​Raw Meets World Part 2 (Raquel Rodriguez & Maxxine Dupri)

Summary

Pod Meets World: RAW Meets World Part 2 (Raquel Rodriguez & Maxxine Dupri)

Podcast: Pod Meets World | Date: August 3, 2026
Episode Description: A special WWE crossover as Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle interview wrestling superstars Raquel Rodriguez and Maxxine Dupri. The hosts explore each guest’s journey, backstage bonds, legacy, and the future of women in wrestling.

---

Episode Overview

This lively episode sees the Pod Meets World crew take a detour from TGIF nostalgia to the spectacle of WWE RAW, as they conduct interviews at the Intuit Dome. They speak first with powerhouse Raquel Rodriguez and later with the dynamic Maxxine Dupri about their careers, challenges, and what it takes to shine in the evolving landscape of women’s professional wrestling.

---

Key Segment 1: Raquel Rodriguez Interview

[05:36–34:45]

Introduction & Vibe

• Danielle gives Raquel a vibrant intro: “Her future is so bright, she has to wear shades. Please welcome to POD Meets World Raquel Rodriguez.” (05:36)
• Raquel is immediately game: “What an introduction. Oh, my gosh.” (05:36)

Judgment Day Camaraderie & Locker Room Chemistry

• Raquel discusses close relationships in Judgment Day: “It's really hard to get work done when we do have to be serious, because...once the jokes start, the jokes don’t stop.” (06:25)
• Shares a meme about parrots at the zoo being separated for heckling, likening it to her group’s chaos. (06:46)

Tag Team Bond with Liv Morgan

• Raquel opens up about her partnership with Liv Morgan: “When Liv and I are together, we make the most of every situation. I honestly can't imagine doing anything without her in this business ever again...she’s literally my sister. Literally.” (07:47-08:21)
• Discusses their wild schedules and adventures, emphasizing genuine friendship.

Injury Stories & Resilience

• Danielle recalls the infamous "headbutt from hell" and Liv’s forehead bump.
• Raquel laughs about it, but reflects on wrestling’s dangers: “That night she (Liv) was laughing...I was like, payback, right? I’m gonna get a picture with me pointing and laughing at her. But then...how serious it was…it still hasn't gone away.” (09:27-10:05)
• Explains treatment: lymphatic massage, cupping, possible lidocaine shots. (10:19)

Wrestling Family & Upbringing

• Raquel on being a second-generation wrestler: “My dad would always tell us...when we’re outside watching the show, ‘don’t call me dad, especially if he’s the bad guy. Don’t cheer for me.’” (14:59)
• Shared memories of wrestling culture, kayfabe, and enduring colorful personalities in the ring.

Representing Women & Homecomings

• Growing up inspired by Chyna and Beth Phoenix: “They were like bigger girls like me. So it made me feel a lot more comfortable with being my size at my age.” (16:34)
• Surreal full-circle moment working Survivor Series with John Cena: “I was like, wow, this is like a full 360 surreal moment for me as well.” (17:19)
• Describes wrestling in her Texas hometown, sharing the experience proudly with friends and family. (17:35-18:04)

Birth of the Sunglasses Gimmick

• Danielle notes Raquel's signature shades—origin?
  • “It was Liv’s idea...we’re gonna make them a moment. Despite what other people were telling me, I was like, no, they’re gonna be a thing.” (18:28-19:09)
• Social media content from her Ray-Bans has become a hit.

Goals, Advice, & Women’s Empowerment

• Raquel hopes to “break the box” for girls back home: “I want them to know there's more opportunities...if you just give yourself the time and the patience...” (29:02)
• On the importance of the Mae Young Classic to her and women’s wrestling: “Bringing women to the front page...it really opened the doors for so many women across the world.” (29:58-31:01)
• Greatest career changes? “Definitely confidence.” (31:09)
• Advice for the new generation: “Never feel discouraged...perseverance is the biggest word I can use.” (32:17)
• Big goals for 2027: “To get a singles title...and hopefully main event WrestleMania. That’s always going to be on my goal chart.” (33:25-33:31)

Notable Quotes

• On Liv Morgan: “She’s literally my sister. Literally.” (08:18)
• On her dad’s legacy: “Don’t call me dad, especially if he's the bad guy. Don’t cheer for me.” (14:59)
• Advice to future wrestlers: “The most joy you can find is within the journey itself and within the people that you get to meet.” (32:17-33:17)

---

Key Segment 2: Maxxine Dupri Interview

[38:38–60:10]

Introduction & Early Dance Passion

• Danielle introduces Maxxine as “one of the most improved WWE Superstars of this era.”
• Maxxine started dancing at age 3, competing seriously from age 10: “Dance was my favorite passion little baby I ever had. I was in love with it.” (40:18)

From Dance to WWE—An Unusual Path

• Maxxine didn’t grow up watching WWE, but fell in love with Total Divas: “They are stunning. They're badass. They have all these businesses. I was just really infatuated with them.” (41:41)
• Inspired by her grandpa: “My grandpa told me, ‘You can’t be in WWE unless you can do a kip up.’ And I was like, say less, papa. Went outside at Thanksgiving and showed him.” (42:09)

Entrepreneurship & Resilience

• Started a clothing line (“Jaunty”) and opened a brick-and-mortar store at 24: “Both my parents are entrepreneurs...so I always had this instilled in me.” (44:28-44:37)
• Moved the store online after signing with WWE, recognizing the need to focus on one passion. (45:56)

WWE Tryouts & The Steep Learning Curve

• Maxxine describes the grueling WWE tryout: “They're trying to get you to be like, so exhausted...to see, are you going to quit or are you going to enjoy this?” (49:36)
• Cut her teeth as a manager before wrestling, often not speaking much on TV: “I was just there. Like, I would point and then Von Wagner would beat someone up, and I was like, what's going on?” (51:50)

Overcoming Criticism & Finding Her Groove

• Battled a fractured ankle, being called up to the main roster, new name (“Maxxine Dupree”), little experience, and high heels—“I always say that day, God intervened. After that first day on the main roster...thankfully, it got changed to this two sentence backstage...I would have gotten through it, but it would have been horrific.” (51:55–53:02)
• Candidly reflects on criticism and learning: “When I first got called up, I had so much anxiety...I almost would go home and not want to watch anything.” (53:51)

Mentors, Role Models, and Favorite Eras

• Massive Nikki Bella fan: “Anything Nikki’s doing, anything the divas are doing, you know, I love Stacey Keebler. I love watching AJ Lee, I love it all.” (54:56-55:05)
• Credits Becky Lynch as a turning point: “When I started working with Becky...that really changed things around for me.” (55:38)

Locker Room Culture & Being a Heel

• Emphasizes empowering atmosphere for women: “When you come into this locker room and you’re eager to learn…we all feel the same way about, you know, lifting each other up. We’re all rising together.” (56:57–57:14)
• Revels in her heel character: “I don’t care about these people. I love hearing them upset. Like, y’all made me upset for years. Take that. Enjoy it. I do not care. I love it.” (57:51–58:00)

Notable Quotes

• On starting her clothing brand: “When I opened the storefront, four months later, I got signed and I had to move to Orlando...if you spread yourself too thin, you can’t be amazing at any of it.” (44:28-46:16)
• On the tryout: “They're like, fight dogs. Exactly.” (49:30)
• On being booed: “I don’t care about these people. I love hearing them upset.” (57:51)

The Future: Dreams and Up-and-Comers

• Maxxine eyes a showdown with Sol Ruka: “She probably does think that it's sitting right at home, but it won't be for long.” (58:37-59:04)
• Shouts out future women’s stars in NXT: “Jada Parker...Lola Vice, Kalani, Kendall Gray…Kelly Armstrong.” (59:31–59:53)

---

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Raquel Rodriguez on perseverance:
  “Perseverance is the biggest word I can use to describe the one characteristics any wrestler would need in this business.” (32:17)

• Maxxine Dupri’s joy in her villainy:
  “I love hearing them upset. Like, y’ all made me upset for years. Take that. Enjoy it.” (57:51)

