Athena talks leaving WWE, Jody Threat situation, Signing With AEW (Patreon)

The Ring of Honor Women's World Champion Athena joined Fightful’s Grapsody Podcast with Phil Lindsay and Righteous Reg for an exclusive interview.

Athena discussed her undefeated streak, which sits at 29-0 in ROH [Ring of Honor]. She would also talk about how she gets the freedom to be herself in the ring. Athena likes that ROH is taped and noted that if you ever see the audio get cut out, it’s because she probably used language that she was not supposed to.

Athena gets asked how she feels about being the face of the division. She said it was pretty cool, considering that she used to work there before. She spoke about how the Ring of Honor Women’s title was over 20 years old.

The former NXT Women’s Champion brought up the names of some of her colleagues from her old ROH days, like Allison Danger, Sara Del Ray, and Daizee Haze. Athena said these women were the ones that started showing the world that women could wrestle and do more things outside of just hot tubs. Athena would also say that women transitioned from a raunchy period into more wrestling again. Athena also mentioned that it was not easy for some. Athena credited the women on the Indy scene and said they don't get enough credit for building women’s wrestling back up.

Athena emphasized the importance of women's wrestling in Ring of Honor. She said they are a wrestling brand that produces quality wrestling with people you may have heard of.

Athena addressed her controversial match with Jody Threat.  Athena said Jody was awesome and took that ass whooping like nobody else could. She said she’s so glad that Jody found success at IMPACT Wrestling. Athena added that the match was all about herself at the end of the day. Athena talked about her determination to win the upcoming rematch with Willow Nightingale in the semifinals of the Owen Hart tournament and to win the tournament overall.

Athena said she was a big fan of Owen Hart; she enjoyed watching The Blue Blazer and watched a ton of that film on him. She said to be in the Owen Cup tournament, where it's all about wrestling and his legacy, is a cool opportunity.

Willow Nightingale’s name came up in conversation, and Athena said Willow is one of the strongest pound-for-pound opponents she’s faced. Athena mentioned that Willow is a heavyweight, and she does it with a smile and hits hard. Athena would go on to say that she was jealous of Willow's opportunities; Athena said she wanted those opportunities.

Athena would talk about wrestling in Chicago. Athena said Chicago has some of the best fans. She said she loves it when the company is in Chicago. Athena credits the history of indie wrestling being ingrained there.

She said she believed the United Center was the same arena she sat in the rafters watching, a fatal four away. She mentioned that she remembers being in the crowd and seeing one of her favorite matches.

Athena would go on and talk about more full-circle moments. Athena mentioned that she worked SummerSlam 2019 at the Scotiabank Centre in Toronto and worked there again with Billie Starz at Forbidden Door. Athena said Billie Starkz stepped it up during the Owen Cup Tournament, but it wasn’t enough.

Athena talked about having a problem with her promo work. They brought up the criticism of her promo style; of course, the approach to promos differs. Athena explained that AEW lets her be herself. Whereas in the WWE, she was a character.

Athena mentioned she was afraid of being herself because she said she was a “super big nerd.” She said she transitioned to WWE TV and said it did not go real because she was this spooky red-eyed demon witch, werewolf, vampire lady. She said she did not know what it was supposed to be.  Athena said they tried to humanize the character, but it didn't work.

She would say that she felt her promos were lacking because of some of the writing. Athena added when you make someone else’s words your own; it can be a make-or-break thing.

Athena said when she had her Achilles surgery, she started taking acting classes; Athena was taking 23 acting classes a week; just to try to improve because it was the one thing she was terrified of. Athena said she couldn’t cut a promo as Ember Moon because she did not know who Ember Moon was.