“Nia Jax joins Dave LaGreca & Mark Henry on the phone to discuss Ronda Rousey’s WWE debut, what it means to be a body positive role model, what got her into the business & more!”

Not only does Raw celebrate it’s 25th anniversary later this month, where the women that paved the way for the current roster are set to appear, but January also marks a landmark moment for the females of WWE with the first ever all-women Royal Rumble match.

 The annual WWE event will see thirty of WWE’s past and present compete in an over-the-top-rope battle royal, with the winner earning a title shot at this year’s WrestleMania. Already installed as one of the favourites for the match is Nia Jax, WWE’s wrecking ball with a million dollar smile.

Ahead of what is to set to a memorable month for the 33 year-old cousin of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, we jumped on a call with the Raw superstar to chat about what a huge year it will be for her and the women of WWE.

Nia, thanks for speaking to us. We’re now just weeks away from the first ever women’s Royal Rumble event. How excited are you to be part of this historic moment?

“It’s so cool we get to do this. We get to show everyone how much talent we have, and show young girls that they can do whatever they want to do – even when everyone says you can’t. They are looking up to us and I want them to realize they shouldn’t have boundaries. It shouldn’t be that they can’t do that because that’s what guys do, no, you should be able to do what you want or whatever you put your mind to. I’m really excited for the women’s Royal Rumble.”

Given the size advantage you have over the majority of the field, you’ve rightfully been installed as one of the favourites, even Raw General Manager Kurt Angle is tipping you as a likely winner. Does that put pressure on you?

“That’s awesome that Kurt is realizing my talent and appreciating it. I am the most dominant women in this company, but at the end of the day it won’t be just one woman I have to go through it’s the entire division plus whoever else gets to come. I’m up for the challenge and I believe I’ll be the last one standing at the end of the first ever women’s Royal Rumble.”

One of the highlights of a Rumble match is the likelihood of surprise entrants. We’ve heard a number of rumours on names who could be returning, but who would you like to see in the match?

“There’s so many, but the one I’d like to see and who I’d like to go up against is Beth Phoenix. I would love for her to return because growing up she was the most dominant women in WWE and I would really love for her to show up and be able to get in the ring with her.”

That’s a clash we’d love to see too. There’s also the name of Ronda Rousey being heavily suggested to make an appearance. Is that something you would welcome in WWE?

“Ronda started a women’s revolution outside of WWE, by becoming the first women to main event UFC, which was huge. Her coming over and showing her talent in WWE, maybe showing us how to do a few different things, it would be amazing and I’d be all for it. I’m not sure she’s faced anything like our girls, as they are extremely athletic and I think it would be an awakening for her as well.”

Before the Rumble, there’s also the small matter of Raw’s 25th anniversary show. How much are you looking forward to being part of that landmark show, and what can we expect?

“It’s going to be a crazy entertaining night, I wish I could tell you what I know, but you need to tune in to find out. I’m looking forward to seeing all the old veterans and the Hall of Famers to celebrate Raw 25. Twenty-five years is such a huge marker in history and it be cool to see Lita, Trish Stratus, Beth Phoenix, Alundra Blayze and Bull Makano as women who could show up. You never know who might turn up.”

Have you a favourite moment from Raw’s 25 years?

“It’s got to be Mick Foley and The Rock This is Your Life segment. I guess I’m biased because of who was in it, but that’s easily my favourite.”

Seeing as you’ve mentioned The Rock, you obviously come from a huge wrestling background. What are your earliest memories of being involved with the industry?

“I grew up watching with my brothers and watching my family member The Rock on TV. One of my earliest memories of wrestling was my Dad showing me a picture of Uncle Peter, Dwayne’s Grandfather, and he had a match, which was on the front over of this Hawaiian newspaper. I was growing up in Hawaii at the time and I looked at the picture and just started crying because he had been bleeding and had blood dripping all down his face, as well as holding up the title. So I asked my Dad if he was going to be ok and what had happened and he told me not to worry because he was wrestling. So that was how I was really first introduced to wrestling.”

