August 22, 2025 • 19 mins
ROH Women’s World Champion Athena joins us ahead of her MASSIVE title match with Toni Storm at Forbidden Door this Sunday LIVE in London! Athena talks her record-breaking reign as ROH Women’s Champion, getting praise from Jim Ross & reflecting on Ember Moon to Athena
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Battleground Podcast. You'll play for all things
pro wrestling and exclusive interviews with some of your favorite
wrestlers around podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Stop it, what's up you guys? Welcome back into iHeartRadio
is official wrestling podcast, The Battleground Podcast. And as you
know this Sunday it is a big time for aew
live in London. It is ae W New Japan Pro
Wrestling for Bidendoor and on the show today with us
(00:40):
somebody who I think we would all agree could actually
should be the main event for Forbidden Door. The longest
raining r o H Women's World Champion, Athena joins the show.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
You forgot forever? Excuse me, let me go back.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
The longest raining forever Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Women's Champion,
Athena joins the show.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
I'm here, Hi, hello man.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Oh man.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
There's a clarification on that. You are currently the longest
reigning world champion in the world right now.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Oh so, okay, also the longest reigning champion in Ring
of Honor history. I mean we could just as we go.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I mean to give you an idea. Okata has had
his title for five hundred days, so he's literally at
almost half of what you've done, and it feels like
he's had his belt forever too well, he.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Needs to just get better. He's not on my level.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
That half is good evidently. Yeah, so I want to
talk about it.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
This incredible historic title reign that you're on. Did you
ever think that you're going to have this kind of
run in ROH when you first came in or has
this just all built up one match at a time.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
I think it's something that was really a surprise to me,
to be honest with you, Like I think, outwardly egotistical
as I am, like behind the scenes, I'm very self
conscious and probably a lot of low self esteem when
it comes to stuff like that. So never in a
million years that I see myself in a position like this.
But like, honestly, since I tore my achilles and I
(02:15):
came back from that, I just treat every match like
it's my last match, because like I remember thinking, Wow,
my last match is going to be like I don't
want to say what it was, but like I was
like my last match when I right before I tore
my achilles, I wasn't extremely happy with and I was like, man,
I would hate if that's the way that I go out.
I would hate like just looking back and being like
that was my last match. Okay, it's not exactly what
(02:37):
I wanted. It was a great match, it was a
fun opponent, but it just wasn't what I wanted. And
so every time I go into the ring, whether it
be a tag match, a singles match, me trying to
deal with Williams like it's one of those things. I
have to treat every match like it's my last match
because I never know, and I don't want to go
out in my career just thinking what if I would
(02:58):
have done this, what if I would have done that?
You know. So definitely I think that reflects with my
ROH title ring, is that every match I do like
it could be my last match. It could be my
last match of champion. But I'm not going to go
and put my bottom foot forward. I don't even know
the analogy, I right, right right, you know. So I
just want to make sure that whatever I do, I
put all of my heart and soul into it, so
(03:20):
I'm happy with it despite what the finish might be. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well, like we like we mentioned, you know, congrats on
becoming You're currently the longest reigning world champion female or
a male in the world right now, over nine hundred
and fifty days with your title forever champion, you know,
kind of bouncing off the first question, I mean, how
does it feel to kind of be the face of
Ring of Honor and you know, pushing forward that legacy
but also standing tall as a dominant force across women's
(03:45):
wrestling internationally.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
It's it's pretty pretty sick, it's pretty od. Yeah, it
is never in a million years that I expect this.
Like when I first start wrestling, like two thousand and six,
two thousand and seven, I remember like Ring of Honor
was the place to be. We had Sarah del Ray,
we had Das Hayes that would occasionally make an appearance
there at Alis in Danger, Lacey Mischief, like so many
countless others, And I was like, yo, I gotta work
for Arno, which I gotta get an opportunity there, And
(04:10):
I ended up doing a tryout match when they were
in Texas and I ended up getting a spot on
the roster when they had their women's storylines and stuff
like that. So like it meant a lot to me
back then because I genuinely worked hard to get that position,
and now with Tony Kahn bringing back Ring of Honor,
and like, I just have to like it meant so
much to me to have that opportunity to earn that position,
(04:31):
like I have to do the same. I have to
treat it with respect because so many people came before
me that like this was their life. Ring of Honor
was their passion. And so no matter where I am,
I rep my brand. I rep ring them honor very proudly.
