming down a bit. So let me ask you this,
(04:33):
as a defending fighting champion, is there anyone out there
that maybe you haven't stepped in the ring with yet
that you would love to mix it up with.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Oh my gosh, there's so many people out there that
I would love the opportunity to work. And what I
will say, like if I date back to when I
made the crossover to TNA, I was the first contracted
like ww wrestler to cross over and challenge Jordan Grace.
And for somebody in my position who didn't grow up
on the independent scenes, who only knows WWE wrestling, it
(05:06):
really helped me advance and boost my confidence to get
to wrestle somebody that at the time was under TNA contract,
you know, getting to wrestle people with different styles that
have been there, done that, been all over the place.
So I, you know, me being as champion as you've
if you've seen the last couple of weeks on NXT,
I want everybody to have their opportunity.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
I know how hard it is for a lot of
people to get their spotlight.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
And I know my best friend Izzy and the Calling
they kind of want me to take a step back
and not be so giving to everybody, But I want
to be you know, I want to have as many
give out as many title opportunities as I possibly can.
You know, so, I think it's great that we have
like more doors open for so many different opponents that
(05:53):
I wouldn't have even thought of to come and challenge
for this title.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Right, is there like maybe somebody out there that you're
wanting to step up to, like call them out right
now in particular?
Speaker 2 (06:05):
You let me think, you know what I think would
be cool. I wrestled her already, but I had so
much fun. I would love to have a title shot,
a title opportunity for Rosemary at TNA.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
I think that would be a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
I think all of us would think that would be
a lot of fun. And let's put it out there
in the universe. Let's get Tatum versus Rosemary NXT women's
title anytime, anyplace, anywhere. You know. One thing that's really
cool because we scroll through social media and a lot
of people are talking online, people are saying that you're
the future of raw or SmackDown. When you see things
(06:47):
like that online, what is going through your mind seeing
that gratification that people are so already saying, Hey, this
is the next face of the red brand at raw
or the blue brands SmackDown.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Right, so honestly, with social media, I try not to
let the good thing said or the bad things say
said mean. I try to not let it really mean
much to me, even if it is positive. And of
course it's it's great to see and to know that
people are rooting for me. But the real test if
people are rooting for me is when I step in front.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Of them live.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
You know, can I get their reaction live and on
social media? Like the way that I feel, I feel comfortable,
and whenever my time comes to be on Raw or SmackDown,
I trust when Triple H sees the perfect time, I
trust in his decision entirely. You know, I'm in no
rush to get to Raw or SmackDown, but I am.
(07:43):
I'm super excited to be there, but I'm super comfortable
here in NXT as well. I just know wherever I am,
I'm going to try to connect to that audience. So
when I see it online, of course it's you know,
it makes me feel like, Okay, I'm doing my job.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
People want to see me take that next step.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
But you know, I just kind of put it entirely
up to the reactions that I get live.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Yeah, absolutely for sure. Now when fans look back at
Tatum's NXT Women's Championship reign, what do you want them
to say? Like when someone tweets Tatum Paxley's title run
was different. What makes it different?
Speaker 2 (08:21):
There's so much I could say, So the first thing
I will say is I feel like we have gotten use.
When you see a champion and they are about to
have a title defense, you are like, oh.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
She's got it. I know for sure she's winning or
they're winning.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
There's this confidence of like, you know which direction it's
gonna go with me, even if you are my number
one supporter.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
When I defend this title, there's this sense of anxiety
with it.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
You know, like if we date back to a couple
of weeks ago when I when I was supposed to
have my first title defense with Lolavice until it was
interrupted by fatal influence, you know, everyone was so happy
and then the wheel ended.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
On Lola and people were ooh, Like.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
I'm rotten for you, girl, but I'm a little nervous,
and I think it's so cool to have that kind
of nervousness. Nervousness with your champion right now. But overall,
me holding this title, what it represents to me, even
someone on top. Right now, I'm still very human. I
still I'm really high, I'm really low. I overreact, I underreact,
(09:28):
like I have all these emotions when normally you're used
to seeing your champion be like top of their game
twenty four to seven.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
But I am I'm not that kind of champion. I am.
I am as human as they come, and I.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Think that's what's really cool about, you know, Tatum, being
you're NXT Women's Champion right now?
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Yeah, absolutely, As we come to the end of our
interview before we let you go, is there anything you
want to say to the fans watching or listening to
this right now?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Thank you all for supporting me, for allowing me to
relate to you guys, and be sure to not miss
NXT Special episode November eighteenth at MSG at gold Rush.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Awesome, Tata, It's an honor and a privilege to have
you on the show. Congrats on winning that title and
look forward to having you back on here many many
more times in the future.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Absolutely, I'll be here.
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