Marina Shafir On Why MMA vs WWE Horsewomen Match Never Happened, Her Transition Into Wrestling

On a recent episode of The Sessions, Renee Paquette had a conversation with former MMA grappler, and current AEW superstar, Marina Shafir. The conversation ranged from meeting Marina’s husband Roderick Strong, the challenges they faced starting a family and moving to Florida for NXT, and why the MMA vs NXT/WWE Four Horsewoman match never happened. Check out some of her comments below:

On the MMA Four Horsewomen transitioning to pro wrestling: “It wasn’t ever really like a conversation. It was more like a mutual understanding. Right before Ronda [Rousey] fought Holly [Holm], I had hurt my neck really bad. I was out from two herniated discs, and trying to at least get back into at least competing in Jujitsu and rehabbing. I was in my own thing. At that time, Shayna [Baszler] decided to really double-down on wrestling. She was getting ready to go to Japan. We just were on different paths.”

On meeting Roderick Strong at PWG: “I had met Roddy [Roderick Strong] at PWG and he slid into my DMs and… you know. You know the pro wrestling charm. We all fall victim to it. I know how to sweep people off their feet, but he f****** got me (laughs).”

On the rough transition of moving to Florida, Roddy starting NXT, getting pregnant: “I got pregnant. Thought everything was over. Thought I was just not where I wanted to be in my career. I committed to being a family. I was living in California, I moved to Florida. Roddy was in a transition too, which was an emotional rollercoaster. It was a lot of uncertainty. We lived in a house… that was a client of his mother’s that she cleaned, to help us out. It was rough. Roddy had been signed with NXT, right around the time [their son] Troy was born.”

On the fans making them the Horsewomen organically: “We were all associated as the four. It’s just interesting because it’s something that the fans really wanted. The fans, more so, established it than us. We really didn’t have to be like, [mocking voice] “we’re the Four Horsewomen! We’re gonna prove it you! Berp-a-derp-a-derp!” There was no song and dance. It was just like, we’re friends. We train. We f****** push each other. And that’s just what it was.”

On why the MMA Four Horsemwomen vs the NXT/WWE Four Horsewomen match never happened: “Egos. Egos were at play. I’ve learned there’s too many f****** cooks in the kitchen sometimes, in more ways that one. I feel like professional wrestling was a little bit more exclusive back in the day. It wasn’t just about politicking, it was just about showing respect, not kissing ass. Not feeling like you have to give something up of yourself to take it to the next level.”

If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The Sessions h/t 411mania.com for the transcription