• Danielle on the group dynamic:
  “It does seem like the two of you are a group I'd want to hang out with. Like, can I be the third here?” (08:26)

• Raquel on inspiration and confidence:
  “To know that I belong in that position, you know what I mean? To know that I'm part of that group...I feel like I gained so much confidence...” (31:09)

---

Key Timestamps

• 05:36 - Raquel Rodriguez introduction
• 07:44 - Raquel on Liv Morgan and their close bond
• 09:03 - “Headbutt from hell” - Liv’s injury and coping in-ring
• 14:59 - Growing up in the wrestling business (family stories)
• 29:58 - Mae Young Classic reflections
• 31:09 - How Raquel’s confidence grew
• 32:17 - Advice for aspiring wrestlers
• 33:25 - 2027 goals: singles title, WrestleMania main event
• 38:38 - Maxxine Dupri introduction
• 40:18 - Early competitive dance background
• 41:41 - Loving Total Divas
• 44:28 - Entrepreneurship and balancing passions
• 49:36 - WWE tryouts: the grind
• 51:50 - First roles as a manager, then sudden promotion
• 55:38 - Turning point working with Becky Lynch
• 57:51 - Maxxine loves being booed
• 59:31 - Next-gen NXT talent to watch

---

Closing Thoughts

The episode gives a heartfelt, insightful look at two rising stars in WWE, highlighting the importance of real friendships, resilience, and constant growth both in and out of the ring. Raquel champions tradition, empowerment, and perseverance, while Maxxine embodies reinvention and tenacity—with both inspiring the next generation.
For fans of Boy Meets World, wrestling, or stories of bold women carving new spaces for themselves—this one is unmissable.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.

[Danielle Fishel]

Listen to this horror story. I threw a summer barbecue.

[Ryder Strong]

We were not invited.

[Danielle Fishel]

Not important. A few hours before it started, we realized our grill was broken.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, man.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Will Friedle]

No, no, no, not the grill. It's that we weren't invited.

[Ryder Strong]

I know, right?

[Danielle Fishel]

I didn't know what to do. Then I remembered Lowe's. With Mylo's Rewards and Mylo's Pro Rewards, members get free same day delivery. All you have to do is place your order and Lowe's handles the rest, no matter how stressful.

[Ryder Strong]

Okay, where did you send the invitations?

[Danielle Fishel]

The point is, Lowe's will make the run for you, making your busy day somehow easier.

[Will Friedle]

Hey, Will, do you want to throw a barbecue? I mean, we'll use Lowe's.

[Ryder Strong]

Yes, because members get more at Lowe's. And I know exactly who not to invite.

[Danielle Fishel]

Members get more at Lowe's. $25 minimum and loyalty membership required. Order eligible items by 2pm Subject to weight and size restrictions and availability terms@lowe's.com shippingter terms. One thing I never expected to be passionate about was a toilet.

[Daniel]

Oh, we're a big toilet household.

[Ryder Strong]

It's more important than your bed.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, when I saw the Kohler Smart Toilet collection, it completely changed how I think about using the bathroom.

[Will Friedle]

The Kohlervale Smart toilet especially feels more like a beautifully designed piece of the room than something purely functional. It's sleek, modern, understated, and it really makes you realize how much thoughtful design can transform everyday routines.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, that's what I love about Kohler. They've been redefining bathroom design for more than 150 years. And their smart toilets really show how innovation can work in a way that feels elevated, not overdone.

[Danielle Fishel]

A cleaner routine and a cleaner space can just about change everything.

[Will Friedle]

Experience the difference of Kohler Smart toilets. Find out [e-mail] maintenance fee overdraft fee

[Ryder Strong]

Minimum balance fee Maximum balance fee Banking fees are just part of modern life. Or are they?

[Will Friedle]

They're not at Ally Bank. At Ally bank, there are no tricks, no hidden fine print or jumping through hoops for better rates.

[Ryder Strong]

They just want to help you save automatically while you spend with spending accounts and savings tools with great rates.

[Will Friedle]

No tricks, no hidden fees. Banking built for life today. Learn [e-mail] Ally bank member FDIC dry

[Commercial Announcer]

eyes still feel gritty, rough or tired with mybo eyes can feel my bo.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

Perflorahexaloctane ophthalmic solution is used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. It's the only prescription dry eye drop that forms a protective layer for the number one, too much tear evaporation so eyes can find relief. That's. Don't use if allergic to Maibo. Remove contacts before using and wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back in. Eye redness and blurred vision may occur. For more info, talk to your eye doctor. Call 1-844-MEIBO yeah or visit meibo.com.

[Danielle Fishel]

As promised, we have a second episode of A POD Meets World side Quest. We have two more interviews from the Intuit Dome where WWE RAW was in. In Los Angeles. We had so much fun talking to Raquel Rodriguez. Will's biting his lift. I'm not. I'm not gonna just be too obvious

[Ryder Strong]

about it, but I'm not saying anything.

[Daniel]

I enjoyed the interview.

[Ryder Strong]

I know. Let's just leave it at that.

[Danielle Fishel]

There was a big smile on your face.

[Ryder Strong]

I enjoyed the interview. I know.

[Danielle Fishel]

She.

[Daniel]

She's super cool.

[Danielle Fishel]

She is something.

[Daniel]

Such a great personality.

[Danielle Fishel]

Such.

[Daniel]

She's just such a force.

[Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And it doesn't help that she is gorgeous.

[Ryder Strong]

I'm not saying anything.

[Daniel]

I think she was. It was a very fun interview.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know you. You enjoyed it maybe more than most. So we have two episodes for you in this episode, two interviews for you. In this episode. We have Raquel Rodriguez and we are finishing it off with Maxine Dupre. So stick around. Listen to both of those. We had a great time. Thank you all for listening. Enjoy. POD meets. She's a member of the illustrious Judgment Day faction. First hired as the muscle to make sure Liv Morgan's always running mouth. Only got her in a little bit of trouble, but she's since morphed into a personality that somehow matches her size. A staple on Raw, she recently ran through a fatal four way with Bailey, J.C. jane and Kiana Jane, like it was an appetizer. Beat Iyo sky in the semis and got within inches of forcing Sol Ruka to wipe out and hand over that women's intercontinental title she deserves. She's a record setting 6 time WWE tag team title holder and a former NXT champ and the woman I want standing next to me when someone steals my parking spot at Whole Foods. Her future is so bright, she has to wear shades. Please welcome to POD Meets World Raquel Rodriguez.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

What an introduction. Oh, my gosh.

[Daniel]

I love how you're ripping through people. And she's still at Whole Foods.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

You know, let me know when you're going to Whole Foods. I'll be there. I'll wipe through anyone like an appetizer yet again.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, thank you. I do appreciate that. Welcome to Pod Meats World. We are thrilled to have you on the show. I am a Judgment day Stan, your partner in crime, Liv Morgan, is the official Pod meets world champ. We gave her that title.

[Daniel]

She hasn't lost the belt yet.

[Danielle Fishel]

She hasn't lost the belt yet. So we have high expectations for you.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Okay. This is great. I love this. For us. We'll keep it in the Judgment Day house.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's right. I think one of the reasons fans gravitate to the Judgment Day is that it genuinely seems like you guys are close friends. What has it been like developing a close bond with co workers? Because we are still working on that.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah, yeah. It's tough, but you know what I mean. I think because we were all hand selected by Dominic, by Liv. It was a very interesting group with our characteristics. We just all just seem to gel so well with each other. And honestly, it's really hard to get work done when we do have to be serious. Because I mean, I'm sure, as you guys know, the Once the jokes start, the jokes don't stop.

[Daniel]

The giggles will start quite a bit.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I saw a meme and I reposted it not too long ago, but it said these five parrots were separated at a zoo because they were heckling people as they were coming in. And I was like, wow, that feels like us.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

You're like, we weren't at Saturday night main event where Jake wrestled Danhausen. Me and Roxanne were there and I was like, I feel like I've been separated from my birds.

