Blake Monroe has opened up on the scrutiny she’s received since leaving AEW and becoming a WWE superstar.
The Glamour arrived on WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, in early June, initially as a babyface before turning heel at WWE Evolution. Her decision to join the Stamford-based promotion came after a successful spell at the company’s biggest rival AEW, where she was known as Mariah May.
Blake Monroe’s Emotionally Reflects on joining WWE
The 27-year-old’s AEW departure came as somewhat of a surprise given she’d been embroiled in perhaps ‘the greatest women’s rivalry’ in pro wrestling history with Toni Storm. But she’d longed to become a WWE superstar ever since her childhood and she took up the chance to fulfill that dream.
Monroe spoke about that journey during a Vlog on her YouTube channel:
“I left my house five or six years ago with this dream of being a WWE superstar. I used to go to all the WWE shows, I’d save all my money to travel to go to WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble.”
Monroe’s decision has led to online debates among fans which have highlighted just how toxic the wrestling community can be. She admits that she’s wary of discussing her story:
“I don’t even want to talk about stuff because I feel like everything I say gets yanked and taken out of context with these articles and Twitter and stuff. I feel like I’m scared to talk about these things because I feel like people take it the wrong way or take me as ungrateful.
She added:
But I’ve had the most amazing wrestling journey. I’m so lucky I’ve been able to travel the world, wrestle some of the best wrestlers, tell amazing stories, work with amazing writers, work with amazing people, have people take a chance on me.”
Monroe grew up in London, England, and initially broke into the business as a ring announcer before unsuccessfully trying out at WWE’s Performance Center in Enfield. She worked her way through the British independent circuit before relocating to Japan to join Stardom before reaching AEW in 2023, where she became an AEW Women’s World Champion:
“Not for one second would I ever change anything or am I ungrateful. I’m so grateful, I feel like I’m celebrated. I’ve given 110% of my life, myself, to every single wrestling job I have ever had, no matter what I can say that, I feel like I can retire one day and know that. I feel like if you watch my work you know that.”
The Brit’s shock heel turn on Storm was one of the best pieces of AEW storytelling before defeating her arch-rival at AEW All In at Wembley back in her homeland. She had achieved all there was to accomplish with the Jacksonville-based promotion and headed to WWE earlier this year.
“Cut The Girl a Break” – Fans Throw Their Support Behind Blake Monroe
Monroe’s comments on reaching WWE and the negativity that has come with that didn’t go unnoticed by fans on social media. She remains one of the most popular wrestlers in the entire industry and many were quick to back her after watching her get emotional on the topic.
One fan hit out at online wrestling fans:
“Crap like this is when I think the IWC should be renamed Internets Worst Community.”
Another pointed out:
“Wrestling tribalism is very toxic.”
One fan highlighted to her critics that she’d fulfilled her dream just like they’d like to:
“Serious people, cut the girl a break! People have dreams, I’m sure all of you people twisting it have dreams.”
Monroe will spend time in WWE’s developmental where she’s currently feuding with former TNA Knockout Champion Jordynne Grace. But it might be too long until she’s called up to the main roster, as the equally talented Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia spent a minimal period on NXT before being called up to RAW and SmackDown.