So I just can't do anything less than my best. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Right, And you know, when you think of best, there's
also another women's champion in there that seems like she's
being a bell collector. I didn't say the greatest. I
just said the best. We know who the greatest champion is.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
I don't like this.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Here's the thing, though, is it seems like you and
Mercedes have kind of been vibing, right. Fans are starting
to pick up on it. You're out there on social
media doing tiktoks and whatnot. Tony's also said that there's
a women's tag team titles that already made. Throwing this
out there, you know where we're going. Is this something
(05:26):
you'd be into? You and Mercedes? You know, going after
the aw women's tag title, after you beat Tony this Sunday,
you know.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Just saying, look, I've never been super into about collectors
because I don't like that tsa pre check. Is you
trying to get through security? And I can only imagine
her life is a nightmare right now, which I would
love to film and record. I would love to I
just if I see her one day, I'm just gonna
film it as they take it all out, just to
show you. I'm like, this is why. But honestly is
(05:59):
a strong word. I think keep your enemies close, uh
is kind of the method the enemy of the of
my enemy is my friend type vibe. But honestly, she's
one of the best in the world. I am the
best in the world. But it's really cool to have
us all in a match. I think, like when we
had Dynamite, that was the first time all three of
the champions were in the same match at the same time.
(06:20):
So that was a cool moment. But like, Mercedes has
to up her game a little bit. She can't be
distracted with this timeless haussy. I'm sorry, I don't know
what she has going on in her head when it
comes to Tony Storm. Hopefully when I beat Tony Storm,
that will be the end of this nonsense. And you
know what, maybe if she wants to join MIT go
through the proper Minion training, we can maybe do something
(06:43):
with that. You know, we could use a mini and CEO.
I think I think that that's possible. But you know what,
we're two of the best women in the world. Like
I all all jokes and fun aside, it's been interesting
very much so unforeseen because I rather beat her for
the TVs Chance inship than TAG. But like, also if
(07:03):
the opportunity presents itself, I know we're both, like you know,
very competitive, We're both very aggressive when it comes to
being the best in the world. Why not, Yeah, that's why.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Great answer, great answer.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
So you know your revolution has been great to watch
from the Indies and then to ember Moon to back Tothena. Now,
what would you say if you could go back and
talk to Ember Moon, like maybe when we had to
say goodbye to that character, what would you tell her
with what's going on now?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
I don't know, because like I feel like a lot
of where I am now is because of Imbermoon. I
don't regret anything. I wish I was a little how
did to put a little bit more selfish for myself
in that moment, But I prided myself on always being
a team player, always trying to be for the match
(07:57):
versus for myself. I think that's the only thing I
would change is I would be a little bit more selfish.
But at the same time, I wouldn't be the Forever
Oh Champion without Imbermoon in that journey that I had there,
I wouldn't be comfortable with being who I am and
presenting that on a TV platter, if you will, if
it wasn't for Inmbermon and me trying to hide behind
a mass. You know, I love that character. I put
(08:17):
a lot of heart and soul into the creative for
that character. So like I will, I'll never say never
when it comes to Imber Moon as far as taking
like inspiration from that character, or like, oh I should
have done it this way or I should have done
that way, because like that's a part of my journey
and who I am today. So like I said, like
I it's weird to go back and say, oh, like
(08:38):
I should have done this, I shouldn't that. I just
wish I was a little bit more selfish. I think
that's the best thing I can say.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yeah, good answer, good answer for sure. And forbidden door.
This Sunday happening live in London. If you're in the area,
there's still a few tickets available you could those, but
if you're not in the area, you can always just
watch it on pay per view. Recently, Jim Ross, who
is a legend in the wrestling world, gave me some
(09:04):
serious flowers recently said that you were a big reason
All in Texas hit like it did. How did that
feel coming from someone with that kind of legacy in wrestling.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
On how do I say this and not you could
be selfish, We don't care.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
This is your show.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Let me let me say it and not sound like
a total fan. That was a slover or knocker of
a comment. Very nice, I mean, I mean, it's really
awesome because Jim Ross has seen the best in the world,
he's seen the worst in the world. He's been around forever.
He's truly a legendary person and figure in our business.