[Danielle Fishel]

Terrible. They're like, we cannot let them there together. We know what will happen.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It's gonna be too much trouble. I mean, I think if Roxanne and I were there, we could have definitely handled those mini Danhausens easily.

[Danielle Fishel]

I think you're right for sure about that. The mini Danhausen's needed.

[Ryder Strong]

Should you have handled Daniellehausen, though?

[Daniel]

That's the question.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

That's right. You were there too. I was, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Daniellehausen.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

That's a good question. I haven't had a chance to interact with her yet, so we'll see what. What's to unfold later.

[Daniel]

Crazy.

[Danielle Fishel]

You and Liv especially seem like you're having fun. I wanted to show you one instance here. This is in Las Vegas. It's a Wrestlemania after party and I love it.

[Ryder Strong]

Yes.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Thank you.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Us as tag champions too. Yeah. We were invited to Club Live to be like hosts that night. Mind you, we had like a whole day I think we were at Smackdown. So we got there super, super late. By the time we were ready and it was like 2am have to be up at 6am but honestly, like, when Liv and I are together, we just, we make the most of every situation. We have so much fun. I honestly can't imagine doing anything without her in this business ever again. Truly. Like, my story with her started off in a way that was like, we didn't think we'd be this tight. You know, we're just like workers and we work together. And then we just got so close. And we got so close so fast that she's literally my sister. Literally.

[Daniel]

That's awesome.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah. So you have to protect your little sister. You know, it's just the big sister in me has to do it.

[Danielle Fishel]

It does seem like the two of you are a group of want to hang out with. Like, I. I'm like, can I be the third here?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yes. Join our. Join our clique.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

We all go to Whole Foods together. No one will mess with us. You imagine us at Whole Foods?

[Danielle Fishel]

Could you imagine?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

What about Trader Joe's? Talk about, you know, fights in the parking lot.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah. Yeah. They better watch out at Trader Joe's because I don't play if you're going to steal my coconut water.

[Ryder Strong]

I feel like I have very little

[Daniel]

to add to this conversation. I'm going to be totally honest.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I'm sorry. We'll find a spot for you.

[Daniel]

We'll find.

[Commercial Announcer]

Okay.

[Ryder Strong]

Okay, good.

[Daniel]

That's good.

[Danielle Fishel]

I want you to. To take us back to April. The headbutt from hell.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Liv and Roxanne Perez accidentally collide. And I was very scared watching it from home. Now everyone has seen Liv's tennis ball sized bump on her forehead. You were there staring at it in person. I'm sure she's asking, does.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Does it look okay?

[Ryder Strong]

Can you see anything? Is there a mark?

[Danielle Fishel]

Are you terrified? What are you telling her in the moment?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

In the moment, you know, because she was okay and she was stand and everything seemed fine. I was kind of laughing inside just because a couple months before, I had a match with Stephanie and with Nikki Bella and Nikki Bella pushed me into the steps and I also hit my head and also got a little egg. And that night she was laughing, right? And we took a picture with her pointing and laughing at it and I was like, oh, payback, Right? I'm gonna get a picture with me pointing and laughing at her. But then to see how serious it was and how it still hasn't gone away. And all those things, like, in the moment, I feel like I should have felt a little bit more stupid. But you were just so excited. I was so excited that all three of us, as the Judgment Day now each had an egg. You know what I mean? I was like, we're even now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh. Yes. It.

[Ryder Strong]

I mean, has it not fully gone away yet?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

No, not fully. Like, she still has a little tiny bit, but they've been doing a lot of therapy and stuff, so it is. It's coming down, thankfully.

[Danielle Fishel]

What is the therapy for that? Is it. Is it massage?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah. Like lymphatic or cupping, I think, is what they're doing here. I think she talked about getting maybe, like, a lidocaine shot just to help it as well. Hopefully she doesn't need surgery for something like that, but I just hope it keeps going down. Yeah, it's been since April. That's a lot since.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's a long time. And cupping leaves a nice little.

[Ryder Strong]

So you're like, yeah, go ahead, pop

[Danielle Fishel]

this cup on my forehead.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

And almost every night. After all, when she does do her therapy, she always asks me for my bandana, too, that I just wrestled in, because it puts the pressure to keep it down as well. And so I'm like, you need to wear it on the plane. You need to wear it all the time.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. It's a compression sock for her head.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Exactly. So she's pulling a Raquel Rodriguez at night. In case anyone was wondering, I love.

[Danielle Fishel]

If you had to choose one other WWE Superstar to join Judgment Day. Oh, who are you picking?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

This is tough. This is tough. Is it a female? Is it another male?

[Daniel]

Good question. Up to you.

[Danielle Fishel]

You could pick one of each, if you want. If you want to say, like, if

[Daniel]

I. Yeah, if there were five birds at the zoo.

[Danielle Fishel]

Five.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yes.

[Daniel]

So then who. You could make five. Who would. Who's gonna be.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, man. I feel like the guys. Because we're such a heavy. We're big, heavy women. Judgment Day right now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I think the guys need some muscle on their side. Not the. JD And Dominic aren't strong. They're very muscular men. The most manliest men on Raw.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. No one more manly.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

No, no. I mean, you see J.D. look at that guy walking around carrying that big old head of his. Like, that takes a lot of neck muscles. Love you, J.D.

[Danielle Fishel]

his traps are strong.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

His traps are real strong. Oh, man. You know, I like, almost. Almost just joined Dominic on Triple A. I don't know if you guys saw. So, like, he'd be a good heavy hitter. For muscle. We're going for the women to hopefully take advantage of.

[Danielle Fishel]

We're going to AAA in September in Vegas.

[Ryder Strong]

Are you really?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah. Oh.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Just waiting.

[Daniel]

I'm not going.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, no. We're taking our kids.

[Daniel]

They're taking the kids. I don't get invited to the fun stuff.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Well, yeah. It's because you're not one of the kids.

[Daniel]

I know, exactly.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know.

[Daniel]

I'm treated like one of the kids.

[Danielle Fishel]

Do you want to come?

[Daniel]

No.

[Danielle Fishel]

He doesn't like Vegas. Vegas. Vegas is.

[Daniel]

Vegas is a little rough for me.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Vegas is a lot.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, Vegas is a lot.

[Daniel]

Vegas is a lot.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I'll tell you, the smartest thing we did this WrestleMania was not stay in a casino.

[Commercial Announcer]

Right.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Not that I don't love the casinos. I think they're great and everything, but, like, just to escape the energy for a little bit, you know, just to get away and have, like, a moment.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Daniel]

No, my first ever wrestling event was here.

[Maxine Dupree]

Oh.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

In LA was.

[Ryder Strong]

No, in the premiere.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It was Netflix Raw.

[Ryder Strong]

Netflix.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh.

[Daniel]

And it was. It was. I mean, what a night. It was phenomenal.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

That was a crazy night.

[Daniel]

Yeah, it was great.

[Will Friedle]

Great.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's pretty incredible.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It was.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

We've only taken him to good ones since then. WrestleMania, you know, he only goes to the Flashes. Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

That's why you're here tonight, right?

[Ryder Strong]

Of course.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Because you're going to watch me become the new intercontinental women's champion.

[Danielle Fishel]

We've heard it here.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It's a big episode.

[Daniel]

We heard it here first.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right? Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

You picked a good one. Yeah. She's going down.

[Ad Voice]

She's going down.

[Danielle Fishel]

You got to hold the belt.

[Daniel]

Yeah, I just held the belt.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, you did? I did.

[Danielle Fishel]

So I just want you to know we gave it good luck for you.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Thank you.

[Daniel]

Yeah, thank you.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I know you did because you're technically a Judgment Day girly and you're on the line of.

[Daniel]

Because I'm a judgement Day.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Totally.

[Daniel]

Totally.

[Danielle Fishel]

He's a girly.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

He's a Judgment Day girly.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, he's a Judgment Day girl.

[Daniel]

I don't want to let you in on any secrets, but she's got, like, this. This serious ending move. It's the Soul Snatcher.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I think I felt it once.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, but she said.

[Daniel]

And again, not picking sides. She said no one's reversed it on her yet.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Interesting. Okay, well, could be me.

