Tag: Stephanie McMahon

WOL Saturday: New court documents focus more on Vince McMahon’s alleged misconduct than valuation & revenue

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s the Saturday Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

Are Janel Grant and her accusations ultimately responsible for the TKO merger of Zuffa and WWE? That appears to be at the heart of the case made by the plaintiffs in the WWE shareholders’ lawsuit. Documents made public for the first time offer insight into events surrounding the merger and the opening arguments for attorneys representing WWE shareholders.

While the trial that was scheduled to start Monday is now off the calendar, thousands of pages of depositions, text conversations, and other documents unsealed before trial offer a window into how the deal allegedly came together.

On this episode, I will try to explain why the lawsuit is, or was, about more about behavior than numbers, stocks and balance sheets.

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Triple H, Stephanie McMahon said to be aware of WWE ad issues

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Whether WWE will change anything remains to be seen, but the promotion has been made directly aware of how much fans dislike the increase in advertisements during the TKO era.

Actor O’Shea Jackson Jr. — a WWE superfan and the son of rap icon Ice Cube — appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show today and revealed a conversation he had with Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Stephanie McMahon about the oversaturation of ads on WWE programming. The conversation took place around the start of 2026, so there have not been any changes yet, but Levesque and McMahon didn’t push back on what Jackson was saying. He was told that WWE is working on potentially having better placement for the ads.

“I told this to Triple H and Stephanie when I did Stephanie’s show,” Jackson said. “I told them, the ads and the timing of them are horrendous. This was like five, six months ago or something crazy like that when I went to do Stephanie McMahon’s pod. Afterwards, because I did it at WWE headquarters, Triple H comes down, we’re all talking, and I brought up my transgressions. And I was like, ‘Dude, the ads are crazy. Like, it’s almost unwatchable.’ And, like, they know. It’s just about, they’re working on placement of them maybe.

“I get it, Roman Reigns’ entrance is seven minutes long, but that doesn’t mean that’s the time to throw the ads in. I should not — there should never be a moment where I miss IYO SKY’s entrance because ‘we are back from commercial break.’ It’s a level of respect for them. It’s fine in the middle of a match, but at least picture-in-picture me.”

Fan complaints about the ads peaked during WrestleMania 42. WWE touted that it set a new record with 32 marketing partners for the event, including Snickers, 2K, Riyadh Season, Ram, DoorDash, Wingstop, Wheatley American Vodka, Minute Maid, The General Insurance, MUG Root Beer, and Chumba Casino.

McMahon’s podcast episode with Jackson was released in January 2026. He co-hosts his own podcast “No-Contest Wrestling” that is produced by ESPN/The Rich Eisen Show.

Shawn Michaels addresses challenges of preparing NXT talents for main roster

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Shawn Michaels discussed the challenges working with NXT talents and getting them main roster ready within a specified period.

Speaking on What’s Your Story with Stephanie McMahon, Michaels talked about the transition from wrestling to coaching the next wave of WWE talents at NXT. 

“Well, so it was obviously it’s you’ve got the the teaching of the business and wrestling and coaching and you know, again, from basics to intermediate to advanced, you know, very structured from a coaching teaching aspect. But the biggest, the part that moved me the most, is the idea that it doesn’t have to be the over the top kind of tough love that we all got. Now, on one hand, I recognize that there are going to be people that are going to say that the way we got brought up was whatever.”

Michaels also addressed the challenges in moulding NXT talents to be ready for the main roster and key points discussed in his documentary. 

“It’s very challenging and look, and that’s one of the things I can remember being asked like ‘how long do you think it takes to get one of these athletes that doesn’t know anything to get them totally ready for the main roster?’ And I said honestly, to get them ready to what I think is adequate to be ready for a main roster guy, he said. And they said really, you can’t get done faster than that. And I was like, well, we, I mean, I guess we can. But if not, not to get them to where I think they need to be simply because of that, because we don’t have the opportunity there. We have people that, you know, I was, in the hundreds of matches in probably three months.”

