Speaking with the Daily Star, Mariah May opened up about her journey in AEW, reflecting that the locker room gives off a feeling of a tight-knit family.
Come August 25, 2024, she is ready to take on Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In: London.
Selected highlights from May’s conversation are listed below:
Reflecting on her wrestling journey thus far: “It’s hard to know where to begin. My dream of becoming a wrestler emerged when I was a kid. After school, I was juggling multiple jobs along with wrestling training to cover the expenses. My journey in independent wrestling started then, but to call it a permanent gig would be an overstatement! I was putting in all my efforts and traveling across the nation, capturing every training and seminar opportunity, and welcoming all show offers – regardless of whether they pulled in just around 10 people on average. The chance to go to Japan changed everything. I extended my supposed-to-be short stay and even ended up relocating with a mere couple of suitcases. Wrestling 100 matches there proved to be a turning point in my life – from Japan to the United States, making it on TV, and finally, joining AEW. My journey to AEW and the opportunity to wrestle at Wembley has been nothing short of an adventure!”
Her thoughts on wrestling at Wembley Stadium: “The thought of it absolutely blows my mind. I’ve been to Wembley multiple times for concerts and games. It’s quite surreal to envision myself wrestling there. My hard work has borne fruit and I have made a significant impression on Toni Storm. People might say my rise was rapid and unexpected, but I was prepared. I singled out Toni Storm for a reason, having Wembley in mind as my ultimate goal.”
Her experience at the AEW locker room compared to other locker rooms she’s been in: “The locker rooms at both Stardom and AEW feel like family to me. Despite being a ‘foreigner’ in both, I’ve always felt cared for. The teams have been nothing but supportive. Japan has a sisterly vibe to it, a little bit like school. On the other hand, AEW feels like a bigger family – a melting pot of people from diverse backgrounds and roles. It’s warm, it’s inviting, and it’s incredibly diverse. It truly resembles a familial feel, like having an array of siblings! It’s a beautiful experience.”