Did it feel like it was something that you’d always going to go into yourself or was there a moment that it hit you and decided that the WWE path was for you?

“I think I first caught the bug after I went to WrestleMania 28 in Miami. I’d been to a couple of shows before that, but WrestleMania was phenomenal. It’s a whole different level of electricity and I just caught the bug there and then. I needed to be part of this.”

Then five years later you’re competing in your first WrestleMania. Would you say that’s the highlight of your career so far?

“The highlight of my career so far has to be WrestleMania. To be in that match with those incredible women and walking the long ramp down to the ring was amazing. It was insane, because I still felt like I was in my baby stage as I had only just really been called up to Raw. But to hear that many fans from all over the world cheer for me, I almost cried. I had all my friends and my aunts and uncle sitting in the front row too, so when I heard the cheers as well I literally had to bite my lip. 80,000 people cheering you, it was the coolest thing ever.”

Another one of those incredible women on the current roster is Alexa Bliss, who we’ve see across WWE programming is one of your best friends. How nice is it to have that close relationship with someone in this ever-changing business?

“Ever since I met her, it’s been something really natural and we’ve clicked as friends. It shows through on WWE where we together on Raw and through Total Divas, we are genuine best friends and we have so much fun together. She really is the Yin to my Yang, she always calms me down when I get a little be crazy and I pep her up when she needs that little bit of energy. We kind of balance each other out and I’m truly grateful to have a true best friend in this business. She is someone I trust completely and we know each so well we can read each other when we’re on screen together, whether it’s Raw or Total Divas. I have nothing but the best interests for her and she has nothing but the best interests for me and it’s really cool to have that.”

With Alexa the current Raw Women’s Champion, we may have to see that friendship tested on-screen if you were to challenge for that title. Could Team Rude survive such a predicament?

“I think it’s possible that we can still keep Team Rude together. At the end of the day, the championship is where we want to be in this division, and she understands that. I don’t want to be throwing her through the Barbershop Window, but if I have to I will. She’d smack me in the face with a barbwire bat if she could and it meant she could keep hold of her title. We understand that it’s all about the competition and the title, but we still have love for each other no matter what.”

We also saw you attack Asuka this past week on Raw. You had the chance to mix it up with towards the end of your run on NXT, but do you feel now you’re in the right position to be the women that ends her undefeated streak?

“She is undefeated and has the longest winning streak right now, but I’m very excited to lock horns with her. She is a force to be reckoned with, but although we had some matches down in NXT it’s a different ball game up here. I’m ready to take her one and show her what the true dominant woman in this company can do. The streak could end soon and I’ll be the one to do it.”

Away from the competition, we’ve got to see a different side to you recently during your angle with Ezno Amore. How nice has it been to explore a different side of Nia Jax?

“It’s great because nobodies really seen this side of Nia Jax; the vulnerable and mushy side of her, because she has a crush. We’re used to seeing her as the strong force, beating up all the girls but now you’re seeing this other side to her where it’s like oh she does have a vulnerable side to her. She’s smiling, she’s happy and she’s ditching her friend to go and get her man soup. It’s cool because it’s added more layers to the character. I’ve heard fans say that ‘Nia is boring’ and she’s this and that, but there’s a lot more to her and now everyone is getting the chance to see it. I feel like there are so many different sides to Nia and it’s awesome that this side is being well received. I’m having a blast, Enzo’s quite the character, but he’s a sweet guy and I’m really enjoying working with him. I’ve known him since NXT days and we’ve always got along; he’s always been nice and respectable to me and plus he’s hilarious. It’s easy for me to get on with him and enjoy working with him.”

Unfortunately Enzo hasn’t been chosen as your partner for WWE’s newest venture The Mixed Match Challenge. How are you feeling about being paired with Apollo Crews?

“I wasn’t too disappointed about Apollo Crews, it was more I was disappointed because of his whole entourage, Titus Worldwide. I was pitching to have Braun Strowman as my partner, so we could just decimate everybody, but that didn’t happen. I’m happy with Apollo because he’s a great talent, but I’m not happy to be aligned with Titus Worldwide and I am in no way part of it.”

