Steph De Lander talks TNA appearances, contract status, Cardona injury (Patreon)

Steph De Lander, one-half of the Fightful Award Winning 2023 Indie Act of the Year, joined Fightful for an exclusive interview. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp spoke with the Australian native for over thirty minutes.

Sean kicked the interview off by asking De Lander what it is like knowing that people might know her more now as Steph DeLadner than when she was Persia Pirotta in the WWE. She said, It feels good, but it's also by design; everything that I do is intentional and methodical, and I, it might sound conceded, but I'm not surprised by that because the work that I put in for the last two years since I've been released, I made sure that everyone would know my name.”

Steph confirmed she is still a free agent and has not signed any contract. She says she is not against signing anywhere, but the money has to be right. Steph said Matt Cardona dealt with all the logistics regarding her recent work with TNA. Steph says she will work the Albany tapings for TNA on May 3rd and 4th. Steph said after the tapings, she is taking the approach of let's see what happens.

Mance Warner’s cat made a cameo. The cat’s name is Spaghetti. They have a total of four cats.

Sean asked Steph if Cardona intentionally tore his pec [pectoral] so he would not have to face him (SRS) and Shazza McKenzie. Steph said, “I think Matt tore his pec, so he didn't have to be my manager at TNA. I think he was like, look,  I've had to hit her in the head with a belt every week for the last year, and now it's my turn. I don't know if I want to deal with it.”

Steph told Sean, “I think he didn't do it himself. I think he would love to wrestle you and Shazza. We have spoken about it, but Matt and I are looking at it. What's going to create the most buzz? What's going to get people talking? What's going to be ridiculous?”

Steph would note that she believes there is money to be made, and it would kickstart their ultimate babyface run if they ended the legendary Sean Ross Sapp.

Steph says she was in Australia when Matt texted her about the injury. She mentioned that she didn’t know if he was truly hurt, so she texted Chelsea Green. Steph said Chelsea told her it was legit.

The Premier Women's Champion would then tell Fightful how she connected with Cardona. Steph said Cardona approached while on tour in Australia and told her, I want you to be a part of my presentation with him already being so wildly successful. He then asked if she was signed anywhere and told her he wanted her to be his hater on the Indies. Steph told Sean, “We got the ball rolling, and they were like, oh wow, that thing with Matt was so cool. And I go; there is not a single person in professional wrestling that I would have rather asked me to work with them.”

Steph discussed her relationship with Mance Warner and mentioned that he has been working hard in the gym. She told Sean that they are always filming promos in their home or watching tapes to study.

Sean asked Steph if the world could see only one Steph De Lander match right now, which match would it be? She said her match against Jordynne Grace at Rebellion. Steph said she was very proud of that match. 

Steph also mentioned that she only knew afterward that it was the biggest crowd I had ever wrestled in front of. Steph said all of her WWE work was during the pandemic, and she would wrestle in front of 300 people in the PC.

Steph talked about creating a bond with other wrestlers. She said, ”We don't have our families here. This place is whack like, what are we doing?  She says that she has had a lot of support.

They ended the show with Sean’s Shooting Softly segment. Sean asked her about Maki Itoh. Steph says Maki is the best. She added, “If anyone has figured out how to package themselves and create a brand and make money off it and be like the most entertaining person on the show and have the longest merch line, it’s Mackie.

Steph also spoke about Wendy Choo, Dani Mo, and Effy for shooting softly segment.

You can follow Steph De Lander on social media on X at @stephdelander and Instagram at @stephdelander.

Writers Note: Steph De Lander did not tell Sean if winning the Fightful Award made the girlhood dream come true. We assume it did.