(09:41):
So like anytime legends like that, I think and I
believe Jeff Jarrett had very kind words to say about me.
I'm always flabbergasted and floored by that, because I don't
really do this for them. I don't do it for
the compliments. I do it for me, Me and my
love for pro wrestling, the art of pro wrestling and
the art of what we do in and outside of
(10:01):
the ring. That's what I do it for. I just
kind of got obsessed with it on an ADHD level.
So to have like compliments like that that are not
taken very lightly, it's it's really it's really cool. It's
always very flooring, and you know, it's always very humbling,
like knowing that I'm doing the right things that people
are noticing that. I think it's a lot of like, yeah, right,
(10:23):
who's next, who's jumping on my bandwagon next'? Who's the
next person I'm gonna put on the Athena Minion train,
you know, And that's just kind of like but it's
very humbling, it's very very gratifying. Uh And I'm and
I'm the words are escaping me because like, honestly, I
think a friend of mine goes, yo, did you see this?
And I go, I work with them. Yeah, it's so cool.
(10:45):
I work with them, you know. But him being able
to give an analysis of my matches and stuff like that,
like and kind of like give me that high praise
on such a level is absolutely amazing.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Truly, Yeah, he's one of the best. Man just so good.
This uh, this this week on Dynamite, UH came to
us from Scotland. You had a tag match yourself Merseilles,
Mercedes Mane excuse me, big win over Tony Storm and
Alex Windsor. You delivered a brutal pile driver to miss
Storm on the rings before laying out Alexis with the face,
(11:20):
Alex with the face to get the win. How did
the Scottish crowd contribute to this match and how do
you kind of plan to ride this momentum?
Speaker 1 (11:29):
The Scottish crowd did absolutely nothing for Athena. I was
expecting songs. I wanted like colors gonna spice up your life,
you know the Proclaimers three hundred miles was as Athena
has walked through the isles of Scotland. I felt very
embarrassed that the Scotland crowd did not appreciate their many
(11:50):
and Overlord, that's why Tony Storm got pow driven on stairs.
That's why I Andrea Windsor. I thinks Andrea took an
and that's why I came out on top because it
was in spite of Scotland. It's been so long since
I've been over to the UK, and that's how they
greeted me. How dare they?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
How dare they?
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Some of the.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Some of the best things in life happened out of spite,
So that's a that's a good indicator right there.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah, I can tell you though this this Sunday, it
is going to be a loud crowd for sure, and
it feels like, you know, that crowd sort of gets
behind Tony. I. You know, we saw it last time.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
This was last time.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
We're not talking about this time. We're talking last time.
You're heading into the O two arena this Sunday, obviously
big match for you going after that AW Women's World Championship.
How are you feeling mentally heading into this big matchup
in the O two arena this Sunday?
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Mentally, I'm confident. I'm extremely confident. Like Tony, serm is
a joke, you know, she parades around and black and
she's bet Middler, like whatever happened to Baby Jane? Like
I don't have time for that. I don't. I don't
Aw's were the best wrestles AW stands for Athena Elite Wrestling.
I deserve to be on top. I have put in
the work. I have put in an accolade. I've beaten
(13:13):
three former aw Women's World champions. It's just in my
resume to not lose. That's why I'm the forever rweight Champion.
I don't think Tony Storm understands what she's getting into,
and if not, she's gonna realize it. With that sword neck. Oh,
I wanted to hit the Ralph Wigham so bad on her.
(13:35):
I just wanted to so bad because it was so funny,
just her just distraught. I was like she was looking
for someone to end her story. She doesn't have to
look any further. That's that's truly it. So I'm going
to be walking out Forbidden Door a dual World Champion,
the AEW Women's World Champion, and the forever are aweight champion,
(13:56):
and will be a forever champion that people can actually
look up to, people that can actually praise and put
on a pedestal and not have to worry about being
turned to grayscale. Okay, I am the best in the
world and it's about time people put some spec on
my name and they understand it.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
I agree, absolutely, I don't disagree.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
You guys are great.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
We're all fans on this show. We're gonna put it over,
even though she doesn't need us to put her over.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Yeah. I would have worn a thena shirt, but the
only one I had was when I was heavier, so
I could. It's like a blanket now.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
So it's fine. We we We'll get you some hair ties.
