Shayna Baszler is no longer officially on the active roster, but the former champion has maintained a strong relationship with WWE and could potentially return in a full-time capacity behind the scenes.
Since her release from WWE in May, Baszler has stayed busy by taking independent bookings and holding seminars. However, she has also made regular visits to NXT to guest coach and shadow producers. When she isn’t on the road, Baszler is often found at the WWE Performance Center assisting younger talent.
“Strangely enough, I feel like I’m busier and away from home more than I was before, just by the nature of taking every available opportunity there is to just do everything that I want to do,” Baszler said on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet. “I’m still taking indie dates and doing stuff like that. I’ve been doing a lot of guest coaching and shadowing producing at NXT. So, pretty much, if I’m not on the road, I’m helping out there, if I can.”
Baszler clarified her current employment status with the company. “I’m not like officially hired, but I have a good relationship with them. So, you know, I’m officially guest coaching when I can or when the opportunity comes.”
When asked if this could eventually evolve into a full-time position, Baszler expressed enthusiasm for the idea. “I’m hoping,” Baszler responded. “If I don’t suck too bad at the guest part of it, then…”
Interestingly, Baszler had already begun helping in this capacity before her release was even finalized. She admitted that she was initially “salty” when asked if she would continue doing so during her 90-day non-compete clause, but she ultimately found the work rewarding.
“I got emotionally invested in the athletes that are there that I’m working with,” she said. “Some of the girls, even some of the guys, like, seeing their growth and seeing collaboration ideas. I’ve been a talent, right? So I know how to go from creative to the talent and kind of bridge the gap of what creative is looking for and what the talent wants to do.”
“I don’t know, I got emotionally invested in everything. So they kind of got me coming back. But, yeah, it’s been a lot more rewarding. I’ve enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, to be honest.”
Baszler noted that WWE has been supportive of her continuing to wrestle on the independent circuit while guest coaching, with no ultimatums issued so far. While she wouldn’t rule out wrestling more matches for WWE if asked, she stated that at this stage in her career, she is more interested in satisfying her creative appetite and keeping her wrestling style alive than chasing personal accolades.
The 45-year-old Baszler is a former two-time NXT Women’s Champion and a three-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. In addition to her backstage work, she made an on-camera appearance at NXT Homecoming this past September.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Insight with Chris Van Vliet with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch the interview on YouTube.
