Speaking on a recent episode of “The Sessions with Renee Paquette” podcast, AEW wrestler Marina Shafir opened up on a variety of topics, including meeting her husband Roderick Strong, the MMA Four Horsewomen transitioning to pro wrestling, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On the MMA Four Horsewomen transitioning to pro wrestling: “It wasn’t ever really like a conversation. It was more like a mutual understanding. Right before Ronda [Rousey] fought Holly [Holm], I had hurt my neck really bad. I was out from two herniated discs, and trying to at least get back into at least competing in Jujitsu and rehabbing. I was in my own thing. At that time, Shayna [Baszler] decided to really double-down on wrestling. She was getting ready to go to Japan. We just were on different paths.”
On meeting Roderick Strong at PWG: “I had met Roddy [Roderick Strong] at PWG and he slid into my DMs and… you know. You know the pro wrestling charm. We all fall victim to it. I know how to sweep people off their feet, but he f****** got me (laughs).”
On the rough transition of moving to Florida, Roddy starting NXT, getting pregnant: “I got pregnant. Thought everything was over. Thought I was just not where I wanted to be in my career. I committed to being a family. I was living in California, I moved to Florida. Roddy was in a transition too, which was an emotional rollercoaster. It was a lot of uncertainty. We lived in a house… that was a client of his mother’s that she cleaned, to help us out. It was rough. Roddy had been signed with NXT, right around the time [their son] Troy was born.”
On the fans making them the Horsewomen organically: “We were all associated as the four. It’s just interesting because it’s something that the fans really wanted. The fans, more so, established it than us. We really didn’t have to be like, [mocking voice] “we’re the Four Horsewomen! We’re gonna prove it you! Berp-a-derp-a-derp!” There was no song and dance. It was just like, we’re friends. We train. We f****** push each other. And that’s just what it was.”
On why the MMA Four Horsewomen vs the NXT/WWE Four Horsewomen match never happened: “Egos. Egos were at play. I’ve learned there’s too many f****** cooks in the kitchen sometimes, in more ways that one. I feel like professional wrestling was a little bit more exclusive back in the day. It wasn’t just about politicking, it was just about showing respect, not kissing ass. Not feeling like you have to give something up of yourself to take it to the next level.”
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