During a recent chat with Variety, WWE Superstar Naomi, whose real name is Trinity Fatu, shared her insights regarding her portrayal of Ethel Johnson in the forthcoming Mildred Burke biopic titled “Queen of the Ring”, the women who influenced her wrestling career, and more.
To give you a glimpse of the interview, here are some extracts:
When asked about Jacqueline Moore and Jazz: “The first women of wrestling that I was exposed to were Jazz and Jacqueline Moore, given what I symbolize and my appearance. They entered the field during a time when there was a significant lack of representation. They shattered the glass ceiling, representing Black excellence in wrestling and setting a standard. They are two of the greatest in the field, transcending race and gender.”
On the evolution of representation in the world of women’s wrestling over the past two decades:”Fast forward to today, I’m paving my own path. We have stars like Mercedes (Moné), Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill and Athena, among many others. We’re not only noticing isolated instances of excellence, but consistent brilliance from women wrestlers around the world.”
On the inspiration for the movie: “The exponential growth of women’s wrestling in the last decade has its roots in the women portrayed in the film. Reflecting on their contribution stirs up emotions. I just wish they realized how vital they were, how extraordinary they were, and how it all wasn’t for nothing.”
About Avildsen’s decision of casting women wrestlers in the movie: “Ash showcased his genius by including us in the film. Being active wrestlers, our portrayal naturally captures some of the authenticity.”
In a separate instance, during her recent participation in “Casual Conversations” podcast, WWE NXT Superstar Jakara Jackson discussed her bond with Lash Legend and the essence of Meta-Four.
Some highlights from the podcast included:
On Meta-Four: “Meta-Four is very dear to me. I kick-started my career with this group, which is a blend of four unique stars. I’m passionate about my group.”
On her bond with Lash Legend: “Lash is like a sister to me. Our partnership has been a gift. We have seen each other grow and evolve. We inspire each other.”
On competing for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles on the main roster: “Getting the chance to work with seasoned professionals on the major platform was incredible. They extracted the best out of us, giving us a glimpse into what achieving our ultimate goal feels like.”
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