Interview: Candice LeRae on NXT Career, Shayna Baszler, Johnny Gargano

WWE.com held a recent interview with Candice LeRae discussing her NXT career, Shayna Baszler, working with Johnny Gargano in NXT, wanting to become a champion in WWE, and more.

On the topic of her NXT career, LeRae stated her childhood dream was to become a WWE Superstar. She also stated she is using her time in NXT to push herself into the next level as a wrestler.

My childhood dream was to be a WWE Superstar. Now that I am living that dream, I am discovering there is a whole new world of opportunity here in NXT. I have pushed myself to do things in the ring and in the gym that I used to be afraid to do or was uncomfortable with. I want to seize every opportunity NXT has to offer me, and when I do, I want to be ready for them. Being here has sparked something special in me to push me to the next level.

On the topic of the NXT Women’s Championship, LeRae stated she is focused on earning a NXT Women’s Championship match and getting revenge against Shayna Baszler for being disrespected at last year’s Mae Young Classic tournament.

I haven’t forgotten that match against Shayna in the Mae Young Classic. More importantly, I haven’t forgotten about how disrespectful Shayna was toward me and my husband after the match. Earning an NXT Women’s Championship opportunity is a reward, but to face Shayna, knowing that I could potentially be the one to dethrone her? it would be the cherry and sprinkles on top!

On the topic of working with her husband Johnny Gargano in NXT, LeRae stated the biggest benefit has been the ability to travel together. She also stated the biggest challenge has been trying to make her own impact as a star in the company.

A massive positive is that we can travel together! There were times before I got here where I would be wrestling in Japan or the United Kingdom for weeks at a time. Trying to talk to each other when I was basically a day into the future was challenging.

I half joke with him that my biggest challenge is trying to keep up with him. He’s just so talented. It puts this added pressure on me because I don’t want to be an embarrassment to Johnny. Plus, my husband worked so hard for his name, and I absolutely refuse to ride his coattails. I know I have a challenge in proving to the fans and my peers that I belong here too. I want to make a name for myself here in NXT because of my own work and not because of who my husband is.

On the topic of her biggest goal in NXT, LeRae stated she wants to prove to the world why she deserves to become a NXT Women’s champion one day.

It’s become bigger than not disappointing the 6-year-old girl inside of me. I have four nieces, and it is extremely important to me to be a good example for them. That isn’t limited to just making good life choices, but to also teaching them the importance of dreams. When I started to believe in myself and worked harder than ever before, I achieved my dream. I don’t ever want my nieces to doubt themselves. I never want them to think they can’t live their dreams. This quest for the NXT Women’s Championship is an absolute fairytale for me, and I will stop at nothing until I have my happily ever after.

Other topics discussed included LeRae’s early impressions of Johnny Gargano, Gargano’s helpful support towards her career, being a fan of wrestling since her childhood, and her career prior to joining the WWE.