For Blake Monroe, joining WWE was a chance to start a new chapter and find a new challenge in her career.
The former Mariah May was one of the top stars in the AEW women’s division before departing the company earlier this year. She made her NXT debut in June, taking on a new name but keeping “The Glamour” as her persona. She is currently feuding with NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca on the brand.
During an appearance on Busted Open Radio After Dark, Monroe detailed why she chose to depart AEW when her contract was up. She loved her iconic feud with Toni Storm in the promotion, but she felt like it was the right time to experience something new.
“I mean, I had a fantastic experience and I did things I’m so proud of and cherish,” Monroe said about her time in AEW. “And when — I had a really short contract — and when it came to an end, you know, there were positives and negatives. But it got to a point with wrestling where, you know, I did have an amazing story, but that was the one thing I had. I didn’t have much else.
“And I just thought, ‘Is this everything I want?’ I also considered going to Japan, which I feel like nobody knows. And it’s something I talked to them about. And then when my deal was up, I just — people were like, ‘Just talk to WWE and just see.’ Because I wasn’t considering it, and that’s not an insult to WWE. It’s incredible. I just didn’t — I always just try to focus on one thing at a time [in] wrestling. So it’s like, I hadn’t considered it. And when I talked to them and they cared so much about ‘The Glamour’ and so much about all these different things, I was like, ‘Okay, now I do have a big choice to make.'”
It was a tough decision, but the WWE/NXT women’s division was ultimately where Monroe wanted to be.
“I really sat and thought about it. And it was a really, really tough decision,” she said. “But it just came down to — I did everything I needed to do. I feel like I told a great story. I feel like I made people feel something. And it’s time to close that chapter. And it’s time to start a new one — and like getting a new name and a whole new experience. And like I said, there are so many women here. Like, women’s wrestling is very important in WWE. And that’s something, as a woman, I want to be a part of. And just like I said, all these different matches and possibilities for me, it just was a great deal. And it was just a challenge. I want a challenge.”
Changing her name was something that Monroe was fully on board with. She is excited to start something new in WWE and turn this persona into a megastar.
“No, because if you’re familiar with my prior name, I feel like it was the end to a story — and I cherish that,” Monroe responded when asked if she would have liked to keep her old name. “I feel like it was kind of cool that [Mariah May] died almost and that’s done.
“And also, I can’t turn back time so I never really think about it, but Mariah is my real name and I wish I never used it in wrestling, because it’s weird. But I did it and I can’t change it. But just the chance to start something new, and I feel like with WWE, it’s like, ‘Hey, we’re going to make this new thing and we’re going to make it a megastar.’ And I feel like week-by-week we do that. And, yeah, I love it.”
The name “Blake Monroe” is a tribute to Monroe’s niece whose first name is Blake.
Now a few months into her NXT run, Monroe feels like she’s getting more comfortable and finding her footing. Being in WWE was a childhood dream for her. She has goals like winning championships, but the main thing she wants to accomplish is making the fans feel something with her performances.
Monroe listed Ruca and Tatum Paxley as two of the opponents she’s excited to face in NXT. When she eventually gets to the main roster, Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan are some of the people Monroe hopes to work with.
