Fresh off her stint on The Traitors Canada, Taya Valkyrie is not only thankful that AEW allows her to explore other projects and her creative side but how important it is for pro-wrestlers to do more outside of the squared circle.
“I always advocate for and share everyone’s side projects, whether it’s TV, film, my music, or my new EP that’s dropping on my birthday, October 22! Get it wherever you get your music! You have to be able to do all those things and I’m very thankful that AEW and Tony Khan allow that for all their talent,” said a thankful Valkyrie.
For Valkyrie who is a singer and dancer with a background in ballet, exploring her creative side is important to her.
“If you follow me on social media or have known me for years, you know I’m an advocate for the idea that being a professional wrestler doesn’t just mean in-ring stuff. It’s so much more than that. I used to hear about establishing yourself for your future. We are a brand in ourselves, right? So, you have to do other things. You cannot just sit at home and wait to go to TV or whatever it is. I look up to some of these indie wrestlers, like Effy, who has created his own world and marketed himself. You have to make the most of every opportunity on screen but you also have to make the most of every opportunity that comes to you behind the scenes and explore all those creative outlets,” she told Slam Wrestling.
She also detailed how important it is for wrestlers to look to the future because their in-ring careers won’t last forever.
“Wrestlers are so underestimated in terms of how creative we are. We know about marketing and products, and we will sell you anything. (laughs) We’re all very kind and hard workers. I think it’s great that AEW does this because we’re able to do different things. Impact was the same way. You have to allow your talent to do other things because, at the end of the day, this doesn’t always last forever. You need to set yourself up for what’s next. If you’re not setting those things up while you’re wrestling, you’ll get to the end of it and be left with nothing,” she warned.
After establishing herself all over the globe, Valkyrie landed in AEW in 2023 after a short stint in the WWE. Reviewing her AEW career so far, Valkyrie doesn’t believe fans there have seen the best of her just yet.
“No, I have not been given the opportunity that I think I deserve. I’m Taya Valkyrie. I’m sorry, I’m a multi-time world champion, the longest-reigning Knockouts Champion of all time, a multi-time AAA Reina de Reinas Champion and a multi-time champion in different independents in Australia, the UK, and everywhere. I do whatever they ask. I’m there to work and do whatever they ask, which is why you see me doing different things. Have I been given the opportunity I think I deserve? Absolutely not. I have so much more to give. I’m in my prime. I look good. I can talk. I can wrestle. I can out-wrestle anybody. I just need to be given the opportunity. I’m always here waiting. I’m ready to go. I don’t need to get ready because I am ready,” she said.
Sitting on the sidelines is never easy for talent who take pride in their work and their careers. How does Valkyrie stay ready? She explains.
“It is very hard. There have definitely been times when I’m like, “Do I even—does anybody even see me anymore?” You really get in your own head. I’m a creative at the end of the day. I’m sensitive, I wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m very passionate. That’s also why I love doing these outside projects and why it’s so important for me, physically and psychologically, to have these creative outlets. I created Making Towns, and we did over 40 episodes. That was all me. We did Johnny Loves Taya, and that was all John and me—two seasons. We continue to try to bring things to the table and elevate ourselves in our own ways,” she said.
Valkyrie doesn’t know what she would do if she didn’t have those other outlets for her creativity.
“If it’s not our time to be in the ring, we’re going to create content, put out music, have a podcast and do other things. Like John (Morrison) said, we’ve done two movies in the last six months. We’re doing a lot of other things and I think that’s the only way to survive. Otherwise, you’re letting this eat you alive and it’s mentally exhausting and taxing,” she said about husband Johnny TV (John Morrison).
The one thing she has learned in her 16-year career. The internet can be a harsh place for someone in the public spotlight as wrestling talent are. She had a piece of advice for fans and the media.
“People don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes or what’s going on at home for anybody. You never know what’s going on with someone. They’re only showing you what they want to show or what they feel comfortable with. So be kinder to everyone. Thank you. You don’t know what’s going on,” she said.
Valkyrie’s husband has been tearing it up in the upstart Maple Leaf Pro-Wrestling this year having phenomenal matches with TJP, especially. Does Valkyrie see a home for her there too? Perhaps.
“I worked for Scott D’Amore for so many years in Impact Wrestling. He advocated for me. He saw something special in me so I would love to go to Maple Leaf Pro and I’m sure it will happen sometime soon,” she predicted.
To read about Taya’s Traitors journey go here:
Taya Valkyrie on Being a Traitor, Getting Betrayed and Staying True to Herself
