Ruby Riott was shelved with an injury for the majority of 2019. She returned on the February 3rd, 2020 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw to betray her former Riot Squad running mate, Liv Morgan.
In a video released exclusively on WWE's YouTube channel, Ruby discusses her time off and opens up about having two torn labrums for the entirety of her career, as well as being forced to confront her mental health issues during her time away and how that has overall affected her coming back to WWE.
"I had double shoulder surgery, two torn labrums that they told me were 10 years old," Ruby said. "So basically, I had them ever since I started training, so I've never known what it's like to wrestle with good shoulders. I have all range of motion that I was very limited with for a very long time. And I put it off for years and years and years and years because I didn't want to step away. I think, one because I loved it, but two because I knew that on the other side of that, there was going to be some things I had to come face to face but, now I feel great. When you step away from this, especially because this lifestyle is so fast-paced, it's go, go, go, go on to the next thing, on to the next thing. I used wrestling, even though I loved it like I loved it from the moment that I was wheeled away for surgery. And I said I still love it. Like I've never had any problem with wrestling or my job but I used it as a distraction to not have to face some things that I should have faced a long time ago. You know, I do have anxiety and I suffer from ADHD and depression and stuff like that. So it was stuff that I no longer had a distraction for. It was right in front of me. So I got help. I saw a doctor and therapist. And I feel incredible. And I feel great. I am very much looking forward to using wrestling as what it was always meant to be. Which is not a distraction anymore. It's my purpose. I and showing the world who I am, who a healthy version of me really is."
Furthermore, Ruby would speak about the nervousness that comes with professional wrestlers returning to the ring because there is uncertainty concerning whether or not there is still a spot for them within their promotion.
?There is a fear there. I think that that's the scariest part is the unknown of where I fit in. But that's also the most empowering part about, if they don't have a place for me, I'm gonna make a place, you know, when you're on the road to recovery, I feel like you have like a goal in mind and like a day in mind. Like that's the end result. Like, that's what it's all for, you know. And then you build it up in your head. And then in that moment, it can go the exact way that you planned it, which very rarely does it ever. I just hope that whatever I do and however I come back that I remind people exactly why I'm here and who I am,? she?d say.
Ruby Riott?s next move can be seen on Monday Night Raw. The February 10th episode will feature a major 8-man tag team bout. Learn more about that here.
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