You can tie it in the back.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Yeah, yell the age.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
I want to go back for a quick second. You
and Willow made history main eventing an R o H
pay per view. That is a bit a big deal,
right when you walk back through that curtain after that match?
What was going through your head? Your mind after again
etching your name in the history books.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
And I remember being super emotional about it, and I
remember like us being in the ring post match. I remember,
you know what, like we should share this moment. I
remember this like very specifically, and I don't do this
a lot, like even to this day. I was like,
you know what, yeah, like we both did this. We
both came out here. You know, her mom was in
the front row, and I made her mom cry. So
(15:25):
I thought that was wow. I thought it was funny.
I laughed in her mom's face too. It was great.
I'm totally not a bad guy. I just appreciate comedy. Okay,
it's it's beautiful when it happens. But I just remember
like just being like, you know what, it takes two
to tango, and I remember just raising her hand. I
remember going off the air seeing the shot of that,
(15:48):
and then I was mad because no one saw me
decker in the face right after No, so miserable. Oh
but honestly, it was It was a really cool moment because, like,
I feel like at my prior job, I didn't get
a lot of opportunities like that. Like I got to
make history, don't get me wrong. I had to be
a part of the first for a rumble. I got
to be a part of evolution, which was absolutely amazing.
(16:10):
But I never had moments that were truly about me, right.
I felt like I was always a part of the team,
which is not bad because there's always longevity in that.
But I felt like with me working so hard and
knowing that it was better than everyone that was on
the roster at that time, like, and people are gonna
rip me for that, and I don't care because I
am I am the best more, I'm grace of all time.
I do this for a living. I eat, breathe, live wrestling.
(16:32):
I run an indie show that's also weekly. I trained
people on the side like I lived this life and
so like for me, I needed something for me because
I given so much to everyone else throughout my entire career,
and I felt like in that moment, it was it
was about me. It was about me and kind of Willow.
We hate her, We love the song, but I hate
(16:52):
to dance to It's terrible. It's gonna be suck in
my head now because it's going through Do Do Do.
It's so catchy and terrible. But like, honestly, I like,
I really do appreciate Willow for being a good porcelain
hussy that night, for being a good dance partner that
we had to live in a moment that felt like
(17:13):
time stopped at the end of that match, you know,
and to go to the bag to see an entire roster.
It wasn't just the women, it was everyone that was
on the r H pay per view in the back
clapping for us. Tony Kahan in the back, like hell yeah, Chap,
like you know, and like to have that type of
support system within r OH just in general, just r
(17:37):
OH was absolutely like amazing. I never really had that.
And I remember just like telling people, it's like, now
you keep that up for that hussy. They're like, you
just punched. I said, Sho'll be fine, just keep it,
keep that energy up for her when she gets back.
They're like, bro, but it was so unnecessary. I go,
why not? It was fun, It's fun for me, but
you know, it was really cool and like we I
(18:00):
you know, it's a moment that I look back on
a lot because it was my first ever made a
bit of a pay per view and the start a
mini after that, so like it just showed that, hey,
like the women can mean event this show. You know,
I believe Samoa, Joe and Claudio and Nigel and a
whole bunch of like legendary wrestling figures were also on
that show, and it meant the world that, like I
got that main event spot, that we earned it. Our
(18:21):
story told told the story of legend if you will, right,
But it was awesome. It was very awesome. Awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Well, I think we've kind of reached our time limits.
So yeah, heading into forbidden door. This is your shot.
Anything you want to say to the fans, the Minions
that are falling, you know what.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
Watch me make history. Watch me make history this weekend.
You know. If you can't come in person, I will
forgive you Minions, I promise I will. But you can
watch on pay per view. I don't know where it's
airing in the UK, but I'm pretty sure you can
get it on Amazon Prime. I'd like it. It's gonna
be an amazing show from top to bottom, like, we
have so much fun planned for you. But specifically, I
(19:07):
expect kittens, Green Apple Skittles, Jack Daniel's Honey or Crown
Royal Apple after for my celebration, I will take an
expensive tequila. I will, I will, I will, but I
want it all lined up for me when I get back.
I want the comfetti poppers. If we get some sparklers,
that would be great too, But just really, just I
(19:29):
want to make sure that I have my moment that's perfect.
