In a recent appearance on the “Sunday Night’s Main Event” podcast, ROH Women’s World Champion Athena discussed pitching a “Minion Graduation” segment for ROH TV to AEW/ROH President Tony Khan, which continued her story with Billie Starkz.
The segment led to a match between the two women at ROH Final Battle 2023 which Athena won.
Athena said, “None of this would happen without TK. It was really awesome to be able to be given the ball and the faith is given to me each and every week when I go to work. Tony and I work hand in hand with creating minion stuff. I remember telling him, ‘We need a minion graduation.’ He’s like, ‘I’m sorry, what?’ I go, ‘Yeah, we need a minion graduation.’ He’s like, ‘Tell me how this is going to go. I am immensely intrigued.’ He loved the idea. I had my first promo in a very long time out there. I remember sweating. I was like, ‘I’ve been doing one takes backstage. I got this in the bag.’ It’s just an honor to be me.”
On a recent edition of the “AEW Unrestricted” podcast, Rachael Ellering revealed how her father, WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering, didn’t want her to become a wrestler.
She said, “A lot of people assume multi-generational talents have all grown up around wrestling and I had a total opposite experience of that. My dad did not let us watch it, he didn’t take us to shows. When I told him I wanted to be a wrestler he was like, ‘Absolutely not.’ He’s like, ‘You have scholarships for college, go get your degree and we will kind of talk about it later’. I think he thought it was just a phase that I was maybe going to grow out of. I did go to college, I did get my bachelor’s degree, I didn’t phone it in, I graduated with Latin and National honors, so I did the thing … But I made my degree so wrestling-centric it’s a joke.”
Rachael is currently part of the ROH roster.
In the world of professional wrestling, athletes often have unique stories and journeys that led them to their careers. Two prominent wrestlers, Athena and Rachael Ellering, recently shared their experiences and the challenges they faced in their paths to success.
Athena, the reigning ROH Women’s World Champion, recently appeared on the “Sunday Night’s Main Event” podcast, where she discussed her collaboration with AEW/ROH President Tony Khan. She revealed that she pitched a “Minion Graduation” segment for ROH TV, which continued her storyline with fellow wrestler Billie Starkz. This segment eventually led to a match between Athena and Starkz at ROH Final Battle 2023, where Athena emerged victorious.
Athena expressed her gratitude towards Tony Khan for giving her creative freedom and trusting her with important storylines. She mentioned that their collaboration in creating the minion-themed segment was a memorable experience. Initially, when Athena proposed the idea of a minion graduation to Khan, he was intrigued and wanted to know more about it. This interaction led to Athena delivering her first on-screen promo in a long time, which she described as an honor.
The “Sunday Night’s Main Event” podcast also shared a video clip of Athena’s appearance, allowing fans to witness her enthusiasm and passion for her work.
On another podcast, “AEW Unrestricted,” Rachael Ellering, a member of the ROH roster, opened up about her journey into professional wrestling. She revealed that her father is WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering, but he initially discouraged her from pursuing a career in wrestling. Rachael explained that her father did not allow her and her siblings to watch wrestling or attend shows while growing up. When she expressed her desire to become a wrestler, Paul insisted that she focus on her education and obtain a college degree.
Despite her father’s reservations, Rachael followed his advice and earned a bachelor’s degree with Latin and National honors. However, she also made sure to incorporate her passion for wrestling into her studies.
Rachael’s story highlights the determination and dedication she had to pursue her dreams despite initial opposition. It showcases her commitment to both her education and her love for wrestling.
Both Athena and Rachael Ellering’s stories serve as inspiration for aspiring wrestlers and individuals facing obstacles in their chosen paths. These wrestlers demonstrate the importance of perseverance, hard work, and the pursuit of one’s passion. Their experiences remind us that success often requires overcoming challenges and staying true to oneself.
As fans of professional wrestling, we can appreciate the dedication and sacrifices these athletes make to entertain us in the ring. Their stories add depth and meaning to the performances we witness, making us appreciate their talent even more.