In a freshly conducted interview with the esteemed Daily Star, Mariah May openly shared about her journey and experiences in AEW, emphasizing that the atmosphere in the locker room closely resembles that of a tight-knit family.
May is poised to battle it out with Toni Storm for the highly prized AEW Women’s World Championship. This wrestling spectacle will unfold at All In: London 2024 on the 25th of August.
The following are the key points from the engaging interview:
On her wrestling journey so far: May passionately said, “Where to begin, there’s so much. My childhood dream was to become a wrestler. Subsequent to leaving school, I trained rigorously while also maintaining side jobs to cover learning expenses. I initially ventured into the indie wrestling scene, working my hardest. I travelled across the country, took part in diverse training sessions and seminars, and performed at any available shows often with an average audience of 10 people. Luck then knocked on my door with an opportunity in Japan, initially meant to last a few months. However, I eagerly requested to extend my stay indefinitely which was granted. I therefore relocated to Japan on a whim, with my life packed into two suitcases. I had the privilege of wrestling in 100 matches, which was a significant turning point, challenging my abilities and resulting in my being able to make the prestigious leap to America, appear on TV, and become a proud part of AEW. This period of meteoric rise to wrestling at Wembley, although swift, came with numerous journeys, hard work and unwavering passion.”
On what it means to her to be wrestling at Wembley Stadium: May enthusiastically stated, “It’s rather surreal. I’ve been to Wembley several times for concerts and sports events. The notion that ‘I get to stand in this same place and wrestle?!’ still astounds me. But it’s a true testament to how hard I’ve worked and the impression I’ve made on Toni Storm. Some may argue that my rise was surprisingly rapid and unexpected, but for me it was all calculated. There was method to my picking Toni Storm as an opponent, and all along, this ultimate goal, wrestling at Wembley, was in my mind.”
On comparing the AEW locker room to other locker rooms she’s visited: May expressed her affection for both and stated, “I hold both Stardom and AEW dear to my heart. They are my extended family. Despite being a foreigner in both, I was embraced and cared for wholeheartedly. Although I don’t have family or friends around, the support I received was immeasurable. The Stardom is reminiscent of a close-knit sisterhood, resembling a school atmosphere due to the young age of its members. On the other hand, AEW resembles a more traditional family structure filled with diverse individuals from all walks of life – akin to having mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. The kindness and warmth is palpable.”