So Minions, I'm not worried about Tony Storm. No one
should be worried about her, because I'm going to solve
all of our problems. We're gonna take aw to new
heights as a feen Elite Wrestling. As I become a
duel forever champion, I can see it now forever, and
then I'll come in and do the just the rubbin
(19:52):
interface
Welcome to the Battleground Podcast. You'll play for all things
pro wrestling and exclusive interviews with some of your favorite
wrestlers around podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Stop it, what's up you guys? Welcome back into iHeartRadio
is official wrestling podcast, The Battleground Podcast. And as you
know this Sunday it is a big time for aew
live in London. It is ae W New Japan Pro
Wrestling for Bidendoor and on the show today with us
(00:40):
somebody who I think we would all agree could actually
should be the main event for Forbidden Door. The longest
raining r o H Women's World Champion, Athena joins the show.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
You forgot forever? Excuse me, let me go back.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
The longest raining forever Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Women's Champion,
Athena joins the show.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
I'm here, Hi, hello man.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Oh man.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
There's a clarification on that. You are currently the longest
reigning world champion in the world right now.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Oh so, okay, also the longest reigning champion in Ring
of Honor history. I mean we could just as we go.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I mean to give you an idea. Okata has had
his title for five hundred days, so he's literally at
almost half of what you've done, and it feels like
he's had his belt forever too well, he.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Needs to just get better. He's not on my level.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
That half is good evidently. Yeah, so I want to
talk about it.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
This incredible historic title reign that you're on. Did you
ever think that you're going to have this kind of
run in ROH when you first came in or has
this just all built up one match at a time.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
I think it's something that was really a surprise to me,
to be honest with you, Like I think, outwardly egotistical
as I am, like behind the scenes, I'm very self
conscious and probably a lot of low self esteem when
it comes to stuff like that. So never in a
million years that I see myself in a position like this.
But like, honestly, since I tore my achilles and I
(02:15):
came back from that, I just treat every match like
it's my last match, because like I remember thinking, Wow,
my last match is going to be like I don't
want to say what it was, but like I was
like my last match when I right before I tore
my achilles, I wasn't extremely happy with and I was like, man,
I would hate if that's the way that I go out.
I would hate like just looking back and being like
that was my last match. Okay, it's not exactly what
(02:37):
I wanted. It was a great match, it was a
fun opponent, but it just wasn't what I wanted. And
so every time I go into the ring, whether it
be a tag match, a singles match, me trying to
deal with Williams like it's one of those things. I
have to treat every match like it's my last match
because I never know, and I don't want to go
out in my career just thinking what if I would
(02:58):
have done this, what if I would have done that?
You know. So definitely I think that reflects with my
ROH title ring, is that every match I do like
it could be my last match. It could be my
last match of champion. But I'm not going to go
and put my bottom foot forward. I don't even know
the analogy, I right, right right, you know. So I
just want to make sure that whatever I do, I
put all of my heart and soul into it, so
(03:20):
I'm happy with it despite what the finish might be. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well, like we like we mentioned, you know, congrats on
becoming You're currently the longest reigning world champion female or
a male in the world right now, over nine hundred
and fifty days with your title forever champion, you know,
kind of bouncing off the first question, I mean, how
does it feel to kind of be the face of
Ring of Honor and you know, pushing forward that legacy
but also standing tall as a dominant force across women's
(03:45):
wrestling internationally.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
It's it's pretty pretty sick, it's pretty od. Yeah, it
is never in a million years that I expect this.
Like when I first start wrestling, like two thousand and six,
two thousand and seven, I remember like Ring of Honor
was the place to be. We had Sarah del Ray,
we had Das Hayes that would occasionally make an appearance
there at Alis in Danger, Lacey Mischief, like so many
countless others, And I was like, yo, I gotta work
for Arno, which I gotta get an opportunity there, And
(04:10):
I ended up doing a tryout match when they were
in Texas and I ended up getting a spot on
the roster when they had their women's storylines and stuff
like that. So like it meant a lot to me
back then because I genuinely worked hard to get that position,
and now with Tony Kahn bringing back Ring of Honor,
and like, I just have to like it meant so
much to me to have that opportunity to earn that position,
(04:31):
like I have to do the same. I have to
treat it with respect because so many people came before
me that like this was their life. Ring of Honor
was their passion. And so no matter where I am,
I rep my brand. I rep ring them honor very proudly.
