Toni Storm defends the NXT UK Women's Championship against Kay Lee Ray at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff on Saturday night.
The match with her long time rival from Scotland, for the first time under WWE's UK brand, takes place at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on August 31.
After earning many accolades on the indies, the New Zealand born Australian competed in both Mae Young Classic tournaments in 2017 and 2018.
Storm famously won the second edition by defeating Io Shirai in one of the best matches of the night at WWE's first all women's pay-per-view, Evolution.
The 23-year-old followed that up by capturing the NXT UK Women's title from Rhea Ripley at the inaugural NXT UK TakeOver in Blackpool back in January.
In an exclusive interview with Mirror Sport's Lyle Carr, she discussed her title defence, thoughts on Trish Stratus and Sasha Banks, and a second Evolution show.
You face Kay Lee Ray at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff. With you both having had many highly regarded matches on the indies, what different approach are you planning to bring to this match?
There's a lot of emotion going into it this time. Me and Kay Lee, we've wrestled all over the world, all these different matches, that have been some of my favourite work so far. We were friends then, and now things have gotten a little personal, so I think people can expect a lot out of this match. We're going into this a bit different this time.
If you are able to retain your title against Kay Lee Ray, is there anyone else in line that you think would be a good contender for the NXT UK Women's Championship?
I think a big contender for the championship would obviously be Piper Niven. She's someone I've had some of my best matches with, I wrestled her in the first Mae Young Classic [Storm was victorious against Niven in a quarter final bout] and that still sticks out as a memorable match for me.
I think she's a very underrated talent and she's definitely one of the best women in the entire world. I think she needs more exposure for that because she really is phenomenal, she's definitely in line for a shot. Definitely.
Ahead of Evolution last year, you took part in an episode of Table for 3 with Trish Stratus and Sasha Banks. How surreal a moment was that for you?
I was actually laughing about that with a friend recently! I showed them the video and I was just laughing at myself because I looked so terrified! It's definitely one of the most surreal things that I've ever lived through. I'll never forget it. But I look back and just laugh at myself sat there terrified. It's definitely one of the best memories I've ever had.
Speaking of Trish, how did you enjoy her and Charlotte's match at SummerSlam?
It was incredible. Trish's presence itself is just unbelievable. I still can't believe I got to be on Evolution alongside her. To me that's still incredible. I grew up watching her, she was so inspirational to me as a young girl and then I'm just casually on a show with her! Every time I see her I just get a rush of excitement, she's just such a legend. And she can still go man! I hope I can be like that.
You were also joined by Sasha - what are your thoughts on her recent return and heel turn?
To be honest it's just so badass isn't it? It's totally something I'd do. I love Sasha, I think she's incredible. She's so tough and so badass, it's inspiring to me. She is literally such a boss, her strength and her dominance - it's incredible to see.
I also think we need more wig reveals in wrestling.
Yeah. Hell yeah! There's not enough of that. You never know I might surprise you all!
You competed at Evolution in the finals of last year's Mae Young Classic. There's been a lot of talk about a potential second Evolution show. What do you think about another all women's pay-per-view?
I think it's a great idea - it's exactly what I want to see anyway! I think regardless of if it happens or not, women's wrestling has come so far now that I'm ecstatic about it. It's doing better than it ever has, there's more women's matches on every show now. We're in such a thriving division that I'm really proud of. Obviously I want to see a second Evolution, but we're exactly where we need to be, which is great.
After winning the Mae Young Classic at Evolution, did you make a conscious choice to be a part of the NXT UK brand?
As soon as I found out that there was going to be an NXT UK, I was just so excited, because it's exactly what the UK needed for so many years. So much underrated talent comes from here, there's so many hidden gems, and now we've got a platform to show it on in WWE. It's such a great platform for all of us and we've all just worked so hard for it.
When I first moved to the UK, it was a little different and it [the UK wrestling scene] didn't get the exposure it deserved. I feel like it's been such a huge team effort. All of the people I've been in NXT UK with now, we've all worked so hard to get it to that point. It's been really fun being a part of it and going along for the ride.
It's just a brand I'm so proud of, whether I stay there or go to the main roster, it's still my first love. It's very important to me, it's very special. It's why going into TakeOver brings a lot of pressure to me, I just want to do it proud.
Toni Storm will defend her NXT UK Women’s Championship at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff. Streaming LIVE on the award-winning WWE Network, August 31.
Last tickets are still available here
