A WWE veteran has expressed admiration for a notable championship rivalry in AEW, involving former and newly signed stars. Mariah May, the ex-AEW Women’s World Champion, made her WWE debut on June 3rd during an episode of NXT. Now known in WWE as Blake Monroe, she continues to embrace her “charm” persona.
On a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, Natalya praised Blake Monroe, reminiscing about her impressive work in AEW. She highlighted Monroe’s passionate and determined approach and specifically mentioned her rivalry with ex-WWE star Toni Storm. Natalya noted how Monroe backed up her character while innovating in WWE, describing her style as exciting, fresh, and fun. She also emphasized that WWE is all about wrestling, and Blake Monroe clearly knows how to perform in the ring.
The feud with Toni Storm featured May portraying a superfan of Storm before adopting her mannerisms, ultimately betraying her and capturing the AEW Women’s World Championship. Toni Storm lost the title at AEW’s event in London in 2024 but regained it the following February at the Grand Slam. This storyline, which culminated in May’s last AEW match at the March Revolution, has been previously praised by Natalya for its compelling storytelling.
Fan Take: This praise from a WWE veteran highlights the growing respect between AEW and WWE talent, showcasing how rivalries can elevate wrestlers’ careers regardless of the promotion. For AEW fans, it signals exciting cross-promotional storytelling and elevates the sport’s overall quality as wrestlers bring their best to these rivalries.