Michaels is the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative for NXT. He got involved in backstage roles for the brand in 2021 and has been pivotal in creating the future stars of WWE. 

Paige and Stephanie McMahon are all praise for Danhausen

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE veterans Paige and Stephanie McMahon are all praise for Danhausen.

Recently returned at WWE WrestleMania 42, Paige followed it up by appearing on What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon. Both women soon engaged in a discussion regarding their lives before arriving at the topic of Danhausen.

Danhausen was revealed as WWE’s latest addition at the 2026 Elimination Chamber PLE and has since then become a regular act on weekly WWE TV.

“I love that you brought Danhausen here,” Paige said. “I’m glad that the fans came around really quickly.” Stephanie McMahon followed up and added, “I think they just didn’t know, at first, or why we were doing it… Because he’s really good, and he’s got this crazy charisma.”

“And only he can pull that kind of character off, too,” Paige said. To which McMahon responded, “That’s what I mean… and then, to see him work, he was pretty good.”

Praising Danhausen’s wrestling skills, the British wrestler also claimed, “He’s a great worker too. They’ll see eventually when he starts wrestling some more, but yeah, I love that the fans came around and they love him and stuff because I was like, ‘He’s such a good dude. I love that guy.’”

Danhausen reacts to Paige and Stephanie McMahon’s praise

Danhausen quickly took notice of Paige and McMahon’s praise and quickly reacted to it on social media.

“Danhausen loves [Stephanie McMahon] and [Saraya]. Thank you for your very nice, very evil words. Let Danhausen know if you ever need anyone cursed!”

Paige wants to make up for lost time in WWE: ‘Don’t think I’m going to be wrestling after this run’

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Paige aims to make up for lost time in her current WWE run, and hopes to compete in Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches, and milestones in the women’s division she missed due to early retirement. 

Speaking with Stephanie McMahon on the What’s Your Story? Podcast Paige expressed that she returned with the mindset to participate in stipulation and marquee matches that did not exist for the women’s division in her WWE tenure earlier. She acknowledged that this current comeback could potentially be her final run in wrestling. 

“I came in this time with a mindset where I just want to be happy and have fun, because I don’t think I’m going to be wrestling after this run. I want to just enjoy my time that I have here, embrace absolutely everything, just enjoy the journey.”

“That’s all I care about. But I do want to finally be able to be in the Royal Rumble that I got to not be a part of and do the Elimination Chambers and do, you know, all these stipulation matches that were not around.”

“I had to be backstage in Gorilla when the Royal Rumble just started, and no one knew I was retired by that point, you know? And so I just sat there and I was just really sad. It was bittersweet. I was happy that the girls finally got this big match that we didn’t have before. But I was sad because I wasn’t a part of it, and I didn’t know if I was ever going to be a part of it again. And so to have this moment where I’m back in WWE, my neck is good, I’m wrestling again, and there’s opportunities for me to be a part of these stipulation matches. I mean, man, I’m really excited. I’m really excited for the next couple of years.” 

Paige returned at WrestleMania 42 nearly four years after her WWE exit. She replaced Nikki Bella to compete in the Women’s Tag Team Championship match which she and Brie Bella won. 

Paige was a part of the WWE women’s revolution in 2015. Two years later, she suffered a neck injury that forced her to retire from in-ring competition. At AEW Full Gear 2022, she faced Britt Baker for the first time in five years after being medically cleared. 

Stephanie McMahon says McMahons ‘were never supposed to be’ in WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

When she was growing up in the business, Stephanie McMahon was taught that McMahon family members should not be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

McMahon joined the WWE Hall of Fame when she was inducted last Friday during WrestleMania 42 weekend. Aside from her husband Paul “Triple H” Levesque, she is only the second member of the McMahon family to be inducted, joining her grandfather Vincent J. McMahon who was posthumously honored in 1996.

On a new episode of “What’s Your Story?,” Paige praised McMahon’s induction and asked why it took so long for this to happen.