Finally, with the first ever women’s The Royal Rumble the latest step in the WWE women’s revolution. What’s next for you and the women of WWE?

“The women’s evolution is getting better and better and showing the world what women can do. In the world today women are coming into their own and breaking down so many boundaries. Doing the first ever women’s Royal Rumble is breaking another boundary and proving to the world that we can do it all. Women are on their way to main event WrestleMania; I truly believe that will happen. That’s the next step for us.”

Credit: talkSport

On the occasion of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the WWE franchise show, Sport.es has been able to access an international press conference, where  WWE Superstar Nia Jax has answered questions from the media. Nia Jax, who debuted last year from NXT in the major leagues of the leading wrestling company, is one of the pillars in the Monday Night Raw women’s division. Below, we show you a summary of the most interesting statements of one of the most dominant competitors in the world of wrestling today.

As for how the next  female Royal Rumble  has benefited the women’s revolution, Jax said that “the evolution of women in professional wrestling is getting better and better.” We are showing the world what women are capable of. We women are doing all this on our own and breaking all the schemes and prejudices, we are showing the world that we can do everything. “

Speaking of the  25th anniversary of Monday Night Raw , Nia says she is very happy, “I’m definitely looking forward to meeting several Hall of Famers.” It will be a great moment in history, and I can not wait to see Trish Stratus, Beth Phoenix … Never You know who’s going to appear, but I’m sure it will be an incredible show. “

Raw General Manager Kurt Angle has repeatedly said that Nia Jax is his favorite to win the real female battle, and she thinks it is a smart move. “Kurt is an intelligent man, and I  ‘m the most dominant woman in the company, with all the women in the ring, I’m going to show everyone why I’m the most dominant force in WWE right now.”

Credit: Sports.es

In just a few weeks, Nia Jax will make history as she steps into the ring for the first ever WWE Women’s Royal Rumble. To promote the same, she was part of a special conference call with international media from across the globe.

I had a chance to ask her several questions that she answered at length. Considering that she came up through the NXT system, we asked her if there are any standouts in developmental that she has her eyes on.

The first name Jax mentioned was Aliyah, whom she considers a great talent with awesome personality. She went on to name the Aussie bombshells- The Iconic Duo.

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. They’re two amazing talents. I’ve had the honour to work with them. And Aliyah too, in NXT. So yeah, those three are my favourites in NXT.

I went on to ask her about being on the 7th season of Total Divas, and how difficult it was transitioning from being an in-ring performer to a reality star.

It’s not too difficult for me, because I don’t really change who I am on Total Divas. I’m literally myself.

Jax said unhesitantly that the only thing difficult about being on Total Divas was the gruelling schedule!

“The one thing that was difficult is that we’re on the road 300 days for WWE. And then adding a little more filming time for Total Divas…the schedule gets a little more difficult, you know.”

Nia Jax elaborated on the timetable that a top-level WWE Superstar has to follow:

“We’ve got to do Live Events, then we’ve got to go to RAW, then we’ve got to film Total Divas on our days off, then we’ve got to film other things with Total Divas on our days off, then we go straight back to Live Events and RAW. So the schedule’s pretty brutal but it’s well worth it.”

The hot topic of conversation is the 30-woman Women’s Royal Rumble. The fact of the matter is that there aren’t 30 women in the current roster! Considering that there’s been talk of former WWE superstars returning for the same, I asked Jax who she sees herself going up against, in this epic clash…

“Oh gosh, there are so many but the one that I want to see, that I would love to go up against is Beth Phoenix.”

Jax claimed that Phoenix was an inspiration for her growing up, considering how much of a dominant woman she was.

While Jax would be elated to see Phoenix return, I asked her why she seemed almost disappointed to see Apollo Crews as her partner in the MMC.