So I just can't do anything less than my best. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Right, And you know, when you think of best, there's
also another women's champion in there that seems like she's
being a bell collector. I didn't say the greatest. I
just said the best. We know who the greatest champion is.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
I don't like this.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Here's the thing, though, is it seems like you and
Mercedes have kind of been vibing, right. Fans are starting
to pick up on it. You're out there on social
media doing tiktoks and whatnot. Tony's also said that there's
a women's tag team titles that already made. Throwing this
out there, you know where we're going. Is this something
(05:26):
you'd be into? You and Mercedes? You know, going after
the aw women's tag title, after you beat Tony this Sunday,
you know.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Just saying, look, I've never been super into about collectors
because I don't like that tsa pre check. Is you
trying to get through security? And I can only imagine
her life is a nightmare right now, which I would
love to film and record. I would love to I
just if I see her one day, I'm just gonna
film it as they take it all out, just to
show you. I'm like, this is why. But honestly is
(05:59):
a strong word. I think keep your enemies close, uh
is kind of the method the enemy of the of
my enemy is my friend type vibe. But honestly, she's
one of the best in the world. I am the
best in the world. But it's really cool to have
us all in a match. I think, like when we
had Dynamite, that was the first time all three of
the champions were in the same match at the same time.
(06:20):
So that was a cool moment. But like, Mercedes has
to up her game a little bit. She can't be
distracted with this timeless haussy. I'm sorry, I don't know
what she has going on in her head when it
comes to Tony Storm. Hopefully when I beat Tony Storm,
that will be the end of this nonsense. And you
know what, maybe if she wants to join MIT go
through the proper Minion training, we can maybe do something
(06:43):
with that. You know, we could use a mini and CEO.
I think I think that that's possible. But you know what,
we're two of the best women in the world. Like
I all all jokes and fun aside, it's been interesting
very much so unforeseen because I rather beat her for
the TVs Chance inship than TAG. But like, also if
(07:03):
the opportunity presents itself, I know we're both, like you know,
very competitive, We're both very aggressive when it comes to
being the best in the world. Why not, Yeah, that's why.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Great answer, great answer.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
So you know your revolution has been great to watch
from the Indies and then to ember Moon to back Tothena. Now,
what would you say if you could go back and
talk to Ember Moon, like maybe when we had to
say goodbye to that character, what would you tell her
with what's going on now?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
I don't know, because like I feel like a lot
of where I am now is because of Imbermoon. I
don't regret anything. I wish I was a little how
did to put a little bit more selfish for myself
in that moment, But I prided myself on always being
a team player, always trying to be for the match
(07:57):
versus for myself. I think that's the only thing I
would change is I would be a little bit more selfish.
But at the same time, I wouldn't be the Forever
Oh Champion without Imbermoon in that journey that I had there,
I wouldn't be comfortable with being who I am and
presenting that on a TV platter, if you will, if
it wasn't for Inmbermon and me trying to hide behind
a mass. You know, I love that character. I put
(08:17):
a lot of heart and soul into the creative for
that character. So like I will, I'll never say never
when it comes to Imber Moon as far as taking
like inspiration from that character, or like, oh I should
have done it this way or I should have done
that way, because like that's a part of my journey
and who I am today. So like I said, like
I it's weird to go back and say, oh, like
(08:38):
I should have done this, I shouldn't that. I just
wish I was a little bit more selfish. I think
that's the best thing I can say.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yeah, good answer, good answer for sure. And forbidden door.
This Sunday happening live in London. If you're in the area,
there's still a few tickets available you could those, but
if you're not in the area, you can always just
watch it on pay per view. Recently, Jim Ross, who
is a legend in the wrestling world, gave me some
(09:04):
serious flowers recently said that you were a big reason
All in Texas hit like it did. How did that
feel coming from someone with that kind of legacy in wrestling.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
On how do I say this and not you could
be selfish, We don't care.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
This is your show.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Let me let me say it and not sound like
a total fan. That was a slover or knocker of
a comment. Very nice, I mean, I mean, it's really
awesome because Jim Ross has seen the best in the world,
he's seen the worst in the world. He's been around forever.
He's truly a legendary person and figure in our business.
(09:41):
So like anytime legends like that, I think and I
believe Jeff Jarrett had very kind words to say about me.
