Posted on 8/19/125 by Phil Johnson
Former WWE star Aliyah sat down with PWMania.com for an
exclusive interview, opening up about her record-breaking
WWE moment, advice for the next generation of NXT talent,
her plans after leaving the company, and more. You can read
the entire interview by clicking here.
Here are some highlights:
On capturing the fastest victory in WWE history (3.17
seconds):
"I wasn’t their main star, the one they were actively trying
to highlight. So the fact that I did what I did and got the
reaction I got? That just goes to show the crowd connected
with me for what I represented. I was the one-of-one, and
that’s powerful.
More than the record itself, it proved that despite a lack
of wins, storyline setbacks, or where I was positioned on
the card, I could still make the audience feel something
real. That’s not easy these days, with everything feeling so
similar and controlled. But when the crowd reacts like that,
it reminds me that authenticity, persistence, and being
unapologetically yourself can resonate stronger than
anything."
Advice for NXT stars grinding in developmental:
"My biggest advice is to lock in. There’s a lot of noise and
distraction, and you need the focus to rise above it. One
tool that helped me tremendously was Jack Canfield’s The
Success Principles. I read it almost every day while in NXT
and still do today.
Being in developmental for six years isn’t easy — it can
test your confidence, your patience, and even your love for
the business. But it taught me discipline and gave me the
tools I needed to make it through. For anyone chasing a big
dream against the odds, staying disciplined and finding ways
to keep yourself motivated is everything."
On life after WWE and why she’s ‘not done yet’:
"I’ve always felt like my best is yet to come, which is why
I know I’m not done yet. I’m still too athletic, talented,
beautiful, and marketable to retire this young — it just
doesn’t make sense.
My first appearance outside WWE, I DJed — I’d never done it
before — and I sold the place out. I had everyone singing
and dancing, and I didn’t even have to wrestle to have
people react. That’s real power and influence. I’ve also
competed in show jumping with my horse, winning multiple
ribbons and championships across Florida. The sky is truly
the limit for me."
Aliyah also discussed breaking barriers as the first Arab
woman to main event SmackDown, her parents’ journey from
doubt to support, and the creative ways she’s channeling her
energy after WWE. You can check out the complete interview
at this link.