Shayna Baszler on Her Pre-Match Preparations, Competitive Spirit, TakeOver

WWE’s official website held a recent interview with Shayna Baszler discussing her pre-match preparations, her aggressive competitive spirit, her upcoming Women’s Championship match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, and more.

On the topic of her pre-match preparations, Baszler stated her pre-match wrestling routine is very similar to her MMA match preparations done in the past.

It isn’t that much different. Some things have changed. The round times and limits aren’t there to worry about, so pacing benefits me in that I can take the time to enjoy the damage I cause. But the goal is still the same. It’s the same bloodthirst. In MMA, there isn’t time to admire your work until it’s all over with. In sports-entertainment, I can admire what I’m doing while it’s happening. So pre-match, I guess you could say my mindset is more like a lion about to play with its food, rather than a lion trying to hunt out of necessity. But ultimately, I’m out to hunt my target.

On the topic of her aggressive competitive spirit, Baszler stated it is based on her desire to constantly prove herself to those who were wrong about her in the past.

I have always had a desire to prove people that looked past me wrong. Whether it was because I was a female trying to wrestle or fight in MMA, or because I grew up on the wrong side of town. Everything I’ve gotten I’ve had to work twice as hard to earn.

On the topic of her upcoming Women’s Championship match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, Baszler stated she will enjoy basking in the tears and anger of fans after she defeats Ember Moon for the title.

All the keyboard warriors better gather together and bring tissues, because at TakeOver, the hero, Ember Moon, loses her title. And The Queen of Spades will be the new champ, while everyone else will still be crying. This isn’t a bandwagon; it’s a war wagon. You won’t be able to hop on because you’re going to get run over.

Other topics discussed included her thoughts on Ember Moon defeating her in their prior match and if she considers herself to be an excessively abrasive person in the WWE.