I'm always flabbergasted and floored by that, because I don't
really do this for them. I don't do it for
the compliments. I do it for me, Me and my
love for pro wrestling, the art of pro wrestling and
the art of what we do in and outside of
(10:01):
the ring. That's what I do it for. I just
kind of got obsessed with it on an ADHD level.
So to have like compliments like that that are not
taken very lightly, it's it's really it's really cool. It's
always very flooring, and you know, it's always very humbling,
like knowing that I'm doing the right things that people
are noticing that. I think it's a lot of like, yeah, right,
(10:23):
who's next, who's jumping on my bandwagon next'? Who's the
next person I'm gonna put on the Athena Minion train,
you know, And that's just kind of like but it's
very humbling, it's very very gratifying. Uh And I'm and
I'm the words are escaping me because like, honestly, I
think a friend of mine goes, yo, did you see this?
And I go, I work with them. Yeah, it's so cool.
(10:45):
I work with them, you know. But him being able
to give an analysis of my matches and stuff like that,
like and kind of like give me that high praise
on such a level is absolutely amazing.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Truly, Yeah, he's one of the best. Man just so good.
This uh, this this week on Dynamite, UH came to
us from Scotland. You had a tag match yourself Merseilles,
Mercedes Mane excuse me, big win over Tony Storm and
Alex Windsor. You delivered a brutal pile driver to miss
Storm on the rings before laying out Alexis with the face,
(11:20):
Alex with the face to get the win. How did
the Scottish crowd contribute to this match and how do
you kind of plan to ride this momentum?
Speaker 1 (11:29):
The Scottish crowd did absolutely nothing for Athena. I was
expecting songs. I wanted like colors gonna spice up your life,
you know the Proclaimers three hundred miles was as Athena
has walked through the isles of Scotland. I felt very
embarrassed that the Scotland crowd did not appreciate their many
(11:50):
and Overlord, that's why Tony Storm got pow driven on stairs.
That's why I Andrea Windsor. I thinks Andrea took an
and that's why I came out on top because it
was in spite of Scotland. It's been so long since
I've been over to the UK, and that's how they
greeted me. How dare they?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
How dare they?
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Some of the.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Some of the best things in life happened out of spite,
So that's a that's a good indicator right there.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah, I can tell you though this this Sunday, it
is going to be a loud crowd for sure, and
it feels like, you know, that crowd sort of gets
behind Tony. I. You know, we saw it last time.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
This was last time.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
We're not talking about this time. We're talking last time.
You're heading into the O two arena this Sunday, obviously
big match for you going after that AW Women's World Championship.
How are you feeling mentally heading into this big matchup
in the O two arena this Sunday?
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Mentally, I'm confident. I'm extremely confident. Like Tony, serm is
a joke, you know, she parades around and black and
she's bet Middler, like whatever happened to Baby Jane? Like
I don't have time for that. I don't. I don't
Aw's were the best wrestles AW stands for Athena Elite Wrestling.
I deserve to be on top. I have put in
the work. I have put in an accolade. I've beaten
(13:13):
three former aw Women's World champions. It's just in my
resume to not lose. That's why I'm the forever rweight Champion.
I don't think Tony Storm understands what she's getting into,
and if not, she's gonna realize it. With that sword neck. Oh,
I wanted to hit the Ralph Wigham so bad on her.
(13:35):
I just wanted to so bad because it was so funny,
just her just distraught. I was like she was looking
for someone to end her story. She doesn't have to
look any further. That's that's truly it. So I'm going
to be walking out Forbidden Door a dual World Champion,
the AEW Women's World Champion, and the forever are aweight champion,
(13:56):
and will be a forever champion that people can actually
look up to, people that can actually praise and put
on a pedestal and not have to worry about being
turned to grayscale. Okay, I am the best in the
world and it's about time people put some spec on
my name and they understand it.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
I agree, absolutely, I don't disagree.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
You guys are great.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
We're all fans on this show. We're gonna put it over,
even though she doesn't need us to put her over.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Yeah. I would have worn a thena shirt, but the
only one I had was when I was heavier, so
I could. It's like a blanket now.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
So it's fine. We we We'll get you some hair ties.
You can tie it in the back.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Yeah, yell the age.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
I want to go back for a quick second. You
and Willow made history main eventing an R o H
pay per view. That is a bit a big deal,
right when you walk back through that curtain after that match?
