Interviews
Renee Young sits down with Miss Athena Star
Renee Young: My guest today is one of pro wrestling's greatest women competitors of all time; please join me in welcoming Miss Athena Star!
Athena Star: I'm glad that we've finally had the chance to sit down together, seems like we've been talking about it for months!
Renee Young: That's true, although there's no doubt that we've had several roadblocks, including the altercation between yourself and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey earlier this fall. We've heard about that incident several times, from Rousey herself and from wrestling pundits reporting on the fallout.
Athena Star: That altercation wasn't so much an altercation but an ambush. Rousey got impatient because my meeting with the bosses took longer than she would have liked, thus holding her up. It isn't as if I did so on purpose, there was just a lot of bad feelings between myself and management at that time that needed to be worked out.
Renee Young: And has it been? Worked out, that is?
Athena Star: Well, I'm in the tournament, am I not?
Renee Young: True, but you said originally at From Dusk Til Dawn that you'd be sitting the tournament out.
Athena Star: And a lot has changed between then and now, including the constant call-outs from Rousey. I cannot just sit back and let the shit-talking commence. If Rousey wants to go, we'll go. I've never backed down from a challenge before, and I'm not about to start now.
Renee Young: Are you worried about your momentum as you head into Saturday's tournament?
Athena Star: Momentum is just a frame of mind. Yes, Amazon pinned me at From Dusk Til Dawn, but what's often left out of that conversation is the fact that I have two singles victories over her already. As much as I'd like to say I swept the series, I'm also fine in saying that I've won the best two out of three. And I should be clear, I mean no disrespect to Amazon. Until now, she's been my most formidable opponent. Of course, that changes Saturday, when I step into the ring with Rousey.
Renee Young: Though you seem confident now, you seemed a bit shaken at FDTD 3 when you originally announced you'd sit out Hell Hath No Fury. What brought that confidence back?
Athena Star: Listen, when I made that announcement, I didn't realize what more I could contribute to this business. I was, admittedly, at a low point. I have won the world championship, I'm the longest-reigning female champion of all time. I didn't think I had much left to prove. But then you take a look at the roster that the EWA's built, and I see challenges everywhere. In a way, this has all been a very eye-opening and inspiring experience.
Renee Young: Aside from Rousey, who are you watching in the tournament?
Athena Star: Charlotte Flair, for starters. She's got the pedigree and the upbringing, and I think she could definitely be an opponent for me in the semi or final round. Also, I'd go on a limb and say that though I've never seen her in action, Megan Mouse might be one to watch.
Renee Young: Is there anyone on the PWI women's roster that you regret you won't be able to work with?
Athena Star: Oh, absolutely. I've got a lot of respect for Angelina Love, and I also think Sasha Banks would be a lot of fun to wrestle. With that, though, I need to get going. Before I do though, I want to respond to one last thing Rousey said, when she claimed she'd break my arm.... BRING IT, BITCH!
Renee Young sits down with 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey
Renee Young: It's my great honor and privilege to sit down with MMA legend and the self-proclaimed "Baddest Woman on the Planet," "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to speak with me.
Ronda Rousey: "Self-proclaimed?" Do you not know who I am?
Renee Young: Apologies... I will take your word for it.
Ronda Rousey: You can either take my word for it, or you can take a look at my unprecedented UFC record.
Renee Young: There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that you're one of the most formidable threats in the EWA's Knockouts Division, and quite possibly the entire world of women's professional wrestling. Can you talk a little about your journey from the world of ultimate fighting to the world of professional wrestling?
Ronda Rousey: Ever since I was a little girl, I've enjoyed kicking ass. As I grew into adulthood, I always kept my eye on professional wrestling. By the time I began my Ultimate Fighting Championship career circa-2011, the wrestling world as we once knew it ceased to exist. So I instead made a name for myself inside the Octagon. But I always dreamed of stepping inside the squared circle, and that dream comes a reality when I beat Athena Star and 10 other Knockouts to become champion on Dec. 28!
Renee Young: Tell me, what happened in September that caused you and Star's altercation?
Ronda Rousey: I had arrived in Stamford to record some vignettes to hype my debut. I had a meeting with Benny Mouse that was delayed over an hour by whatever was going on during his previous meeting with Star. When they came out of their meeting, she and traded some words and before I knew it, I was laying her ass out cold for disrespecting me in front of top-level executives.
Renee Young: So, this wasn't just a case of you searching out the biggest dog in the yard just to make a name for yourself?
Ronda Rousey: You're going to want to work on how you phrase your questions, because you're on pretty thin ice here. Again, you must not know who I am, because when I say I'm the baddest woman on the planet, there's no quotes around that... it's the moniker I've earned by being the most dominant woman in the history of MMA. Listen, when I was coming up, I watched Athena Star's work. I remember being a fan, but at the same time, Star's reign as "the biggest dog in the yard" was only made possible due to the lack of formidable competition. That's not the case anymore, and if it was not for me, Star would still be at home licking her wounds following her loss to Amazon.
Renee Young: There is no doubt in my mind that your involvement and subsequent challenge was enough to motivate Star to an early return. That said, she's still arguably the biggest name in women's wrestling, with Amazon a close second. Do you worry that the experience you have in the octagon will prove useless when you step into the world of professional wrestling?
Ronda Rousey: Like I said, Star's reputation as one of the top female wrestlers comes from an era in which the competition was pretty lax. Same could be said about Amazon, if I'm being honest. No one's ever stepped inside of a wrestling ring with me, and because of that, I think you and my potential challengers are dramatically underestimating me.
When I walk into Madison Square Garden on Dec. 28th, I will put the roster on notice. And I'll do so first by making easy work of Miss Athena Star. In fact, I think Dec. 28th might be the last time we see her around for a bit, because she'll be leaving in an ambulance.
In other words, Athena - I'm going to break your fucking arm!
Renee Young: Wow, that's quite the threat. You're going to make headlines with that one.
Ronda Rousey: I make headlines every time I open my mouth or go toe-to-toe with anyone... and the headlines often look the same, "Rousey wins again!" Come Hell Hath No Fury, I'm leaving as the Knockout's Champion and that's a promise.
Renee Young: So, you're saying that no matter whose path you cross at Hell Hath No Fury, you're walking out with the championship?
Ronda Rousey: Sometimes I wonder where they find you people... I mean, come on, I literally just said that! After I defeat Star, one look at the remainder of the bracket suggests that it will only get easier for me as the night progresses.
Renee Young: In a tournament that's filled with a mixture of old talent and debuting superstars, such as the boss's daughter Megan Mouse, there's honestly no one who concerns you? How can you even prepare for those like Mouse, or Naomi, Charlotte Flair or Nikki Bella when you've never seen them in action?
Ronda Rousey: You clearly don't get it. It doesn't matter who I come across, starting with Star. After I break her arm, I'm going to win the EWA Knockout's Championship, and that's not a threat, it's a guarantee!
Renee Young: Well, I suppose there's no denying your confidence. I have one final question. If you could wrestle any woman on PWI's roster, who would it be and why?
Ronda Rousey: That's a no-brainer. I'd wrestle Amazon - hell, I'd destroy Amazon. I'd show Athena Star how it's done, and undoubtedly, I'd break her fucking arm too!
Renee Young: And there you have it, folks! Join me next time when I sit down with Miss Athena Star as the Knockout's Tournament Interview Series continues!