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What's the story?
There have been reports suggesting that Nia Jax walked out before RAW on October 9th. It looked like she was still with the company and looking forward to destruction on the morning before she reportedly left. Now Alexa Bliss is opening up about what's going on with her friend as she spoke to The New York Post.
In case you didn't know...
Neville is reported to have walked out on October 9th as well so maybe there was just something in the water to make people frustrated. But everybody has their breaking point.
The heart of the matter
Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax are best friends in real life. That close friendship will certainly be a highlight of Total Divas' seventh season. "Little Miss Bliss" recently spoke to The New York Post where she opened up about what was going on with one of her best friends who happens to also be The Rock's cousin.
“We have talked about it a lot. Whatever she is going through, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a leave of absence. She’s taking some time off because our schedule it very grueling. It’s very, very demanding. There are times where you are run down and your body can’t do it anymore and you get sick or you get injured from it and you get tired.”
Alexa Bliss went on to talk about how Nia Jax did similar things in NXT by taking time off for a "reset." But Bliss expressed little doubt her friend would eventually be back.
“So, I feel like everyone needs a reset every once in a while. In NXT I took a few resets and it was never like public knowledge, but we all need them. We all take them once in a while. I am happy when she comes back. I feel like everyone needs that refresher week or refresher moment.”
What's next?
Hopefully, Alexa Bliss is correct and Nia Jax will get back to action soon. The life of a WWE Superstar is a very busy one and it has to take its toll on your body and psyche. If Nia Jax just needed a break then that's fine. But some believe there's more going on underneath the surface in this situation.
Author's take
Nia Jax is a great entertainer and a hero for many. I really hope she can overcome whatever the issue is and get back to business as soon as possible. WWE sees big things in Jax and it would be a shame for her career to be cut short for any reason.
That being said, Alexa Bliss' answers were on point. But she very well might know more than she's saying. WWE Superstars are well-prepared professionals who are often given direction in which way to lead a conversation if a taboo subject is broached. Bliss is arguably the greatest product of the WWE Performance Center thus far, therefore, she's very good at answering the tough questions.
Whether Nia Jax walked because she's frustrated with creative direction, because of money issues, or because she just needed a reset, there are things for her to do on Raw. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio how the plan for TLC was initially Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax but it was changed when Jax took her leave of absence.
Even though WWE won't admit there is a leave of absence, which makes me wonder if "reset" is a new word Vince McMahon likes to use?