“Well, the McMahons were never supposed to be in the Hall of Fame, as I was always brought up,” McMahon responded. “You know, we were characters that were intentionally designed to get other talent over. So it was never about us. And that’s just sort of like ingrained in my brain.”

Paige called McMahon an inspirational figure and thanked her for how she’s always helped female talent.

“You’ve done so much in your career. Like, you’re very inspiring for women and anyone that’s worked, any woman or man, but just speaking from a woman’s perspective here, any woman that’s worked with you have only ever said positive things,” Paige said. “You’re very inspirational for a boss. You are so caring, empathetic, you’re understanding, and you stick up for us as women too. You’re an advocate for us and you’ve always been like that and I always appreciated that about you.”

McMahon’s three daughters, along with her mother Linda, helped induct her into the Hall of Fame. Her father Vince has been gone from the company since January 2024, when he resigned in the wake of Janel Grant’s sexual abuse lawsuit against him and WWE.

Linda McMahon & Stephanie McMahon’s daughters induct her into the WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Stephanie McMahon has officially been inducted into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame.

The April 17th edition of WWE Hall of Fame began with Stephanie McMahon’s induction. She was inducted into the ceremony by her mother, Linda McMahon, and her three daughters,  Aurora, Murphy, and Vaughn.

The induction began with her three daughters dedicating an emotional speech for their mother, before Linda McMahon reflected on Stephanie’s childhood and her entry into the business. She also recalled childhood memories of Stephanie and Shane McMahon.

Linda McMahon has stayed out of the wrestling spotlight for several years now. She is currently busy with her political career and serves as the United States Secretary of Education. She is also part of a sexual abuse lawsuit against her, Vince McMahon, TKO, and WWE, filed by former “Ring Boys.”

In her induction speech, Stephanie McMahon shared her gratitude to her mother, brother, and father, Vince McMahon. She heaped praise on her mother and father, Vince’s contribution to WWE’s growth. This was soon followed by loud “Thank you, Vince!” chants. Vince McMahon is currently also a part of the Janel Grant sexual trafficking lawsuit.

Stephanie McMahon credits Ronda Rousey for making only WWE WrestleMania match happen

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If it wasn’t for Ronda Rousey, Stephanie McMahon probably never would have wrestled at WWE WrestleMania.

The only time McMahon actually competed in the ring at WrestleMania was when she and Triple H teamed up against Rousey & Kurt Angle in 2018. Ahead of her upcoming WWE Hall of Fame induction, McMahon discussed her career on “What’s Your Story?” and looked back at that match.

McMahon noted that she’s always been a Rousey fan, seeing how strong she is while still having “broken pieces” from all she’s gone through in life. It was Rousey who requested the WrestleMania 34 match as a way to follow up on the confrontation they had at WrestleMania 31 three years prior.

“I was a big fan of Ronda, always have been. I used to love to watch her fight,” McMahon said. “I read her book and it made a big impact on me, what she’s lived through. You know, her dad committed suicide when she was young. She didn’t speak her first words until she was like four…

“My heart just always is with her because she’s so strong in many, many ways, you know, mentally and physically. And then also, I think she has broken pieces too, as we all do, right? So I’m a big fan of hers, and she was the one who requested the match. It was like a couple of years later, originally she was going to come in sooner, but then there was a movie or I don’t know, something happened. And then you sign her and Ronda was the one who said, ‘We need to finish the story with Steph.’ So she’s the reason I ever had a WrestleMania match.”

McMahon said Dakota Kai, Lacey Evans, and NXT coach Sara Amato were among the people who helped prepare them for the bout. It ended up being “safe but stiff” with Rousey & Angle getting the win.

This match was Rousey’s pro wrestling debut. She went on to have two separate stints with WWE before finishing up with the company in August 2023.

Rousey is now returning to MMA for a Netflix fight against Gina Carano next month. To help promote that, she made a one-off appearance for AEW at Revolution 2026.