What was going through your head? Your mind after again
etching your name in the history books.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
And I remember being super emotional about it, and I
remember like us being in the ring post match. I remember,
you know what, like we should share this moment. I
remember this like very specifically, and I don't do this
a lot, like even to this day. I was like,
you know what, yeah, like we both did this. We
both came out here. You know, her mom was in
the front row, and I made her mom cry. So
(15:25):
I thought that was wow. I thought it was funny.
I laughed in her mom's face too. It was great.
I'm totally not a bad guy. I just appreciate comedy. Okay,
it's it's beautiful when it happens. But I just remember
like just being like, you know what, it takes two
to tango, and I remember just raising her hand. I
remember going off the air seeing the shot of that,
(15:48):
and then I was mad because no one saw me
decker in the face right after No, so miserable. Oh
but honestly, it was It was a really cool moment because, like,
I feel like at my prior job, I didn't get
a lot of opportunities like that. Like I got to
make history, don't get me wrong. I had to be
a part of the first for a rumble. I got
to be a part of evolution, which was absolutely amazing.
(16:10):
But I never had moments that were truly about me, right.
I felt like I was always a part of the team,
which is not bad because there's always longevity in that.
But I felt like with me working so hard and
knowing that it was better than everyone that was on
the roster at that time, like, and people are gonna
rip me for that, and I don't care because I
am I am the best more, I'm grace of all time.
I do this for a living. I eat, breathe, live wrestling.
(16:32):
I run an indie show that's also weekly. I trained
people on the side like I lived this life and
so like for me, I needed something for me because
I given so much to everyone else throughout my entire career,
and I felt like in that moment, it was it
was about me. It was about me and kind of Willow.
We hate her, We love the song, but I hate
(16:52):
to dance to It's terrible. It's gonna be suck in
my head now because it's going through Do Do Do.
It's so catchy and terrible. But like, honestly, I like,
I really do appreciate Willow for being a good porcelain
hussy that night, for being a good dance partner that
we had to live in a moment that felt like
(17:13):
time stopped at the end of that match, you know,
and to go to the bag to see an entire roster.
It wasn't just the women, it was everyone that was
on the r H pay per view in the back
clapping for us. Tony Kahan in the back, like hell yeah, Chap,
like you know, and like to have that type of
support system within r OH just in general, just r
(17:37):
OH was absolutely like amazing. I never really had that.
And I remember just like telling people, it's like, now
you keep that up for that hussy. They're like, you
just punched. I said, Sho'll be fine, just keep it,
keep that energy up for her when she gets back.
They're like, bro, but it was so unnecessary. I go,
why not? It was fun, It's fun for me, but
you know, it was really cool and like we I
(18:00):
you know, it's a moment that I look back on
a lot because it was my first ever made a
bit of a pay per view and the start a
mini after that, so like it just showed that, hey,
like the women can mean event this show. You know,
I believe Samoa, Joe and Claudio and Nigel and a
whole bunch of like legendary wrestling figures were also on
that show, and it meant the world that, like I
got that main event spot, that we earned it. Our
(18:21):
story told told the story of legend if you will, right,
But it was awesome. It was very awesome. Awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Well, I think we've kind of reached our time limits.
So yeah, heading into forbidden door. This is your shot.
Anything you want to say to the fans, the Minions
that are falling, you know what.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
Watch me make history. Watch me make history this weekend.
You know. If you can't come in person, I will
forgive you Minions, I promise I will. But you can
watch on pay per view. I don't know where it's
airing in the UK, but I'm pretty sure you can
get it on Amazon Prime. I'd like it. It's gonna
be an amazing show from top to bottom, like, we
have so much fun planned for you. But specifically, I
(19:07):
expect kittens, Green Apple Skittles, Jack Daniel's Honey or Crown
Royal Apple after for my celebration, I will take an
expensive tequila. I will, I will, I will, but I
want it all lined up for me when I get back.
I want the comfetti poppers. If we get some sparklers,
that would be great too, But just really, just I
(19:29):
want to make sure that I have my moment that's perfect.
So Minions, I'm not worried about Tony Storm. No one
should be worried about her, because I'm going to solve
all of our problems. We're gonna take aw to new
heights as a feen Elite Wrestling. As I become a
duel forever champion, I can see it now forever, and
then I'll come in and do the just the rubbin
(19:52):
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