Stephanie McMahon says the women’s revolution in WWE “didn’t happen because of executives”

Stephanie: “The courage that it took to fight for what you believed in. And the fact that you really were a different character than any type of stereotype. You came out of nowhere, and the audience loved you from the start. I mean, they really did. They just connected with you in such a special and unique way. I appreciate your directness. I’m a direct person as well. I’m sure some people think I’m rude, but I don’t mean to be. To your point, I hate all the BS. Let’s just have the conversation. It’s funny because I was preparing for the interview and I was looking that up. That’s how I knew what it was. And I read all the backstage gossip about what happened. It’s just so interesting because people never really know, right? But I was actually happy that you posted that. I wasn’t happy that it was directed at me because it wasn’t anything I had direct control over. But I was really happy that you did because that movement I think the whole women’s evolution in WWE, it didn’t happen because of executives. Maybe along the way, people voicing their opinions, but it really happened because of the women who paved the way all the way back to the beginning of all of these incredible women who have been inside the Squared Circle, no matter what promotion they were in. But then for our audience, when they started the hashtag ‘give divas a chance’ at that time, that’s what couldn’t be ignored. The audience would never have gotten behind the movement if it weren’t for people like you who actually stood up for women publicly. I mean, take on the machine a little bit. Great. You know?”

AJ: “I appreciate that. I feel like change doesn’t happen unless there’s sacrifice, unless you have to be willing to everything to get what you want. I feel like that in every aspect of life, you playing it safe doesn’t work. Playing it safe might give you a safe life, but I don’t know if it gives you an exceptional life. I felt like that was worth it, whatever backlash was going to be. But I thought you were cool after. Everyone was pretty chill. It was business, and I appreciate that.”