During an interview on “What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon,” WWE Superstar Naomi discussed the evolution of women’s wrestling and how the current generation of female stars who are also mothers has inspired her and changed the perception of what is possible for women in the industry.
A Different Era
Naomi, who has been with WWE for 16 years, reflected on the landscape for female performers when she first started. She explained that the idea of taking time off to start a family and then returning to the ring was not considered a viable option. “The women, I always felt like I had this time crunch on me,” she said. “But now the women are showing and I really feel like, if I wanted to stop and go have a baby, we can do it… 16 years ago, you didn’t feel like you could do that. That’s for sure. I feel like it was a wrap. Yeah, baby, you’re done.”
Inspired by a New Generation of Moms
She specifically pointed to legends like Trish Stratus and current stars like Becky Lynch as the trailblazers who are proving that women can have both a family and a successful, top-level wrestling career. “She inspires me, yeah, especially now Becky,” Naomi stated. “They’re doing it so gracefully… and it is hard, it is, it’s not easy. I see the lows, but they get through it, and they’re better for it, and they’re inspiring so many women, and I think that’s just incredible.”
Thinking About the Future
The success of these women has made Naomi and her husband, Jimmy Uso, think about their own future and the possibility of starting a family, something they considered during her recent time away from the company. “Because when she stepped away… it was family talk. We was thinking about starting,” Jimmy revealed. “Because when she left, it was like, ‘All right, I think I’m done wrestling.’ But then, like, she said, something lit up in, ‘I’m not done yet.'”
Host Stephanie McMahon praised Naomi for her own role in inspiring the next generation. “I hope you understand you are that too,” she said. “I mean, you are beyond a shadow of a doubt. Setting that example, you are inspiring future generations right now.”
The full interview can be seen on the “What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon” YouTube channel. Click below to watch.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Whats Your Story? With Steph McMahon with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
