Marina Shafir Explains the Death Riders’ Mission, the Origin of the Pre-Match Slaps

During a recent conversation with Renee Paquette on Close Up, Marina Shafir of the Death Riders discussed her career, as well as balancing her in-ring career with being a mother, and more. Shafir praised Bayne for her authenticity and called working with her a “gift.” Below are some highlights:

Marina Shafir on the Common Mission of the Death Riders

“They’re always chasing growth, and they’re not afraid to learn. And I just have so much respect for that because you have to have the balls to try. And then you have to have the balls to know who you are, and then you have to just give it a shot. I think our mission is growth and amongst each other, which resonates in the locker rooms. And I think that’s way more powerful than a lot of other bull**** going on.”

On the Origin of the Pre-Match Slaps

“I don’t necessarily know where, but you know, my MMA coach, Josh Barnet,t before any grappling match, fight, Bloodsport, you know, he’s in the back and kind of have like a face off, and you know, just eye to eye, and it’s like you just have to totally lock in. Nothing before matters, nothing after is going to matter. Like right here, you’ve got to make a decision to either be there or you’re not. And it’s just a little ****ing *whop whop* and then you’re off, off we go. I think the last Bloodsport that I did, where I wrestled Jody Threat, I think Mox saw that maybe I don’t know and just kind of felt like us.”

On How It Feels When She Wrestles on Her Own

“I don’t really feel alone. It just feels like I just get to be feral and I get to be like just authentically m,e and it’s freeing, a little scary, but more exciting than scary. And I don’t know. I’ve just been able to like it’s more of a grounding thing for me. It’s kind of kind of almost don’t want to give it up like you know like it’s just everybody’s got their own, and for me I’m starting to get closer and closer to freedom like the more not not even it’s like off the leash type of thing, you know? Like I love my relation to the group, but when I get to go out there on my own, it’s like we get to test some things we’ve been working on.”

Marina Shafir last wrestled at last week’s AEW Dynamite, where she faced former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm in a singles bout. Storm won the bout via disqualification.

If using any of the above quotes, please credit AEW Close Up, with a h/t to 411Mania for the transcription.