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.”
“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.”
