Mariah May Opens Up on AEW Signing: A Tale of Ambition, Loyalty, and a Shot at Glory
Mariah May’s meteoric upward thrust in the world of expert wrestling has been nothing short of fantastic. The 26-12 months-vintage British wrestling sensation has recently captured headlines and captivated lovers along with her choice to join All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a circulate that has sparked much hypothesis and exhilaration throughout the wrestling network.
A Star is Born in AEW
In November 2023, AEW welcomed Mariah May to its ranks, introducing her as a pressure to be reckoned with. Known for her stellar performances in Japan’s renowned Stardom promotion, where she honed her craft and developed into a powerful competitor, May’s arrival in AEW changed into met with anticipation and curiosity. The organisation wasted no time in showcasing her talents, aligning her character with the enigmatic “Timeless” Toni Storm, a three-time AEW Women’s World Champion.
For over six months, May played the position of a devoted superfan, status by way of Storm’s facet as she reigned very best over the AEW Women’s department. But this seemingly unswerving alliance turned into shattered at the July tenth version of AEW Dynamite whilst Mariah May bowled over the wrestling international with the aid of attacking Storm right away after prevailing the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. The shocking betrayal set the stage for a excessive-stakes clash between the two at AEW All In on August 25th, in London, England—a healthy wherein May will now not best task for Storm’s AEW Women’s World Title but additionally fight on her home turf.
The Road to AEW: A Strategic Decision
Mariah May currently shared the reasoning at the back of her choice to sign with AEW, offering a glimpse into the mindset of a wrestler who is not just chasing titles however additionally looking for to create memorable moments. In a one of a kind interview on Busted Open Radio, May revealed that her choice to join AEW was driven by a compelling storyline pitched by AEW’s owner, Tony Khan.
“Growing up as a wrestling fan, I was always attracted to the big storylines,” May explained. “You don’t really remember the matches. You just remember the moments.”
For May, the allure of AEW lay in the opportunity to be part of something greater than just a series of matches. Khan’s vision for her character and the overarching narrative was what sealed the deal.
“I’ve always been really big on that, and the reason I chose AEW is because Tony Khan came to me with this story,” May continued. “It was like, okay, I’m not just being signed to a company because she’s got a bit of momentum or anything like that. It’s like, we have a real plan for you, and it was something to sink my teeth into.”
The story-driven approach of AEW, combined with the creative freedom she was given, made the decision an easy one for May. She also highlighted her collaboration with R.J. City, a talented writer within AEW, who worked closely with her on developing her character and the storyline. This creative partnership allowed her to inject her own ideas and personality into the character, making it feel uniquely hers.
The Stardom Experience: Building a Complete Wrestler
Before making her mark in AEW, Mariah May’s journey took her to Japan’s Stardom promotion, a renowned platform for women’s wrestling that has produced some of the industry’s top talents. Reflecting on her time in Stardom, May credited the promotion for shaping her into the wrestler she is today.
“So I kind of had ‘The Glamour’ going for a while on the indies, and then when I went to STARDOM, I kind of started from scratch,” May said. “I was still so early in my career, and I just thought I had such a great opportunity with the dojo and with the schedule they have.”
The rigorous schedule in Stardom, which saw her wrestling three to four times a week, provided May with a crash course in professional wrestling. Despite the language barrier, she learned invaluable lessons in promo skills, facial expressions, body language, and connecting with the audience in ways that transcend words.
“STARDOM, I feel like, really made me as a wrestler,” May asserted. “It didn’t change who I am as a person because I’ve always been this way, but it definitely made me very complete as a wrestler.”