“(Chuckles) Well, I wasn’t too disappointed about Apollo Crews as much as I was disappointed about the whole entourage, Titus Worldwide. You know I was hoping Braun Strowman would be my partner. If that didn’t happen, I was okay with Apollo for sure. He’s definitely a great talent.”

So what was the problem then?

“I was not too happy with being part of Titus Worldwide. And I’m not a part of Titus Worldwide. Let’s get that clear!”

I move on to MMA superstar Shayna Baszler, who seems to have taken up the ‘powerhouse’ role once adopted by Nia Jax in NXT. Jax wasn’t too familiar with her work but seemed optimistic about working with her.

To conclude the interview, I asked her about Chris Jericho going to NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom to compete against Kenny Omega. Nia Jax had a really positive viewpoint about the same.

“Chris Jericho loves to put on a great show. So it’s great for him to go over to Japan and put on a great show with Kenny Omega. So I think it’s awesome. Good for him, you know. He just loves entertaining people and that’s exactly what he did!”

Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss recently spoken with Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy to discuss Total Divas, the Women’s Title, and Nia Jax absence from RAW! Read the interview below

Digital Spy asked WWE Superstars Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax if they thought Alison Brie and co could compete in the WWE.

Nia: “It’s funny, because everybody thinks they can do what we do. I welcome them to try.”

“They’ve got to do what everybody else does, because there’s a long list of people at NXT who are working their asses off every day that are trying to come take our position as well.”

Alexa added: “There are people that have been there for three or four years.

“If they can commit that time, let them go to NXT. Let them start from scratch and see if they wanna do it.”

Nia continued: “Let them learn the business and get the respect that everybody has to earn when they get into the business.”

That sounds like a challenge.

Alexa Bliss is the current WWE Raw Women’s Champion, and the only woman to have held both the Raw and SmackDown belts – twice each in fact.

We asked her how she’s managed such success in such a relatively short time, but Nia got in there first with the answer.

Nia: “She’s a devious bitch! A devious bitch.” “A cheater, that’s what she is, that’s why!”

Bliss didn’t disagree.

Alexa: “I’ll own it,” she said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win… I’ll cheat, I don’t care.

“You have to do what you’ve gotta do to win. There’s no fair in fighting, so I’ll do whatever it takes.

“Whether it’s cheating? Yeah, it’s frowned upon, but it doesn’t make you disqualified. Do I care about anyone frowning at me? No way, I don’t care.”

Despite powering her way through most of the NXT and Raw rosters, Nia Jax has always been half a step away from gold herself. We wanted to know why, but this time it was Alexa’s turn to interrupt.

Alexa: “She’s not going to,” she laughed.

Nia: “She’s devious! Right now I’m just trying to set a precedent for a woman, a bigger woman, curvier women.”

“I am athletic, I can move, I can do a lot of things, I can kick ass and take names.”

“Whenever I’m ready to go after this title in a serious match and this little bitch over here doesn’t try to sneak her way out of it, then I’ll get it.”

Devious or otherwise, Alexa Bliss will be repping Raw at Survivor Series in a Champion vs Champion match against Natalya and we asked how she would ensure she comes out on top.

Alexa: “Last year I was on the SmackDown side and we lost, and I remember the girls were just livid.”

“I know that they’re coming back with a vengeance and the SmackDown roster is really talented.

“The fact that I know that they’re gunning for Raw, that just makes it so much more important that we have to show that Raw is the superior brand.

“We’re the more dominant brand, and I can prove that by beating Natalya.”

Nia added: “Obviously I’m the most dominant woman in the WWE, and I’m on Team Raw, so that basically answers your question.”

Jax recently took a short time away from WWE TV, sparking hundreds of articles claiming that she’d stormed off, unhappy with her booking.

It was claimed that she’d lent on the shoulders of her cousin, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, to iron out her problems, a suggestion that more than annoys her.

Nia: “It was pretty funny.” “I got a little bit of a break. I was off for a live event for a couple of weeks.

“We had a tour coming up and I was just off, because we were cycling some girls on. I had mentioned that I wouldn’t mind a break to recoup, because I’d been tired.