[Daniel]

I'm just saying.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

She also hasn't felt is my Tejana bomb. So let's just see how quickly she can get out of that one today.

[Ryder Strong]

I hope they name it they're gonna

[Daniel]

name a drink after that. I hope, right?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I hope so.

[Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I would like that. Something with tequila.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Feels great.

[Daniel]

Perfect name for a drink.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Thank you. Almost like a tequila, but Tejana Bomb.

[Danielle Fishel]

I do love that.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Is it giving? Like Irish Car Bomb, but more of like. Have you ever had a Mexican Car Bomb?

[Daniel]

No.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, this was something new for me a couple years ago. So it's a Mexican beer, maybe like a Modelo. And then you get Tequila. Whatever tequila you want. And for the cream part, because you know how the Irish Car Bombs have, Like that Bailey's.

[Daniel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

There's something called Rumchata. Have you had Rumchata?

[Daniel]

No.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, your life is going to be rich and rum.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It's so good.

[Daniel]

And then you drop the shot in the. Oh, man.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

And then down the half, it tastes like cinnamon. Like horchata, kind of. And then you mix it with your hot chocolate during Christmas. Oh, it's the best. It's the best. Don't get me started.

[Danielle Fishel]

We're talking Christmas beverages.

[Daniel]

It could be.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

But the Tejada Bomb will be a year round, I think, year round for everyone to enjoy.

[Daniel]

Because that's a great idea for a drink.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

We'll make it happen.

[Daniel]

Okay.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Daniel]

Great.

[Danielle Fishel]

You are a second generation wrestler. Yes. Your dad performed locally in Texas. What are your earliest memories around the ring?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, man, a lot of my earliest memories have been in the ring with him and him just picking us up for, like lifts and stuff, running the ropes. My favorite memories are, though, when we get to the shows and he always tells us, you know, when we're outside watching the show, he's like, you don't call me dad. Don't call me dad when you're out there, especially if he's the bad guy. And don't cheer for me. He'll tell us, don't cheer for me. But my sister and I being us, I remember us standing up in the back watching him make his entrance the night of the show on a table, just like 10 or 11 years old, probably standing on a table. Let's go, dad. And I would just remember looking over and him being like, now does he

[Danielle Fishel]

not want you to call him dad? Because automatically, a man with kids in the audience, you have a hard time thinking of him as a heel.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I think so, yes. And I think it was also still, they had that kayfabe back then, you know what I mean? And so like back then, too, when my dad wrestled, nobody, the heels and the baby faces were separated the entire time. They never talked, never touched Each other.

[Danielle Fishel]

You were not allowed to be friends.

[Ryder Strong]

Interesting.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah, yeah. Not allowed to friends, not allowed to mingle or anything like that. So it was very, very different then. So the shows that we would watch were just always so entertaining because the characters were over the top. I remember we had a guy called the English Bulldog, I think, but he came out with like a leash and his dog biscuits. He gave me a dog biscuit one time and I was like, oh, this can't be real dog food. Bit into it. It was real dog food. My sister, she was always with the hottest wrestlers too. She would always be like, shotgun, that one's mine. Shotgun, that one's mine. I'm like, shotgun. I don't even get a chance. She'd be calling them out right before I even get a chance to decide if I think they're cute or not. So we had so many fun memories just traveling with him and doing that.

[Daniel]

So then other than your dad, who was your favorite wrestler growing up?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I think because I was watching the Attitude era at that time. I love China, I love Beth Phoenix because they were like bigger girls like me. So it made me feel a lot more comfortable with being my size at my age. I loved watching Stone Cold just because he was so much fun driving in. Yeah, yeah, he was so much fun. Randy Orton too, just because I thought he was the best looking man in WWF at the moment.

[Ryder Strong]

Respect.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Respect, Randy. And I loved John Cena too. I remember I had his inflatable hand. The first time I went to a WWE show, I was in high school. And they came down to where I'm from on the border of Texas. And you know, we don't go down there that often. Cause it's such a rural part of the states. And so when they came down when I was in high school, I was like, oh my God. My first WWE show. Bought the hand, went to Whataburger after just to hear that John Cena stopped at Whatab. I was like, this is insane.

[Daniel]

Oh, that's so funny.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

So getting to like work with him at Survivor Series for me too. I was like, wow, this is like a full 360 surreal moment for me as well. Like, it was just really crazy. But I'm so grateful that I get those kinds of opportunities and it wouldn't happen without my family in Judgment Day.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, well. Since you've hit the heights, have you

[Daniel]

been able to go back to your hometown and kind of wrestle in that area?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I have, I have. We have live events. So I'm down where I graduated from is called Hidalgo, Texas, and it's right on the border. And they literally built an arena there when I was in high school to have more events, to have, like, B team, NBA teams come down and play, to have WWE come concerts and all that stuff. So we since have been able to go for live events. And it's been so amazing and just heartwarming to like, take my. My friends from work. Oh, let's go have tacos here. And hey, I know where they make the best breakfast tacos. You guys gotta get breakfast tacos.

[Ryder Strong]

Did people that you grew up with

[Daniel]

come and watch you wrestle?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yes. Yeah. I had people from high school hit me up and message me and, like, go and meet them and see their kids, you know? Cause so many of them have kids and families now that it's. It's so different. It's such a big difference going back home, but. But it's amazing. Every time I get that opportunity is cool.

[Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Daniel]

Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

I started this. I started your intro wearing sunglasses. Where did they come from? Because they feel like they've become a bit of a calling card for your character.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah, they have. And you know what? It was Liv's idea.

[Danielle Fishel]

Really?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It was Liv's idea. Yeah. Yeah. So when we were tagging before she got injured, before I kind of went through my medical illness year, she was like, you should try wearing sunglasses here and there. And we were still baby faces at the time. So I did. There's like a picture of me in my. Our matching yellow tag team outfits, and I have, like, these silver shades, just trying to be cool. But then when I came back, I was like, no, we're gonna try again. We're gonna try again, and we're gonna make them a moment. And so just despite what other people were telling me, I was like, no, they're gonna be a moment. It's gonna be a thing. And it's just become a thing now. So I'm so happy that. And then I found the Ray Bans, the Metas, and I was like, oh, my God, who knew that these videos that I've been taking in the ring were gonna have such a moment, too?

[Daniel]

Great idea.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It was insane to me that the one from Elimination Chamber, when Tiffany hit the glass, I just laughed. And I was like, I've been doing these on the live events. I get such great content of the guys laughing and talking and just, like, having our moments that, like, the audience doesn't get to see.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

But I didn't realize that that was going to be just something too. That would be A fun little staple of my social media now.

[Danielle Fishel]

So great.

[Ryder Strong]

It's summer vacation. And by vacation I mean I'll be barbecuing until my fingertips are numb and my belly is filled with beef.

[Will Friedle]

Well, my summer involves a little more relaxing than that.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, I'm relaxed because I'm a Walmart plus member with free same day delivery on groceries, prescriptions and more. That means I can just chill out. And more barbecue time, baby.

[Will Friedle]

Who knew?

[Ryder Strong]

Every Walmart plus member knows it's the secret to bringing vacation back to summer.

[Will Friedle]

Now how about you throw a turkey burger on the grill for me?

[Ryder Strong]

Ryder, for you, anything.

[Will Friedle]

Ah, now that's vacation.

[Ryder Strong]

Membership pays for itself.

[Will Friedle]

Join Walmart plus and see the difference.

[Ryder Strong]

Subject to availability 35 minimum restrictions apply.

[Danielle Fishel]

Hey, who out there can get stressed out about money? Raise your hand.

[Will Friedle]

Okay, other than some kids listening in their parents car and the odd billionaire, I'm assuming that everyone is raising their hand because money, right?

[Ryder Strong]

Except Ally Bank. With those guys there are no tricks, no hidden fees, no hidden fine print.

[Will Friedle]

Ally is a bank. And and this is kind of crazy. They want to take care of you and your money. They've got tools to help you save automatically while you spend.

