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SK: You'll be in South Africa in October, but that won't be your first time in the country. You were here in 2013 for a WWE live event. Was that your first time in the country? And how was the experience?
Kaitlyn: Yes! It was my first time there. I felt like a lot of my first time traveling when I was with WWE and it's so funny - I've always told people when I—when they would ask me, what was my favorite place to visit, I always said South Africa because, to me, It's the most beautiful place that I've ever been. When I was there, we had a three day tour and we had one extra day in Cape Town. We took a helicopter to the very most tip (laughs) of Cape Town and we took a boat out, and we went and we swam with the great white sharks, and to this day, it's still the coolest experience I've ever had.
Its been on my list to come back to South Africa, just didn't know whether it was to compete in wrestling or if it was just to visit there. I love how everything kinda falls into place and it just works out, so I'll be able to come back and hopefully I'll be a integrate part of Slamforce Africa, so I'll be there much more often. I'm honored. I'm not just saying it because I'm going to be a part of this big show, but I'm truly-truly excited to come back to South Africa. It's been so long and it's one of my greatest memories that I have.
SK: You competed in NXT before moving to the main roster. What do you think of NXT moving to the USA Network?
Kaitlyn: So, when I was part of NXT it wasn't what it is now. It was literally just a reality-based elimination show that was one hour a week on Syfy and then it was kind of moved around to different places, so it was nothing compared to what it is now. Just watching the evolution of NXT as someone who was a part of WWE for a few years and then also to end up watching it as a fan, it makes me so proud and happy, especially for the women, how far they've come, and how they've been given the opportunity to really step up and live to their fullest potential.
A lot of that has happened through NXT, and so I think it's such a strong foundation of what we see now on RAW and SmackDown. Now that its gotten its own spot on USA, it's like it's getting the opportunity to really improve its worth. The people that are part of the roster are given this incredible opportunity to show the world how good they are. It makes me super-super proud and happy for everyone that's a part of that program, and it's insane to see how much NXT has grown as a brand over the past five years.
Up next: Kaitlyn talks about NXT going head to head with AEW!