Stephanie McMahon: WWE Hall of Fame induction is ‘biggest thing ever in my career’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has defined so much of Stephanie McMahon’s life — and she’s grateful to be taking her place in the company’s Hall of Fame.

A new episode of McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast debuted today with her husband Paul “Triple H” Levesque interviewing her about her upcoming Hall of Fame induction. He asked McMahon how it feels to be going into the Hall of Fame.

“My God, it feels — it’s such an honor,” she responded. “And I’m so grateful. It’s the biggest, I never, ever imagined it. And it’s just the biggest thing ever in my career. And, you know, I’m really proud.”

Levesque feels McMahon is one of the most deserving people who could ever join the Hall of Fame. But when she was surprised with the news, Levesque could tell that McMahon couldn’t understand why she was being inducted. McMahon addressed whether she’s come to accept that she’s worthy.

“Well, I don’t know that worthy is a word I would use. But like I definitely am accepting and I’m in such a great place and I’m so excited and I’m just so grateful,” she said. “You know, that’s the thing. It’s like, no matter what happens in WWE moving forward, this has been my life. And I’m so grateful to have had this remarkable, incredible life surrounded by these characters and people who are probably the most honest sort of truthful versions of themselves, right? Because when you’re on the road with people and I don’t know, I love our community.”

McMahon said she’s gone through several iterations of the draft for her speech and has written it in pieces, remembering new things throughout the process. People within WWE have told McMahon that they were struggling to put together the video package for her induction because it has to encapsulate nearly 50 years of history into such a short video.

For McMahon, WWE is the only place she’s ever wanted to work, calling it the “best business in the world.” She loves that she’s gotten to do so many things over the years both on-screen and behind the scenes.

“So to have had all of this, you know, this is my world,” McMahon said. “WWE is my actual world and always has been.”

Levesque became emotional toward the end of the podcast while discussing how deserving McMahon is of her induction. He credited McMahon for making WWE a family instead of a cutthroat, Wild West-type business.

“There’s very few people that I could look at and say deserve it more. Like, truly. I don’t say that because you’re my wife. I don’t say that because it’s you. I say that because of your accomplishments and what we’ve done and, you know, the things you’ve accomplished and especially the stuff that you’ve accomplished that people don’t even see,” he said.

“People come along and participate in the business. People come along and add to the business. Very few people change the business… You put the culture in what we do. It didn’t exist before that. It was just the f***ing Wild West. It’s just what the business was. And then you came in and sort of changed it.”

The 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is taking place in Las Vegas at midnight Eastern/9 p.m. Pacific this Friday night, streaming live on the ESPN app in the United States and on YouTube internationally.

2026 WWE Hall of Fame class —

  • Stephanie McMahon
  • AJ Styles
  • Demolition (Ax & Smash)
  • Dennis Rodman
  • Sid Vicious (posthumously being inducted as a Legacy Award winner)
  • Bad News Brown (posthumously being inducted as a Legacy Award winner)
  • WWE Immortal Moment Award: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III

Triple H: Stephanie McMahon’s impact on WWE is ‘second to none’

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Triple H discussed Stephanie McMahon’s impact on the women’s division and fans ahead of her Hall of Fame induction this weekend. 

Joe Tessitore interviewed Triple H to discuss the road to WrestleMania. From talking about the stacked match card, competitors, rising up and comers in WWE’s roster, Triple H discussed an array of themes relevant to the Premium Live Event. He emphasized McMahon’s influence ahead of her Hall of Fame induction this year. 

“Yeah, it’s so hard to even put in words because also Steph sometimes looks at herself as this inconsequential piece of the business. Yet I believe one of the most influential characters, especially on the women’s side, all the time when we’re out, people come up to Steph and talk about ‘when you were one of the only powerful women characters, female characters on TV at that time. And when I was 10 or I was 12 years old, man, I wanted to be you. I wanted to be that powerful woman in business, the powerful woman that, physically wasn’t intimidated all.’”

