WWE News: Shayna Baszler talks about her aggressive competitive spirit, her pre-match preparations and more

What's the story?

WWE NXT superstar Shayna Baszler was recently in a conversation with WWE commentator Byron Saxton and during the interview, the Mae Young Classic finalist gave an in-depth brief regarding her aggressive competitive spirit and more.

In case you didn't know

Shayna Baszler is a former MMA fighter, who has previously fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Baszler made her UFC debut in 2013 as part of Team Ronda Rousey during The Ultimate Fighter 18.

The 37-year-old has also wrestled for numerous top wrestling promotions around the world, most notably for World Wonder Ring Stardom. Baszler is also a former AIW Women’s Champion and DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion.

Baszler also took part in WWE's inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament in 2017 and made it to the finals, where she would go on to lose out to Kairi Sane, however, on the 27th of December, 2017, Baszler made her NXT debut attacking Kairi Sane in the process.

The heart of the matter

During the interview, Baszler spoke about a host of topics and below are a few highlights:

On her preparation for her upcoming NXT Women's Title match at TakeOver: New Orleans:

According to Shayna Baszler, there apparently isn't much difference between her pre-match preparations for MMA fights in comparison to her pre-match preparations before wrestling matches.

"It isn't that much different. Some things have changed. The round times and limits aren't there to worry about, so pacing benefits me in that I can take the time to enjoy the damage I cause."

Additionally, Baszler noted that despite the little changes in her pre-match preparations, the goal and the bloodthirst is still the same. However, Baszler believes that in MMA there isn't time to admire one's work until it's all over with, but in sports-entertainment, she can admire her in-ring work while she's at it.

On how she develops such an aggressive spirit:

Baszler stated that throughout her career she has had the desire to prove people wrong, who always looked past her.

In addition, the former World Wonder Ring Stardom superstar also said that she grew up on the wrong side of town and in her entire life, she had to work twice as hard as anyone.

"Whether it was because I was a female trying to wrestle or fight in MMA, or because I grew up on the wrong side of town. Everything I've gotten I've had to work twice as hard to earn."

On her upcoming title match against Ember Moon:

"The Queen of Spades" certainly seems like a very confident challenger and believes that come April 7th at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, "the hero", Ember Moon's will unquestionably lose the NXT Women's Title to Shayna Baszler.

"All the keyboard warriors better gather together and bring tissues, because at TakeOver, the hero, Ember Moon, loses her title. And The Queen of Spades will be the new champ, while everyone else will still be crying. This isn't a bandwagon; it's a war wagon. You won't be able to hop on because you're going to get run over."

What's next?

Having previously faced off at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, this will be the rematch between Ember Moon and Shayna Baszler, as the two competitors get set to go head-to-head on the 7th of April, at TakeOver: New Orleans.

Author's Take

Shayna Baszler has definitely proved herself to be one of the most intense competitors of all time and "The Queen of Spades" will look to dominate over the rest of the NXT Women's Division.

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