Maxxine Dupri Says Working With Nikki Bella in WWE Is a ‘Dream,’ Reflects on Her Growth in the Last Year

During a recent interview with Insight with Chris Van Vliet, WWE Superstar Maxxine Dupri discussed the recent WWE return of Nikki Bella and the moment they got to share in the Battle Royal at WWE Evolution earlier this year.

According to Maxxine Dupri, getting to work with Nikki Bella and share a locker room with her is a “dream” come true. Below are some highlights from Insight:

Maxxine Dupri on Working With Nikki Bella

“Oh my goodness. It’s a dream, seriously, my Total Divas dream. I’m in the locker room with Nattie and Nikki. It’s unbelievable. It has been so fun. It was Evolution when we got to do a little spot in the ring together, me, Nattie, and Nikki. And I was like, love that. It was such a cool moment. I was grateful to be a part of it. I always say, whoever said don’t meet your heroes, they never met Nikki Bella or Brie Bella, because they are 1000 times better than what I imagined. They are the most wholesome, down-to-earth, kind, loving, beautiful humans you’ll ever meet. We actually had the best time in Paris with them. Me and Jackie went out and met up with Nikki and Brie and their photographer who was with them, Claire. She’s also amazing, which is also a testament to them. Every single person that is around them, to their core, is a wonderful human. Everyone I meet, a manager, whoever, I’m like, wow, you just like, surround yourself with such amazing people. And it shines through them. But that night, I learned Brie is hilarious. If she needs a side gig, she should do comedy. I was crying, laughing the whole time.”

On Why She Performs The Worm Backwards

“Okay, it’s a backwards worm because I think the first time I did it was, it might have been the six man, which is my very first match, or it may have been my singles with Valhalla. But whatever it was, that day we’re in the ring, and they were like, Okay, we think you should do the worm. And at first, I’m like, yes! I got this. I got this on lockdown, easy peasy. What I didn’t realize is the last time I’d done the worm, prior to that, was when I was a guest on Below Deck Med with my mom, and I did it in a beer suit. I was feeling good that day. We were on a boat. You know, drinks were flowing. I was feeling good. I didn’t remember that I did it backwards, because I was so good at it. So I didn’t remember that I did it backwards. Okay, I can do the worm, and I’m trying to do it forward. And, as we know, it was like a mechanical worm. I would like, drop to my knees, and that was my worm going forward. And it just got to a point where I was so embarrassed every time I watched it. I was like, this is horrific. And I know everyone says it’s endearing, it’s funny, it’s part of your character. I’m like, this is horrendous. Then I was like, I know I can do it backwards, but during that time, I was just not comfortable with my character yet. So I didn’t even feel like I was allowed to do it backwards. I think I said to Chad one time, ‘Hey, do you think if I cartwheel into it and do it backwards, I’ll get in trouble, or is that okay?’ Because it’s way better backwards. And he was like, ‘Do it, you’re making it your own.’ Then I did it that way, and it was so much easier and so much better. So it was not an intentional ‘Oh, I’m gonna do this new, unique worm.’ It’s just that I truly cannot do it well forward.”

On Her Growth in the Last Year

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot in the last year, but not just physically and not just in the ring, but like mentally. I feel the clarity, the confidence. I’ve really fallen in love with getting better and with being in the ring, and just like, not necessarily even on TV, but just like in training, and just like having fun. We always say, I’m gonna when I train at Flatbacks. We always text before, like, All right, who’s bringing the vibes? Everyone bring the vibes. Vibe check. And it’s just like, the vibes are up. It’s fun. I’m just having a good time.”

As previously reported, Maxxine Dupri recently earned a future shot at the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title, which is currently held by Becky Lynch. WWE Raw GM Adam Pearce said Dupri would receive her title shot when she was ready for it.

Dupri has previously defeated Lynch via countout and once again later via disqualification. It’s not yet clear when she will be challenging Becky Lynch for the title.