[Ryder Strong]

Ally Surprise Savings automatically analyzes your spending to find you saving so you can save for the things that matter to

[Danielle Fishel]

you like your kids, future college funds

[Daniel]

or grandkids, future college funds or even

[Will Friedle]

getting ahead for retirement.

[Danielle Fishel]

They even look out for your mental state. For real. They have a free financial wellness program called Money Root that helps you understand how your money mindset impacts your physical, mental and social well being.

[Ryder Strong]

I'm like are they really a bank? And yeah, they are a great one.

[Will Friedle]

Banking built for life today.

[Ryder Strong]

Learn [e-mail] Ally bank member FDIC as

[Danielle Fishel]

a mom of two boys, car seats and strollers are a big deal. I want safe, stylish and affordable.

[Will Friedle]

And that's why I'm excited to talk

[Ryder Strong]

about Joy as a new grandfather. I know a 360 seat is a game changer. With the Joy Pepper spin si I turn the seat towards me reducing lower back strain and eliminating the need to bend uncomfortably into the car. And I'm a grandpa now. My back always hurts and it's the

[Danielle Fishel]

only car seat you'll need growing with your child from birth to approximately 12 years.

[Will Friedle]

And we have a special promo for listeners. Get 20% off on joybaby.com's entire site from now until 10-15-2026.

[Ryder Strong]

That's J-O I E baby.com use code POD20 that's POD20.

[Danielle Fishel]

Were you ever scared for your dad? Like, watching when I was on Dancing with the Stars, I.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Which, by the way, can I say, you were robbed. How dare they? How dare they? My sister and I were very angry.

[Maxine Dupree]

All right.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

We stopped watching after you. I know.

[Danielle Fishel]

We were so sweet.

[Daniel]

Ryder and I did a podcast every week just talking about how she kept getting robbed. That was basically our show. It was just like, what the hell? So good.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Thank you, God. You guys should have won the mirror ball.

[Danielle Fishel]

It was so sweet.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Such a great season.

[Danielle Fishel]

It was incredible. I mean, every single thing about it was the best. But when we did, it was Halloween week, and we did a dance where Pasha was gonna turn around, and I had, you know, I revealed blood, and it was as if he was. He ran at me, and, like, he was attacking me. And I had to warn my children who were in the audience. I was like, it's going to look like Pasha is attacking me. He would never hurt me. He would never attack me. It's part of the dance. It's part of the show. And they totally understood it. But I did, like, give them a lot of prep. When you were a kid watching your dad wrestle, you said you were like, go, dad. But did you ever get scared watching some of the stuff?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Not that I can recall in the moment. I do remember him coming home from show sometimes with, like. He came home one time with two black eyes and a broken. And I remember we, like, woke up when he got home. It was like 3am I think he just drove in from Corpus Christi, and we were just like. He's like, it's okay. You know, it was an accident. I got caught by the chair. No big deal. But my grandma, she is very passionate. She is one of those passionate watchers that when she would watch my dad get wrestle and he was, you know, getting beat up or whatever, she had a moment where she was sitting ringside. She got up, picked up her chair, and was ready to hit the guy. Security had to take the chair and grab her, and they were about to escort her out. My dad's like, that's my mom. And so now when I call her, and I had a picture recently where I started bleeding from the nose. And I guess she saw it somehow. Maybe my cousin showed it to her. And she was crying, and I was like, grandma, what's wrong? She goes, I mija, I just can't watch you getting hit like that or see blood. And I'm like, but, Grandma, you've been around this for so long. I think you Would like now. It was an accident. And she's like, no, absolutely not. I don't like it. I can't watch when you're getting beat up like that. I just can't.

[Ryder Strong]

So it's the grandmothers.

[Commercial Announcer]

Remember?

[Daniel]

Leon White, who was Vader, told us a story about. He was in a wrestling match, and he said he was beating the guy, and then the guy had to push him against the ropes. And he said he felt a pain in his back, and he turned around, and there was a little old woman who had just stabbed him, literally stabbed him through the ring.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, my God.

[Daniel]

And he's like. It was this tiny little. Like, the guy's grandmother or something just

[Ryder Strong]

came up and stabbed me.

[Daniel]

So, yeah. Is crazy.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I get scared about inviting my grandma to some shows. Like. Like when we were in the Valley for those live shows, I kept her backstage because I was like, oh, if I get her out, she's. She's gonna do something. She has no control. No control.

[Daniel]

That's what's great, though, is the passion of the fans.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Come on.

[Ryder Strong]

The family members and the fans want to see it.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

But that's where I think I get my anger problems from.

[Danielle Fishel]

Said another way.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah, I get my passion from her.

[Daniel]

Exactly.

[Commercial Announcer]

There you go.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you, Grandma, for that. This passion, it's gotten me far.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It's gotten me real far.

[Danielle Fishel]

Did your dad encourage you to follow in his footsteps? How did he feel when you wanted to do this?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Not at first, because I actually. I told him when I was very, very young, when, I mean, my dad was out wrestling the day I was born, you know, so, like, I grew a love and a passion for it just from watching him and being around him all the time. And I told him when I was very young, I wanted to do it. And he was like, no, absolutely not. It was bras and panties back then, fights, you know, like, the women's evolution really hadn't happened, and. And he's also someone in the business that was like, you know, I've seen what it can be like for women, and I don't want that for you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

So he's like, you'll go to college and you'll graduate, and then maybe we'll revisit this. So I did that. I played basketball, and I got a scholarship, went to college, and the day I graduated, I was like, dad, I want to try. Yes, it's different now. The women's evolution has happened at this point. Like, I would love to just give it a go. And he was like, okay, you have two Years, but you're only going to go and train with people I know. So for, like, the first year, I would have to drive and meet him from my college town and him from the Valley to train whenever we could. Maybe once a month, twice a month. And then I saw WWE was having an open tryout at the Arnold Classic. I said, that might be my shot. Bought a ticket, went to the Arnold Classic, showed up in front of the recruiter, and they had their people picked. But he was like, go ahead and email me. And then got an email back, and they were like, yeah, we'd like to invite you for a tryout. And the rest is history.

[Daniel]

Wow. Okay.

[Ryder Strong]

So I have to ask, where did you play college ball?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Sam Houston State in Huntsville. I played two years at Texas A and M Kingsville, and then I transferred to Sam Houston State.

[Daniel]

Yeah, my mom was the one who taught us how to play basketball. So the UConn women, that's all we watched growing up.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, my God. Iconic. Iconic UConn and Tennessee. That was the dream, right?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

To be a volunteer or be a werewolf.

[Daniel]

Yeah, that was it. That was it. That's always. That's. That was my life.

[Will Friedle]

So.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah, I love, too, that women's basketball is having a moment right now. The WNBA is having such a huge moment. Those women are getting so many. Like, they're just fighting for what they deserve. And it's so cool to see. I fully support it. I'm so happy for them. Like, what a big step in women's sports for them.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, speaking of which, I would love to get your opinion surrounding Caitlin Clark. There's a lot of opinions. A lot of people think she's targeted for flagrant fouls. Some say the officiating is inconsistent. But this type of exposure around the WNBA is actually more than wwe. It's more WWE than ever.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

So what are your feelings on Caitlin Clark?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I feel like we need a reality show on Caitlin Clark. I want to know what's really good.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love her.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I love her.

[Daniel]

I absolutely love Caitlin Clark.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I think, like, also, she's, you know, she's been such a respectable player all throughout her college years, even that first year in the wnba. She's tried to represent and be held to the pedestal that she's been placed on. But, like, I mean, you know, we gotta say what it is. The other players. And sometimes some of those fouls are not what they should be.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

And they. It's called one way. Sometimes you can say it's one way. We all know if we play Basketball, I'm sure you understand, sometimes the referees do call it one way.

[Daniel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

And it is what it is.

[Daniel]

It seems more flagrant than ever because there's. I mean, some of the. Some of the women that came before, the Diana Taurasi and the Sue Birds, mean, I. These are phenomenal players. But it seems like with the spotlight on her, it is becoming more and more flagrant.

