Interview: Naomi on Survivor Series, SmackDown, Asuka, and Mixed Match Challenge

Newsweek held a recent interview with Naomi discussing this Sunday’s Survivor Series, preferring SmackDown over RAW, being paired with Asuka, and the current season of WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge.

On the topic of this Sunday’s Survivor Series event, Naomi stated she is looking forward to competing in this year’s Women’s Survivor Series match due to Survivor Series itself being one of her favorite events in the WWE.

Survivor Series is one of my favorite pay-per-views because I’m Smackdown strong, I bleed blue. I’ve been my most successful since being on SmackDown. It is so fun to be able to go against RAW like we did this week when we jumped the girls. It’s one of the most exciting pay-per-views for me, so I’m looking forward to going against the other Total Divas and show them who the best side is.

On the topic of going back to the RAW brand for her career, Naomi stated she would rather stay on SmackDown if given the choice due to being very happy with her career on the brand.

I’m super happy with where I am right now. They say RAW is the “A-Show” but I truly believe SmackDown is. It’s an amazing show and I love all the people I work with. Eventually I would love to hold the RAW title at some point before I retire or make that transition. But right now, absolutely not. I love SmackDown. Whether my husband were to go to RAW, that would lead the open the door as to if I would or want to go. Who knows? But right now, SmackDown is where it’s at.

On the topic of being paired with Asuka, Naomi praised Asuka for being both an amazing performer and friend to be around with in the WWE.

It’s truly a gift. I’ve always been a fan of Asukas. I didn’t get to know her until she came to SmackDown. I remember thinking when everything went down, “I hope we get Asuka” and then we got her. I lost it. I think she’s probably my favorite woman on the roster, work wise. She’s so experienced, so talented, so smart. I love everything about Asuka. And everyone loves Asuka. She’s an amazing performer, worker, mother and friend. Genuinely, she is the best. I can see myself growing and learning so much with her. She’s done it all and she’s the toughest woman I know.

On the topic of WWE’s rumored Women’s Tag Team Championship, Naomi stated she believes WWE might debut the belts next year and hopes to become the inaugural tag team champions with Asuka.

Right now we’re just having fun. I’ve heard the rumors and maybe we will get tag titles. I’m hoping and praying we do at some point. I don’t see it happening in 2018, but maybe in 2019. I just hope it happens before I retire and before I leave, because I want to be the first to hold them with Asuka.

On the topic of the prizes for winning this season of WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge series, Naomi stated she would go on a vacation to Maui with her husband Jimmy Uso if they won. She also stated if she won next year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match, she would want to face off against Becky Lynch for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

That’s two very good questions. When Jon and I got married, we got married on Total Divas in Maui and we literally flew out the next day to a show in Dayton, Ohio. So we never got a honeymoon. So we would probably go back to Maui and actually have a honeymoon.

If I were to win the Rumble, I’d want to face the champ, Becky Lynch. Because she’s the baddest man, right? [laughs]