He addressed the impact she had on fans and the industry without her realizing it and everybody backstage in WWE says she’s the ‘heart and soul’ of the company. 

“These things, but forget how impactful that character was and what a big factor it was in the business. And that’s on camera. Behind the scenes to this day and she hasn’t been around for a few years, but to this day, if you walk through here and you bring up her name to anybody, either in this place or the crew, they will say ‘heart and soul’ of the company. Heart and soul of the company. She knew everybody that worked here. I can’t remember names to save my life. Steph knew everybody’s name. Steph knew their families, knew their kids’ names. We would laugh all the time because it would take us 45 minutes to leave the building as we were trying to get out of there when the show would be over ’cause Steph was stopping and saying goodbye to everybody along the way where we’d be like, ‘we’re gonna see him tomorrow at TV. Can we go and get in the car?’ It’s just who she is and her impact on this business is second to none. And I mean that, second to no one. So whether fans fully understand that or not, that it’s hard for me to think of many people that deserve Hall of Fame as much as she does and she doesn’t think she deserves it.”

McMahon was the first inductee announced for the Hall of Fame in September 2025. The ceremony will take place on April 17 at Dolby Live at Park MGM. In addition to McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition (Ax & Smash), Dennis Rodman, Sid Vicious and Bad News Brown will be honored. Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant’s WrestleMania III match will also be honored as the Immortal Moment. 

WrestleMania 42 will emanate from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18 and April 19, 2026. 

Logan Paul describes ‘brilliance’ of former WWE boss Vince McMahon

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Logan Paul didn’t shy away from talking about Vince McMahon while appearing on a new episode of WWE’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast.

The podcast episode debuted on Thursday with Stephanie McMahon interviewing Paul about his transition from social media influencer to WWE wrestler. Paul shared that one of the biggest lessons he learned from Vince was that the product and entertaining people should always come first.

“You know what I learned from that, and your dad just in general — it’s all about the show,” Paul said. “It’s all about the product. He built something that he would have died for. Like, actually. Like, it was all about entertaining people. I have so much just respect for that.”

Paul noted that, in their first discussion about Paul joining WWE, he wasn’t sure if Vince fully understood everything he was talking about in regards to social media and going viral. Stephanie recalled that, when WWE was first integrating social media into its product, Vince grasped how important it would be even if he didn’t fully understood the concept itself.

“That’s the brilliance of Vince McMahon,” Paul said. “We’ve seen that over the years. It’s like, you have this ability to adapt, even if you aren’t entirely sure what’s going on. You rely on people who are experts in a craft. And the WWE and Vince trusted me. I was the last person Vince ever signed, which I thought was really cool.”

Vince McMahon resigned from WWE in January 2024 following the lawsuit that was filed against him and the company by former employee Janel Grant. The still-ongoing suit accuses Vince of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking.

On Raw this week, CM Punk referenced Vince but did not mention him by name, calling him a “weird old man” who once made Roman Reigns eat dog food on SmackDown in 2019.

Stephanie McMahon makes surprise WWE Raw appearance

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Stephanie McMahon gave Cody Rhodes some tough love ahead of WrestleMania 42.

McMahon made a rare televised appearance on Raw during tonight’s show at MSG and confronted Rhodes about his upcoming title match against Randy Orton. She gave the WWE Champion some words to think about, telling him he needed to think like Orton in order to defeat him.

During her promo, McMahon said she and Rhodes were alike, growing up in the business, and while he thinks he can bring out the best version of people, Rhodes can’t with this version of Randy Orton. She said that Rhodes to think like Orton in order to succeed at WrestleMania, saying Rhodes’ father Dusty knew that better than anybody, but Cody is not his father.

Rhodes said he knows what Orton was capable of, noting he’s done terrible things to people and knew some if it was to Stephanie herself. He said he was not the student in this situation and Orton is not the teacher, and knew he was not his father.

“With all due respect, you’re not yours either,” Rhodes retorted, causing McMahon to respond with a slap.

