Challenging Stereotypes and Forging Her Own Path
In a recent interview, Shayna Baszler opened up about her transition from NXT to the main roster, where she faced a number of challenges, including how she was perceived by the wider audience and some of the top figures in WWE. At the heart of her frustrations is the notion that she was booked as a “female Brock Lesnar” – a label that Baszler vehemently disputes.
“I think it’s easy to look at someone like me, who has a similar style and a similar reputation, and to try to pigeonhole me into that same mold,” Baszler said. “But the truth is, I’m not just a female version of Brock Lesnar. I’m Shayna Baszler, and I have my own unique strengths and weaknesses that need to be showcased.”
Baszler’s struggles on the main roster have been well-documented. Despite being one of the most dominant forces in NXT, she failed to replicate that same level of success in the WWE. Her booking was often inconsistent, and she found herself facing a number of high-profile losses that seemed to undermine her credibility.
A Lack of Trust from Vince McMahon
According to sources close to Baszler, one of the main reasons she struggled on the main roster was a lack of trust from Vince McMahon himself. Baszler’s style and reputation were seen as too intense for a female wrestler, and she was often booked in a way that played down her strengths.
“Vince just didn’t know what to do with her,” said a WWE insider. “He saw her as a bit of a wild card, and he wasn’t sure how to harness her energy. It’s a shame, because she’s a really talented wrestler who deserves better.”
Baszler’s frustration with her booking was evident in her interview, where she spoke about the difficulties of navigating a system that often seemed designed to hold her back.
“It’s hard to know where to start with the booking,” she said. “Sometimes I would go to the office and ask for certain things, and they would just be ignored. Other times, I would be booked in a way that was completely opposite of what I wanted. It was like they didn’t trust me to make my own decisions.”
A Changing of the Guard
Despite the challenges she faced, Baszler remains committed to her career and is determined to make a success of herself in WWE. With the recent changes to the company’s creative team, she is hopeful that she will finally be given the opportunity to showcase her talents in a way that reflects her true abilities.
“I’m excited to see what the future holds,” Baszler said. “With the new creative team in place, I feel like I have a real chance to be booked in a way that showcases my strengths. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m up for it.”
As WWE enters a new era, Baszler is looking forward to the opportunity to forge her own path and prove herself as a top talent. With her unique style and intense reputation, she is poised to make a big impact – and she’s not going to let anyone, including herself, define her as a “female Brock Lesnar” ever again.