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What’s the story?
In an interview with FOX Sports, Toni Storm opened up on a myriad of topics.
Storm spoke about performing in WWE’s Mae Young Classic last year. Besides, Storm expounded upon speaking Japanese, and wanting to make it to the WWE.
In case you didn’t know…
Toni Storm, whose real name is Toni Rossall, has competed in the sport of professional wrestling since the age of 13.
Storm attended a couple of WWE Tryouts back in 2014 and ’15, however, he first prominent assignment with WWE came at last year’s Mae Young Classic tournament—with Storm making it to the tournament’s semi-finals before being eliminated by Kairi Sane.
The heart of the matter
Addressing her performances in WWE’s Mae Young Classic tournament, Toni Storm asserted that she was extremely nervous throughout the experience—jesting that she almost had a heart attack in light of the media work and tapings she had to go through in her first major WWE experience.
Additionally, Storm elucidated that considering how she extensively performs on the Japanese professional wrestling circuit, the fact that she learnt a bit of Japanese in school and still keeps brushing up her skills in the language is in turn helping her succeed in the business today.
Storm added that she’s often ringside when other gaijins (Japanese term used to denote “foreigners”) are wrestling, so as to help bridge any sort of communication gap between the referee and the gaijin performers—particularly if something goes wrong inside the ring.
Furthermore, Storm explained that she’s indeed blessed to be able to travel the world with her friends, and how her main aim has always been to make it to the WWE—
"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, (and) 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."
What’s next?
Toni Storm presently competes on the independent professional wrestling circuit; primarily in World Wonder Ring Stardom.
The vast majority of professional wrestling experts believe that Storm is indeed being scouted by WWE, and is likely to sign with WWE sooner rather than later.
Author’s take
Toni Storm is an incredible athlete, regardless, what truly makes her stand out from the others is her otherworldly grasp on in-ring psychology.
Storm could very well be the face of the WWE Women’s Division right now, and here’s hoping this young woman ascends to great heights of success in the years to come.
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