Athena Feels Like Goldberg Question At AEW All In Texas Press Conference Was ‘A Little Disrespectful To An Extent’
Athena comments on the AEW All In Texas press conference.
Following her Casino Gauntlet win at the pay-per-view, Athena sat down with reports at the post-show press conference. One outlet ended up asking Athena about her title reign and if it is more impressive than Goldberg’s undefeated streak.
Chatting with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp for a new interview, Athena admitted that she has always liked Goldberg.
“I don’t know. I mean, yes, it was the most famous question I’ve ever been asked, I guess. I don’t know. I always liked Goldberg. I love him in The Longest Yard. It’s one of favorite movies. I mean, when you look at the streak that Goldberg created, you’ve seen a lot of people emulate that and want that for themselves. So I don’t want to discredit like Goldberg and his legendary status because he’s awesome, phenomenal. Like there’s a reason why even when there’s someone that reminds them of Goldberg, they still do the same cadence of his chant because he was that guy and he’s still that guy for a lot of people, you know? I just thought the question when it happened, it was so [out of] left field. It was left field because we just got done with our biggest pay-per-view of the year and they’re asking me about something else as I’m watching All In.”
Athena went on to say that the question was a “little disrespectful” to an extent.
“I’m like, ‘Why are we not talking about me winning in my hometown right now? Why are we talking about someone else?’ I felt like the question was like a little disrespectful to an extent. Like not to harp on it, because I didn’t really think it was a big deal, but I don’t think a lot of things that come out of my mouth are a big deal a lot of times. But Goldberg is like a wrestling legend. People know his name from pop culture. He has transcended pro wrestling. So I will give him that. It was about me in that moment and I was a little bit more peeved because one, I genuinely had no clue what was going on the other side of fence. I just really had no clue. I was like, ‘Yo, we just had this like eight hour pay-per-view. Like, what are you talking about?’ Even then I’m like looking over people’s like, ‘Did something happen I’m supposed to know about?’ I was like, ‘What’s happening?’”
When it comes to being compared to Goldberg, Athena says that she is extremely flattered.
“But in that same breath, I’m extremely flattered to be compared to Goldberg, right? Because I haven’t been pinned or submitted in ROH as ROH Champion. So it’s something that I uphold and it’s something that I’m proud of as well. So it’s one of those weird things that I’m like, ‘I don’t really know what’s going on or whatever.’ But I do love Goldberg. I’d be dumb not to. I’ve tried the Jackhammer a few times. It was just a weird like question that I just wasn’t prepared to be asked in that hallway. Because I was like, ‘Okay, it’s about me, myself, I. We’re gonna get some, ‘When are you cashing in, girl?’ Then I’m like, ‘What? What is happening?’ But like, I love Goldberg. I really do. I can’t tell you how many movies I’ve seen of him. I can’t tell you how many matches that I’ve seen of him. It’s part of the reason I want to do the spear, but once again, I’m 5’1. I do throw a mean spear. But like I said, I have all the respect in the world for this guy. Just in that moment, I was like, ‘What are you doing?’ It was just weird and it caught me a little off guard. I was like, ‘It’s about me right now. We’re not talking about people that aren’t me.’”
Elsewhere in the interview, Athena talked about her wrestling influences/inspirations. Check out her full comments by clicking here.
Fans can check out Fightful’s full interview with Athena in the video linked at the top of this article.