[Ryder Strong]

And at first, I didn't blame any of the other teams. I blamed her teammates for not standing

[Daniel]

up and, like, well, how is there not a fight every week?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Daniel]

And now that's starting to happen more and more where they're like, yeah, you're not gonna touch her. And that's when I'm kind of like, all right, here we go.

[Will Friedle]

Here we go.

[Daniel]

So, yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah, I'm all for supporting her and her team. I think, like, what they're doing is they're standing up for themselves. I think they've taken enough heat for everything that's been going on, but I'm all for it, too, and I think they should get a reality show somewhere.

[Daniel]

Well, it's all good for the wnba.

[Ryder Strong]

It's all good for the wn.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah. More exposure on how these women like what they do if they have other jobs outside of the wnba. Like, it'd be just. Be really good stuff for, like, even younger girls to watch who are aspiring to be, like, these professional athletes.

[Daniel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

There's so many of them out there, and I think if more women knew that those were opportunities that they could get, they'd be even more inspired to do it in school and to, like, do it outside of school and all those things, too.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, how much do you feel like

[Daniel]

you're doing that for a whole new generation of female wrestlers?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I hope I'm doing that a lot. You know, I. I'd like to think that especially the kids from back home, from where I'm from, know that, you know, they're not. Not gonna be stuck in this box that we've been placed in, because, you know, back home, too, we can say kids usually, you know, sometimes they have kids already in high school or they get married right out of high school and start their families immediately. I want them to know there's more opportunities and there's more things that you can do if you just give yourself the time and the patience and also put yourself in the right spots when you can, you know, and just being open to every opportunity that comes your way. So I hope I'm doing that for them. Hey, girls in the Valley represent Silly.

[Danielle Fishel]

Cool. You arrived in the WWE Universe as part of the 2017 inaugural Mae Young Classic, an event that, now, looking back, was filled with a lot of future superstars making their debut. Kyrie Sane, Rhea Ripley, Dakota Kai, Candice Lerae, Bianca Belair. The list goes on and on. What do you remember from those two days in Florida?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, I had just started with nxt, too, so that was, like, fairly new. The first big thing I was doing with wwe, with nxt, it was an amazing, amazing weekend. I will not lie to you. To have so many women from so many backgrounds, so many cultures and all there just representing women in sports and women's wrestling, it was beautiful. To have Beth Phoenix there, to have Mickey James there as, like, our people to go to, to talk to, it was just so inspiring. And honestly, it was that year and the following year when we did it again, that just kept me going and kept me motivated. I was like, this is what it's about, bringing women to the front, to the front page. And I remember watching the cruiserweight tournament right before I started in nxt, and I just thought, wow, these guys are so athlet athletic. Everything they're doing, they're bringing, like, a new vibe to wrestling, a new class to wrestling. That's what I hope this does for women. And I think it did. It really opened the doors for so many women across the world. And to see how many women. Like, we have a wrestler from Malaysia, you know, who's coming out more, and she's a part of the nxt, the new program. It's just really, really cool to see people like her getting an opportunity to shine. Truly. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Now, the Raquel we saw back then is much different than the one we see on TV today. What do you think is the biggest difference?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Definitely confidence. Definitely confidence. I feel like it took me a while to really get used to seeing myself on tv, to being put in a position with all these beautiful women who have great figures. Great, like, beautiful. Just from top to bottom, beautiful. And so talented, too. And to know that I belong in that position, you know what I mean? To know that I'm part of that group, it's so crazy to kind of get your mindset into that space, but that's what I really took from it. I was like, wow. I just. I feel like I gained so much confidence, and I could tell there was a point where I was trying to, like, hide it a little bit with the half mask while still trying to represent my culture and find what was gonna work best for me with, like, the Western style. Cause I'm coming from Texas, so it was all just playing with, you know, we were just playing with different elements. But it definitely shows how I've changed and grown throughout the years. And to know that next year, that'll be 10 years since that's happened. That's insane.

[Daniel]

Yeah, it goes by fast, huh?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

It goes by slow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Take it from two people who are looking at 33 years, you know. Yeah, it goes by fast by the wink of an eye.

[Ryder Strong]

If you. If you had one piece of advice

[Daniel]

you could give to the new freshman class of wrestlers coming in, what would you tell them?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I would tell them that it's. It's a hard road. It definitely is. And to never feel discouraged. Whatever kind of feedback they get, whatever situation they've been put in, whether they were in a match that they weren't too happy with or whatever the outcome is, they have to keep persevering. I think perseverance is the biggest word I can use to describe the one characteristics any wrestler would need in this business. Because you get so many nos, you get so many negatives, you get so many opportunities that you think are for you, but it ends up going for someone else. And I think the more you can come back in with a good attitude, the more you can come back in with that urge to persevere, the better it'll just keep being for you and your journey. Everyone's journeys on this is different. You know, some of them take longer to get to a certain spot. Some of them happen so fast. I think the most joy you can find is within the journey itself and within the people that you get to meet. And I look back on those 10 years and think about the people that I worked with in the first May Young Classic and the second May Young Classic, how I still follow them, how I'm still interested in what they're doing, and they still catch up with me. It's just really cool to know that we went through something together and we are still connected through that.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know there are still so many great things on the horizon for 2026, but I am dying to know, what are your big goals for 2027?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, you know, my big goals are obviously to get a singles title and

[Ryder Strong]

to keep it and to keep it

[Raquel Rodriguez]

and to hopefully main event WrestleMania, definitely. That's always going to be on my goal chart is to main event WrestleMania, to have a singles title match at WrestleMania. That's the big one. One for sure for anyone, I think, in this career. So that's what I'm really focusing on.

[Daniel]

I'll go to Vegas for that.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Actually next year it's going to be in Saudi Arabia.

[Danielle Fishel]

So you ready to go to Saudi Arabia?

[Daniel]

I. It's probably an easier trip than Vegas.

[Ryder Strong]

That flight to Vegas is like this the whole way.

[Maxine Dupree]

I mean, man, you could probably lie

[Danielle Fishel]

flat on the way to Saudi Arabia.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

That's what I'm saying.

[Ryder Strong]

Saudi Arabia, you definitely can.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah. And they serve great food in the air.

[Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Saudi Emirates Airlines. Wow. Amazing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Delicious teas, great fresh juice. You don't even feel like you're in an airplane.

[Daniel]

I know.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

You know, there's no airplane food up there.

[Daniel]

Those are the planes that have like the apartment in the front, like with the, the.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I haven't seen that part.

[Daniel]

Shower and all that kind of stuff.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

That would be nice.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

There's some crazy ones.

[Danielle Fishel]

Will knows a lot about planes.

[Daniel]

I do, I do.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Taking lots of trips.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Raquel, thank you so much for being here. Cannot wait for your match tonight. I'm going to be in the audience with my kids. We will be cheering very loud for you.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Thank you guys. Thanks for having me. My sister and my brother in law are going to be so jealous that I got to be here talking with you guys. We talk about Mr. Feeny all the time. And I didn't tell them I was doing this podcast because I want them to be surprised.

[Danielle Fishel]

We want to take a picture too. So you'll have a picture to send.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yes. Oh my gosh, I hope you're jealous, Maddie.

[Ryder Strong]

It's summer vacation. And by vacation I mean I'll be barbecuing until my fingertips are numb and my belly is filled with beef.

[Will Friedle]

Well, my summer involves a little more relaxing than that.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh. I'm relaxed because I'm a Walmart plus member with free same day delivery on groceries, prescriptions and more. That means I can just chill out and more barbecue time. Baby, baby.

[Will Friedle]

Who knew?

[Ryder Strong]

Every Walmart plus member knows it's the secret to bringing vacation back to summer.

[Will Friedle]

Now how about you throw a turkey

[Ryder Strong]

burger on the grill for me, Ryder, for you, anything.

[Will Friedle]

Ah, now that's vacation.

[Ryder Strong]

Membership pays for itself.

[Will Friedle]

Join Walmart plus and see the difference.

[Ryder Strong]

Subject to availability 35 minimum restrictions apply.

