Taynara Conti talks about the "Released" shirt she wore at an NXT live event months ago.
Back in February, Conti reportedly walked out on NXT, only to come back weeks later at a live event wearing a shirt that read "Released." The shirt drew plenty of attention and when talking to Ring The Belle, Conti said the shirt was to symbolize her being released from her previous character and to show a new side to her.
When it comes to her walking out on NXT, Conti said the relationship between her and the company was good when she returned. Once there was social media speculation on her being released from WWE, Conti said she wanted to turn it into a storyline, which was rejected. This led to her wanting to at least try out the "Released" t-shirt at live events.
"I got a couple of weeks away and we were okay. I was like, 'We're going to try one more time. Opportunities are going to come.' They told me, 'We'll be laughing about this in the future.' I was feeling good. The same day, they started putting on social media that I was released. I was like, 'I don't get it. Why are you putting on social media that I got release if I'm okay with you guys?' They were like, 'Don't worry, it's just someone putting that one social media.' I'm thinking, 'If people are saying that, let's make it a storyline.' They keep saying no all the time. So, I didn't ask. I made my t-shirt. Of course, I didn't put it on TV. But live events, you're supposed to try new stuff. So, I didn't ask. I just showed up with the t-shirt. Before I did the entrance, I told the producer, 'I'm using this t-shirt, is that a problem?' I didn't ask before so they had time to think and say no. I was ready [to make my entrance when I asked]. They were like, 'I don't know.' I said, 'If someone gets mad, say it was my choice.' 'Okay, it's on you.' Of course, they didn't like it, so I was not able to use it anymore. I had a backstory. I was trying to say I'm 'released' from who I was before, then I will be able to show my new character. If you watch the match, you can see that I'm different in the ring when I'm wearing my shirt," Conti said.
Conti would then go on to be released from WWE in April as part of the long list of layoffs that involved wrestlers, producers and agents.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit Jeremy Lambert for the transcription.