Toni Storm on Working in Japan, Mae Young Classic, & Possible WWE Future

Fox Sports held a recent interview with Toni Storm discussing the advantages of knowing Japanese for her career, WWE’s Mae Young Classic tournament, a possible future career in the WWE, and more.

On the topic of knowing Japanese for her career in Japan, Storm stated she was very fortunate to learn the language while in school. She also stated she works as a ringside translator whenever possible for her non-Japanese speaking peers during their matches.

“I was lucky enough that I had learned a bit of Japanese prior, I did a bit in school, and I’ve been picking it up quite well. The communication definitely makes everything — not just wrestling — require a little bit more effort. Trying to translate the most basic things sometimes can be an all-day thing. Sometimes when the referee’s trying to communicate to you, they try their best and you try your best. What I like to do is when I’m on the same tour as the other gaijins (foreigners), if I can be ringside I do, because if anything goes wrong and you’re having trouble communicating to the ref, it’s always good if there’s another foreigner to help translate. Japan’s very big on seconds being there with the water and the cool spray anyway so I always make sure I’m there ringside and ask if they can be for me, because you don’t want to have a broken neck and next thing you’re trying to tell the ref what happened, but you can’t.”

On the topic of working in last year’s WWE Mae Young Classic tournament, Storm stated she was very nervous during the entire ten days she was involved in the tournament.

“That was nerve-racking. I was out doing all the tapings, all of the interviews and getting ready for it for about 10 days in Orlando. It was just 10 days of nerves, I was terrified. It was so nerve-racking because it’s WWE, it’s the top place, it’s where I’ve always wanted to be. I nearly had a heart attack.”

On the topic of a possible future career in the WWE, Storm stated it is currently her main career goal.

“My goal from the very beginning has been WWE. It’s what I’ve wanted since I was 10. I know that I’ll get there because I’m putting my whole life into this. I have to go there because if I don’t … this is my only option. There’s no back-up. But I’m enjoying the journey. I get to do the coolest things ever. I get to go to Japan and main event Korakuen Hall. I get to go out there with my best friends who are like family to me. I get to travel to New Orleans, I get to come back here and see everyone that I started with, I get to go everywhere, and that’s the best. People don’t get that. I’m just so blessed.”

Other topics discussed during the interview included her early years in wrestling, thoughts on her recent match with Timothy Thatcher, and her traveling schedule.