McMahon said she was trying to help Rhodes and wasn’t recognizing what Orton is capable of. McMahon said that Orton wasn’t just hearing the voices in his head, he’s beckoning them and is listening to someone else as well. She declared that unless he can think like Orton, he’ll lose the title.

Rhodes closed the promo by saying two words to McMahon….”thank you.”

Netflix executive teases more WWE crossovers

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Netflix executive Bela Bajaria is excited to work with WWE on more cross-promotional opportunities.

On a new episode of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast, Bajaria discussed the WWE-Netflix relationship and how much she’s enjoyed collaborating with WWE’s talent. That’s included Seth Rollins appearing as a pundit on some of Netflix’s event coverage and WWE stars being brought to MLB’s opening night.

Bajaria, who is Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, teased that there are more crossovers like this to come, pointing to Raw’s “Stranger Things Night” as another successful collaboration.

“The WWE partnership has been incredible,” she said. “And I think what you all have created there, too, which I see when we work with your talent — when Seth comes to our events, or John Cena is in a movie, they really have this, like, community connection. They care so much. They’re so positive, and they [have] this work ethic, and they have this real joy that they bring to fans and audiences. So what I love is they’re so good at that.

“So when they come to our events, they just are like, ‘We want to make everybody feel [good].’ I go, ‘You’re all so good at this.’ But really, the partnership, again, just wanting to like, continue with this, having the storytelling that touches people and then surprises them and takes them on a journey is — you all do it so incredibly well.

“So I think it has been such a great partnership. And I’m excited for, like, more things. You know, ‘Stranger Things’ was this year, but there’s more things to continue to do together.”

McMahon added that she believes some of WWE’s talent can be used to help promote Netflix overseas.

“Especially internationally, too,” McMahon said. “And so many of our talent are native to other countries as well. As you’re building, there’s so much opportunity.”

Netflix became the broadcast home of WWE Raw in January 2025, with the WWE PLE library now also available on the streaming platform. Outside of the United States, Netflix offers a wider array of WWE programming including live PLEs.

It was announced today that Netflix will also carry the upcoming “Kill Tony: WrestleMania” comedy special. Hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe, it’s taking place in Las Vegas on April 18 and will be available to watch on Netflix starting on April 20.

Stephanie McMahon discusses WWE Unreal docuseries

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Stephanie McMahon discussed WWE’s Unreal docuseries while interviewing Oba Femi on her What’s Your Story Podcast.

During the interview, McMahon talked about growing up in the business and witnessing its evolution. She also discussed the Unreal docuseries, saying it does not give away the magic of the industry but instead shares it with audiences.

“I literally grew up in this business and thinking about all of the generations of people that I’ve known and learnt from, and how things have evolved, and how things have changed. And yet some things still stay exactly the same,” said McMahon.  And that’s the thing is I never, I think Unreal, I like Unreal. I don’t think it gives away the magic, I really don’t, because the magic is the magic. The magic is a feeling, and the magic is the feeling you create and that you share, that you share with the audience, that you share with everyone whose in the ring with you.”

“It’s like this kinetic energy, and you can’t give that away, because it’s not anything to give away, it’s something you experience. So, I tend to agree, I think times are evolving again and it’s an exciting time, it’s a really exciting time to be a part of the world.”

Femi agreed and expressed how the stars watch matches from backstage and are still blown away with ‘magic’ of wrestling. 

“I agree, I’m with you. Even the boys, when they watch the matches  backstage. They’re backstage and they still go like “Wow! That was awesome”. They know how the magic is done and they’re still blown away.”

The Netflix docuseries first aired in July 2025, taking audiences backstage and giving a glimpse of behind-the-scenes preparations that go on before any WWE show – from creative discussions, rivalries, matches and production. 

The second season focused on SummerSlam 2025 planning. It also gave insight into Seth Rollins’ faked knee injury to get revenge on CM Punk at SummerSlam. The third season of the docuseries is slated for release in the summer of 2026.