[Danielle Fishel]

Hey, who out there can get stressed out about money? Raise your hand.

[Will Friedle]

Okay, other than some kids listening in their parents car and the odd billionaire, I'm assuming that everyone is raising their hand because money, right?

[Ryder Strong]

Except Ally Bank. With those guys there are no tricks, no hidden fees, no hidden fine print.

[Will Friedle]

Ally is a bank. And this is kind of crazy. They want to take care of you and your money. They've got tools to help you save automatically while you spend.

[Ryder Strong]

Ally Surprise Savings automatically analyzes your spending to find you saving so you can save for the things that matter to

[Danielle Fishel]

to you like your kids future college

[Daniel]

funds or grandkids future college funds or

[Will Friedle]

even getting ahead for retirement.

[Danielle Fishel]

They even look out for your mental state. For real. They have a free financial wellness program called Money Roots that helps you understand how your money mindset impacts your physical, mental and social well being.

[Ryder Strong]

I'm like are they really a bank? And yeah, they are a great one.

[Will Friedle]

Banking built for life today.

[Ryder Strong]

Learn [e-mail] Ally bank member FDIC A lot of you might not know this, but I'm the world's best grandpa.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's right. He has a shirt that says so.

[Ryder Strong]

And now with a newborn in our family, I'm all about finding safe, stylish and affordable car seats and strollers.

[Will Friedle]

And that's where joy comes in. What started in the UK as an award winning baby gear brand and number one car seat made its way to the US two years ago and it's quickly becoming a household name.

[Ryder Strong]

Especially the Joy Pepperspin SI rotating car seat seat.

[Danielle Fishel]

Parents know what's up with the 360, giving you the ability to turn the seat toward you and making it easier to get your kids in and out of the car.

[Will Friedle]

It has four modes of use from birth to big kid, meaning this is the only car seat you'll need and

[Ryder Strong]

even a grandpa like me can install it. It has two quick and easy installation options with labels on the car seat and how to videos to ensure a secure pain free install.

[Will Friedle]

And with easy to remove machine washable fabrics, you're ready for all of life's unexpected messes.

[Ryder Strong]

And we have a special promo for our listeners. Get 20% off on joybaby.com's entire site from now until October 15, 2026.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's J-O-I-E baby.com use code POD20 that's POD20. Back to School starts now.

[Will Friedle]

Get long lasting battery life on the Dell XPS laptop powered by Series 3 Intel Core. So you can work from anywhere now

[Ryder Strong]

starting at $699 with exclusive student pricing starting at $599.

[Danielle Fishel]

And it's lightweight, portable and packed with enough processing power to make multitasking a breeze.

[Will Friedle]

So say goodbye to distractions and hello to more free time because you finished your work faster.

[Ryder Strong]

Complete your setup with savings on select monitors and more. Must have electronics and accessories, limited time

[Danielle Fishel]

Deals and free shipping on PCs and more await you at Dell.com deals that's Dell.com deals

[Raquel Rodriguez]

foreign.

[Danielle Fishel]

Guest went from yelling defense at basketball games to assembling an offense that has wreaked havoc on an entire WWE women's division. She's been a model, a cheerleader, a gymnast, and a dancer, but it looks like she's finally found her calling as one of the most improved WWE Superstars of this era. Era. She recently shocked the WWE Universe by ditching her goofy fitness students the Alpha Academy to saddle up with the Vision and get a little more serious and sensual with stable MVP Austin theory. And all this after she walked into Madison Square Garden and beat Becky lynch for the Women's Intercontinental Championship in the type of biggest stage performance usually reserved for guys with the last name Brunson. It would be difficult to predict the future of the WWE without including her name. She went from all smiles to all vile. But we are so happy to have her on POD meets World. Let's give it up for Maxine Dupree.

[Maxine Dupree]

Thank you. I love that intro. I think I need that as my ringtone. I love that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you so much for joining us. I am so excited to get into your journey because it's. It is super inspiring.

[Maxine Dupree]

Thank you.

[Danielle Fishel]

But first, we have one thing in common other than both being very young and cool.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

We are both competitive dancers. The difference is I started at 45 years old. When did you start?

[Maxine Dupree]

I started at 3.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

So dance. Slight difference.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Got it.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. I started dancing when I was three. I didn't start competing very seriously until I was 10. And then from like, 10 onward, it was like six days a week, competitions, nonstop, flying to LA a lot, and just really, like, chasing dance. Like, dance was my favorite passion little baby I ever had. I was in love with it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Did you have a style that you studied or.

[Maxine Dupree]

I did everything. We competed in lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, pointe. But contemporary and jazz were my, like, favorite. My bread and butter.

[Danielle Fishel]

Did you ever do ballroom or Latin?

[Maxine Dupree]

No. And I would love to. I would love to. Yeah. We didn't have that at our studio growing up, but that's something I would have loved to do.

[Daniel]

So is Dancing with the Stars something that you'd be interested in?

[Maxine Dupree]

Oh, my God, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Of course.

[Maxine Dupree]

I would die to be on that show. It would be so fun. It would be such a challenge. Cause I don't think I've exercised that part of my brain in five years. Like, when I stopped dancing, I quit cold turkey and jumped into this so it would be such a challenge and it's just so much control in ballroom.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yes.

[Maxine Dupree]

It would be crazy, but I would love it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, good to know. Was wrestling in your life at all as a kid, or did you ever dance to the DX theme or something similar?

[Maxine Dupree]

You know what's crazy is I had never seen Monday Night Raw. I had never seen smackdown. I had no idea. My grandpa, my dad's dad was a die hard Monday Night Wrestling fan, but I didn't even know. Like, I. I had no idea. And then in high school, I fell in love with total divas.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Maxine Dupree]

Still never watched wrestling, though. Like, I was just like, these women are. They are stunning. They're badass. They have all these businesses. I was just really infatuated with them. But I had no idea that what I was watching was what my grandpa was watching. And then it became this, like, fun little banter we had at, like, holidays between me, my dad and my grandpa and I would be talking about the girls and, you know, he would be like, oh, that's so and so's husband and so and so's boyfriend. And, like, we'd be comparing all the things.

[Daniel]

Yeah.

[Maxine Dupree]

And so it was kind of like a joke for me to, like, go into it. Like, it was like, my grandpa told me, he was like, well, you can't be in the WWE unless you can do a kip up. And I was like, say less, papa. Yeah. Went outside at Thanksgiving and showed him. I was like, I can do that.

[Danielle Fishel]

I can do that.

[Daniel]

What's a kip up?

[Maxine Dupree]

It's when you lay on your back and you spring up to your feet.

[Will Friedle]

Oh, okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes.

[Ryder Strong]

Okay.

[Daniel]

Like the old school martial arts move.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. And I don't know why he felt like that was the move. You have to. Have to be here.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

That was the one.

[Danielle Fishel]

He was like, you have to be at the bottom of a mat and you have to be able to hop up like that.

[Maxine Dupree]

He was very passionate about that.

[Daniel]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

And then he was like, all right, maybe you could do it.

[Daniel]

That's cool.

[Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know you bounced around between dance and gymnastics, eventually landing as a cheerleader for the Rams.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Who lost in the Super Bowl.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah. It was pretty horrific.

[Danielle Fishel]

And then you pivoted to the Phoenix Suns.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. Who also lost.

[Danielle Fishel]

Lost in the finals now. Until you won here.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Were you ever nervous? You were bad luck.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. Was it your fault?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

You know? No.

[Maxine Dupree]

I think the problem was, was is that a bunch of men were in charge of our destiny.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Maxine Dupree]

The woman in charge and we'll get it done.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's exactly right. I know. With cheering and synchronized group dance, part of the skill is blending in becoming one unit. And now you are in a business that really rewards standing out as a larger than life individual, which is more comfortable for you.