“I got that from the office and it was easy, because I was ready to come on tour when I got back. I unplugged from social media just to really relax my mind and reset and I started getting messages from fellow co-workers asking me if I was okay.”

“The story just took on a life of its own and it was quite entertaining. The only one that really upset me the most was that they like to bring in my famous cousin of course. It bothers me when everybody tries to dirty or tarnish my family’s name, and it was a completely false article. I usually don’t pay attention to that kind of stuff – that was the only one that upset me.”

Alexa said: “The thing is, we all take breaks. It just became public knowledge, it just became something out of control.”

If you only watch WWE pay-per-views… and Raw, SmackDown, 205Live AND NXT, you may STILL be missing out on one of the best bits of WWE TV. Total Divas. Now in its seventh season, the E! reality show takes a look at the lives of the female WWE Superstars both in and outside of the square circle. Alongside Ms Money in the Bank Carmella, Bliss and Jax have joined this year’s run, and they say the difference between working in the ring and reality TV is night and day.

Alexa: “With NXT you have TV that you have once a month, and with Total Divas you have a camera in your face 24-7. You’re constantly miked up, you’ve got to be aware of that.”

Nia: “Plus in NXT you’re kind of coddled. You get a coach who takes care of you, you’ve got people who take care of you. With Total Divas you’re on your own!”

On the first episode of season seven, both women contributed to an absolutely classic moment: Maryse totally losing it when Nia asks if she’s ever been in a Gauntlet Match.

Throughout the ensuing barney, Alexa just looks on with a face pitched somewhere between concerned and utterly bewildered.

Alexa said: “First of all, Maryse came at Nia way hot – way too hot… I knew if I said anything I’d get my head bitten off by Maryse.

“And I know Nia can defend herself and put anyone in their place. So I was just standing there, waiting for it to end.”

Big Show is now happily taking on the role of mentoring the next generation of WWE Superstars. One of his latest projects is helping take the dominant Nia Jax to the next level. Big Show said, “It is a testament to Sasha’s ability and a testament to Nia Jax as well. I’ve been trying to help Nia a little bit on the side.” WWE’s largest athlete sees the unlimited amount of potential in Jax and her hard-hitting style. “I want to make her understand what the business is about and what her role in it is. Those two on Raw put on one heck of an amazing competition. For me, at 45 years old and being a 23-year veteran, I got lost in the match,” Big Show gleefully said. He continued, “I got to be a fan while watching it. I was hollering up and down in the gorilla position. Seeing all those counters…it was such a great and competitive well-done match.”

Credit: Still Real To Us

Nia Jax spoke to Metro Sport about a number of topics, including her Women’s Championship aims, being body-positive and who is going to win Games of Thrones…

Hi Nia, where in the world are you right now?

“Let’s set the scene… I am currently sitting backstage finishing getting my hair done and getting ready to start the show tonight.”

How much preparation does it take to get ready for a show?

“I really take pride in doing my own make-up all the time which takes me about 40 minutes, and my hair takes another 15 to 20 minutes. Putting on my gear is probably another 15 minutes, so all in all I don’t think an hour and a half is too bad!”

You’re now a featured talent on Raw alongside Alexa Bliss. What’s life like on the main roster?

“Right now I’m honoured to be where I am so short into my WWE career. I know that being so different does award me some things that I’m getting, but I’m grateful.”

“Alexa and I have been best friends since I tried out in NXT, she was one of the first people to help me and ever since we’ve been close. We call ourselves Team Rude because we’re super goofy, and that’s literally one of the words that you’ll hear out of our mouths when we’re talking.

Hopefully I can continue bringing new things to the table and staying on top.”

How cool is it to you that a lot of men seem to be enjoying what you and Alexa are doing on TV?

“It’s funny because I always say to Alexa that we’ll go to an arena and out of the 30 shirts I see in front of me, there’s probably 20 men wearing her Little Miss Alexa shirt. It’s great to see men enjoying seeing females wrestler, and the entertainment that we’re providing.”