Meanwhile, Femi made his official main roster debut at the Royal Rumble this year. The following weeks, he showed up on Raw and SmackDown to prove his in-ring strength. On the March 16 edition of Raw, Femi powerbombed Brock Lesnar and pointed to the WrestleMania 42 sign, indicating that he was responding to the open challenge issued in February. This will be his first WrestleMania bout. 

Additionally, McMahon will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year.

Candice Michelle reflects on scary WWE broken collarbone injury

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

On the latest edition of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Candice Michelle reflected on the scary fall that led to her broken collarbone during a match against Beth Phoenix on WWE Raw in 2007. She also revealed how John Cena and Randy Orton have shaped her view of the industry.

Michelle echoed Cena’s words on the brutal honesty of the business and admitted her instinct was always to rush back to the ring instead of focusing on healing. That perspective changed when she later viewed how Orton would use injuries as a time to recharge his batteries while out of action.

“[Cena] said the business goes on with or without you and I remember, going through that injury, and when wrestlers get injured, and when I was injured, I was doing everything to get back as fast as I could,” she said. “And actually, I learned after the fact, a little too late. I think Randy Orton has mastered that, because he went through a lot of injuries, but when he went on injury, and I don’t know this, it’s just how I see him, it’s like, he’s gonna go take his break, he’s gonna go heal up until he’s fully healed, have some time with his family, and come back when he’s ready.” 

Michelle was asked about her Women’s Championship match against Beth Phoenix on an October 2007 edition of Raw. An accident led to the bout being cut short when Michelle took a fall from the top rope.

“Well, we were overseas, and we were putting together this match, and this is when Arn Anderson and Ricky Steamboat started to really train me. So, you see how really towards the end of my wrestling career is when I really felt like I was getting the knowledge,” she said. “It was the first time I understood that there’s a philosophy to the match. I literally had no idea. I was never taught it or anything. And there was something in me and Beth that resonated with Ricky and Arn Anderson, and they really stepped up to the plate, and they said, ‘This is how you got to start working this.’ And the fans were really getting behind us.

“And overseas, we’re having these great matches, and we had this move where I was going to — it was supposed to be, how you open your legs on the top rope and fall in. Just, I’m not that flexible, like I think about it to this day, I just saw somebody in TNA do this move, and I was like, yep, that’s not for me, right? So, I was like, I’ll do my knees instead. That seems a little less flexible.”

Michelle added how the pre-planned move went awry and led to a scary situation. In addition to the broken collarbone, she suffered a “massive” concussion.

“And overseas, I did it one time, and I came back and all the boys were worried because I landed on my neck. I didn’t feel it. It didn’t phase me. I was not injured. I wasn’t hurt, and so I didn’t really think much of it. But we’re on like a 7-10 day tour over there, not much sleep. We fly back to Nebraska. We’re going to kind of do this match again, and my boot catches that rope, and I wasn’t allocated that little extra space, and I landed on my head,” Michelle said.

“I was knocked out. I don’t remember it. The first thing I remember is being on the stretcher, and Stephanie McMahon was leaning over me, and they’re going into Gorilla, and she goes, ‘Don’t worry, we’re flying your husband out.’ I was like, they don’t fly your husband out. So, instantly I was worried. I had a massive concussion, and I broke my collarbone, so I just had one break in it, and flew home and started the rehab journey for that.

“And the hard part is, you know, it came at a time where we weren’t really educated with that kind of injury, and so being dragged to the center of the ring after that happened, if that was my neck, it would have paralyzed me.”

Michelle also went into detail about the rehab and recovery journey. After the incident, she returned in January 2008. However, a few months later she re-broke her collarbone in a tag team match with Maria Kanellis against Jillian Hall & Victoria. That required subsequent surgery forcing her to be out of in-ring competition again for most of that year.

It was recently announced that Michelle has returned to pro wrestling in a backstage capacity, signing a contract with TNA Wrestling for the new role.