Daria Rae Recalls Past TNA Talks After WWE Release, Why She Joined TNA Now

Daria Rae is back in wrestling as an authority figure in TNA, and she recently spoke about deciding that she was ready to return and more. Rae, the former Sonya Deville, made her return at last week’s AMC premiere of TNA Impact.

Rae is positioned opposite Santino Marella in the authority figure role, and she spoke with Metro’s Alistair McGeorge about deciding she was ready to return and more. You can see the highlights below:

On Deciding She Was Ready To Return:

“When you perform in front of live audiences, like I did, and anyone who’s experienced that, you know that there’s nothing really that can replicate that. I had had conversations with Carlos from TNA as soon as I left WWE, and that wasn’t the time for me, and I didn’t know if it would ever be to be honest.

“And then it just felt right. So I shot him a text, and it happened to be the day before they announced the AMC TV deal. So he’s like, “Did you know?” And I was like, “No, I had no idea, but that’s great news”. And so we went back and forth and made it happen, and it ended up being, I think, perfect timing.”

On Working With Marella:

“He understands what people want, but also he just genuinely has that likeable factor. I think I genuinely have the unlikable factor. So it worked perfectly, like a match made in heaven… I was like, “Oh, I would love to kind of come in there and dim his light”, just because he’s so funny. His comedic timing is impeccable. He’s so beloved by the fans, as he should be.’”

On Leaning On Her Authority Figure Experience In WWE:

‘Oh, God, we had so much fun. I think it’s just so important. I love the dynamic and the dichotomy that I had with Pearce. And I think having someone to work off of and play off of is really fun.”

On Being Part Of TNA:

“I don’t think there’s ever been a better point in history to be in the sports entertainment industry. I think what TNA is doing is so unique, and it really is the The Little Engine That Could. And now everyone’s the great product that they’ve always loved is coming to the big screen.”