Your off-screen personality is very different to the character you portray on screen. How difficult is it to turn that physical and villainous side on?

“I feel that everybody has a little bit of sass, attitude and badassery in them so it’s not very hard! I’ve been in situations where people have irritated me and I’ve had to take care of business so I know how to handle that when I’m in the ring, and channel that towards the women who are there with me.”

 You’re very keen to speak out and promote self love and body positivity. What advice can you give anyone struggling with their self worth?

“The advice I have always taken from my mom is that beauty does not come from the out, it comes from within. My mom has always told me that no matter how beautiful you are on the outside, if you have an ugly personality and aren’t a good person at heart, then that does nothing for you.”

“Loving yourself and being happy and positive, that’s where true beauty comes from. I get styled and have pounds of make-up put on which is cool and all, but if I walk out with a bad attitude and have crappy negative ways, then nobody would think twice about me.”

“I definitely feel that if somebody is struggling with themselves and how they look, they need to really channel the positivity within.”

You posted a picture of yourself in a bathing suit a couple of months ago. How significant was that decision?

“When I did it I didn’t think it would get the response it did, I just posted it because at the time I felt I’d spent years of my life where I wouldn’t wear a bathing suit or go out and do things because of dumb insecurities I’d made up in my own head.”

“I felt like posting the picture to show people that this is who I am, and I’m proud of it. I’m a work in progress, and it got such a great response. It’s great people can relate to that. Everyone is beautiful in their own way and nobody should have self doubt.”

I hear you’re a big fan of Game of Thrones. How similar is that world to WWE? In professional wrestling, everything gets settled in the ring right?

“No matter what conflict we have, we come to blows and settle it. It’s very similar to Game of Thrones, because at the end of the day you’ve got to fight for your Kingdom, you’ve got to fight if you wanna be top of the food chain.”

Which Games of Thrones character would make the best WWE superstar?

“Obviously The Mountain! He came over to the Performance Center when I was there, and he was sitting next to Braun Strowman and made him look little. I would love for that to come to life in WWE, that would be cool to see Braun vs The Mountain!”

“I know this is bad and not popular, but I’m a big fan of Cersei. In my gear I’ve mirrored her recent outfits, she wears a black robe that comes up high on her neck with the shoulder pads, so I’ve tried to incorporate that look.”

“I’ll literally send in pictures of Cersei to my gear lady and ask her to make things that look like her outfits. That’s why I’m in full body black, I love Cersei, her dynamic and how far she’s come.”

So who is going to win Game of Thrones?

“Oh my gosh… You know what, I’m a big Stark family fan. I love that House, so I’m hoping anybody from that. Sansa to Jon Snow, but then I don’t even know where Jon is going to go from this.”

Getting back to wrestling, the Mae Young Classic is starting soon. Who are you most interested in watching during the tournament?

“I’ve excited to watch Bianca Belair, I’ve always been a fan of hers, she’s very athletic and insanely talented. When I first met her at the Performance Center I knew she’d be a star, and I told her to keep doing what she’s doing and she’d do great things.”

“The Mae Young Classic is very inspiring to see all these women from all over the world who have worked their butt off to get a foot in the door in WWE. They literally blew me away when I watched the matches, so I can’t wait for everyone to see it on the WWE Network. Women kicking ass is a great thing!”

You seem to get on really well with your fellow performers in WWE. Some people say that the backstage area in WWE is pretty tense however. Is that true?

“When it comes to match time everyone settles down and gets into game mode, but a little bit before then there’s nothing wrong with a little fun and play.”

“Our schedule is not easy, I don’t think any other sports team or company does what we do, we’re 24/7 and always on the road no matter what. Every now and then it’s good to have a nerfball fight or whatever to get rid of some of the stress we have.”

Finally, if we’re having this conversation again this time next year, what do you hope to have achieved?

“There’s so much! I’m hoping if we talk in a year I’m the Raw Women’s Champion sitting on top of my throne.”

But what about Alexa?

“You know we’re best friends, but she understands that when I’m ready to come after that title she better be ready to give it up.”