Sasha Banks On Why She Wasn't A Divas Fan Growing Up, Corey Graves On His WWE Transition
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NXT's Corey Graves and NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks were recently guests on the This is Awesome Wrestling Show over the weekend, which is hosted by Glenn Moore and Steve Guy and based in Cleveland, Ohio. The duo also recaps the NXT event in Cleveland, which took place on Friday at the Agora Theater.
Banks talks about having NXT on the road for the first time, comparing the first night in Columbus to ECW's One Night Stand, where her character comes from, if she would like to ever be on Total Divas, who she would want to work with on the main roster and what impact she wants to make on women's wrestling. She also describes her first interaction with Vince McMahon, in which she calls herself as "such a mark", and does her Vince McMahon impersonation. Graves discusses the transition he's made from the ring to commentary full-time, dealing with his injury, broadcasting experience, having the independent wrestling connection with fans, and the all-star roster of NXT. He calls NXT the "rebel" brand and describes the mindset in the locker room.
Also, NXT Champion Kevin Owens will be on Wednesday's episode of the This is Awesome Wrestling Show. Link to the full show and interview: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/clesound/id/3413037
Sasha Banks starts at 18:23 and Corey Graves begins at 31:39. Below is a transcript of some of the highlights from each interview:
Sasha Banks on the WWE Divas and Women's divisions:
"Well, for me, I've always wanted to do this. Growing up, I was never really a fan of the Divas because I just never felt like they were role models for me. And the matches were not?watching it, it was very disappointing, especially when I wanted to be a wrestler so bad. It was always my goal to be the very best, male or female. I've always wanted to the best. I'm getting that opportunity here in NXT and just to see the response from fans, it's been absolutely incredible. But that's just as a whole. The whole divas, main roster, from the indies. From any company, the girls want to show we are the best. If we are given the time, we can do it. So it's just a matter of time before it happens on the main roster, because it's exciting. We just work as a whole. And when I get the opportunity to be called up, I look more than forward to working with those girls."
Corey Graves on transitioning from the ring to commentary table:
"It's a tough transition. It's still the business that I love. I think that's the important part. I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't watch some of these shows, especially like last night in Columbus, where you see these people absolutely on fire for the stars. I don't think jealous is the word, but I miss it. I definitely miss the feeling of being in the ring. That said, the transition has opened so many new opportunities to me and different aspects of the business that I never really explored about. It's really cool to see all these different moving parts of WWE. If I didn't have a good support team around me between the coaches, the guys at NXT, and my friends on the main roster checking in on me?I went through a dark time, it was hard. But this is the business that I love and this is the only thing I know. It was unfortunate, but it is what it is. And I think I kind of embraced this new role. I had no choice; just jump in with both feet. So, I'm still constantly learning, but I'm still here, so that's the exciting part."