[Maxine Dupree]

It's funny because growing up competing in dance in high school, we would compete as a team and then we'd also do like solos, duets, trio. I always did best in a solo. I was always a much better solo performer. I always had a really hard time in our group routines of blending especially. Cause I'm so like lengthy. So that was like my biggest challenge. So when I started doing NFL and NBA dance, it's so sharp and precise and I like, I learned that really quickly, but that wasn't what my like bread and butter was. So I feel like this is actually so much easier for me because I don't have to look the same as anyone else. In fact, it's so much better when you look like no one else and you do moves differently. So I feel like it's actually been a blessing that like, I don't have to blend what I had to.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's a good strength to have to be like, I can shine on my own.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Especially here. Okay. And then I want to know, how did you, at 22 years old, decide to create your own clothing line?

[Maxine Dupree]

I don't know. I don't know why I did.

[Daniel]

Were you just bored?

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah, I think so. Both my parents are entrepreneurs and so I always had this instilled in me. Like growing up, I'd be like, oh, I want, want to be a dance teacher.

[Commercial Announcer]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

And they'd be like, no, you need to own a dance studio. You want to like make money.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right. While you're away, be the owner, be the creator.

[Maxine Dupree]

So that was always in my mind. And when you cheer for the NFL or NBA, it's very part time. You have to have other jobs. You're making like just over minimum wage, you're getting paid by the hour. You have no benefits. So I had a bunch of other jobs, like teaching fitness classes and that kind of stuff. But I just like knew I wanted more than that, that. So I just, I didn't go to college, so I just like went on YouTube and taught myself how to get everything, like legally set up and trademarked and all the stuff. And I really enjoyed it. It was so much fun. And when I moved to Phoenix, I opened a storefront and had my first brick and mortar.

[Danielle Fishel]

And it's called Jaunty. Yes, that Was your first. You had a brick and mortar store in Arizona, and you were 24 years old.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah. It was so fun. I don't know what I was doing. I, like, hired my best friend. We would be, like. We would just be hanging out, like, run in the store, and then we'd be like, should we close and go to happy hour?

[Commercial Announcer]

I know.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, it does. It feels really. It feels equally as scary to just like, I'm gonna just start wrestling.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. Like, you really. The crazy part was that when I opened the storefront, four months later, I got signed and I had to move to Orlando. So then I was, like, trying to manage employees from afar, which was, like, really a challenge. So that's when I ended up getting out of my lease there, going back all online.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

Which has been awesome, and I love it. But I think it's one of those things where, like, obviously, this is my current passion, and I feel like in order to thrive here, you have to be 110% in. So it's something that I think later down the line in life, I'll focus on more. And it's something I always want to have, but I think it's one of those things where it's like, if you spread yourself too thin, you can't be amazing at any of it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Daniel]

Interesting.

[Ryder Strong]

So now when you were, I mean,

[Daniel]

performing growing up, is it one of those things where that has. One of the things where I'm learning. So I'm learning about the wrestling world. Daniel's bringing me in, and so I'm really seeing. It's the balance between the athleticism, but it's also your character, and it's really coming out with a Persona. Was growing up as a cheerleader and as a dancer and everything. Did that help you more with the Persona side as well as the athletics?

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. Like, I've always loved acting, like, since I was little. Like, remember when Disney Channel used to do the, like, you can do this submit here. I'm like, mom, submit me.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yes.

[Maxine Dupree]

Like, I always just wanted to be on camera, on screen. And my parents were very, like, I was not allowed to do anything in that world in Los Angeles until I was 18.

[Daniel]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

And then when I was 16, I think they were like, okay, she has her head screwed on enough that, like, it'll be fine. So they let me get an agent when I was 16, and then I started flying to LA more to do more, like, commercial acting and modeling. But I always wanted to be in TV and film, and I think was

[Daniel]

Disney Channel the goal Growing up, I

[Maxine Dupree]

think when I was little, yeah, like I was watching Hannah Montana. Like, why am I not Miley Cyrus?

[Danielle Fishel]

Right, Right.

[Maxine Dupree]

And now I feel like I am. I'm living the best of both worlds.

[Daniel]

Yeah.

[Maxine Dupree]

But yeah, I always wanted to be on screen. So that side of it is so easy and fun for me. Like, I love performing, I love playing a character, I love acting, learning a new craft and like trying to make this art look real and vicious and also stay safe and keep your opponents safe. That's the part that has always been the biggest challenge for me.

[Daniel]

How did it, how does your dance background and the gymnastics background lend itself to learning the moves to be a professional?

[Maxine Dupree]

I think it's having body control. Like I have, I think I have very good like muscle mind connection from doing it from such a young age. And I competed in gymnastics when I was like 7, 8 and 9 and then I stopped. But I think during that time I like hated it because they were like making me do pull ups and have five hour practices. When I was eight, I was like, I was like, can we go, can we go do a dance routine on camera? But I think that discipline, like really instilled something in me and just the ability to like, like have control over your body, I think that has been the biggest benefit for me.

[Danielle Fishel]

You mentioned after you opened the storefront in Arizona, you were 24 years old. Just four months later you were signed. How did you end up at WWE tryouts?

[Maxine Dupree]

So we were. It was either Thanksgiving or Father's Day. I always forget. But it was like one of those things where my papa was joking around and I emailed my modeling agent and said, like, this is so random, but like, if you know anyone, I would love a tryout for the wwe. And then around the same time, I had submitted online a bunch, but this was right after Covid, so I don't think they had. I think I was the first tryout after Covid.

[Commercial Announcer]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

And like my modeling agent never responded. But then two weeks later I got an email saying that I was invited to Las Vegas for the tryout. So I was like, okay. I don't know if they saw my submission online. I don't know if she forwarded it to someone. I don't know what happened. But I got a tryout. I went in Las Vegas at SummerSlam that the last day of the tryout, it was a three day tryout. They pulled, I wanna say there was 14 of them of us. And they offered us contracts and said, you're moving to Orlando in 30 days. And that was. That was that.

[Ryder Strong]

Can you.

[Commercial Announcer]

What?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Do me? Because we.

[Daniel]

I keep hearing like, I'm getting. I gotta try out, I gotta try out.

[Ryder Strong]

What, what does that entail? I mean, if you've never wrestled before,

[Daniel]

do they just throw you in a

[Ryder Strong]

ring and say go?

[Maxine Dupree]

They're like, fight dogs. Exactly.

[Danielle Fishel]

Fight to the death.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

What is it? I mean, are they showing you moves and seeing if you can mimic them? Like, what, what is a trial?

[Maxine Dupree]

Okay, so the first day you're getting in the ring, it's a lot of like cardio. I think it's a lot to see, like who you are as a person. Like, are you going to quit or are you going to enjoy the this? And like, do you want to be here? So they're trying to get you to be like, so exhausted. So you're riding the ropes, you're doing grape squishers. You're doing like forward rolls, backward rolls, handstand rolls. Just to see like your footwork and athleticism.

[Daniel]

What's a grape squisher?

[Maxine Dupree]

You're sitting in the corner doing high knees. And then they'll say, down. And you drop down and do a burpee. Jump back up.

[Ryder Strong]

Yikes.

[Daniel]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

It's actually horrific.

[Daniel]

Yeah, it sounds awful.

[Maxine Dupree]

Not a great time. And then you do a one minute promo in front of everyone on camera. I think that's probably like the scary part. Cause you're just like. You also have to have manage that 60 seconds. They don't want you to go over or under and you wanna perform well, but you also have to kind of know what you're trying out for. So it's like, we're on tv, so don't be using cuss words and all those little nuances that you may not know unless you've kind of studied it. Then the next day is back to more cardio. And the back of my ribs were bruised from the ropes. Cause I'd never run the ropes really, like for a long time like that. And then the next day they do more like promo things in groups and different activities and just kind of like, see who has it.

[Daniel]

Mm, interesting. Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

Man.

[Daniel]

That's a lot different than auditioning for like a Cheerios commercial as a kid. It's a little different, you know what I mean? Like, if I walked in and they were like, all right, burpees. I'd be like, you know what? No, I'm not gonna do that.

[Danielle Fishel]

As you were lighting your cigarette at eight.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, yeah.

[Maxine Dupree]

To get through the day. Yeah, exactly. A black coffee and a Cigarette.

[Daniel]

In all fairness, I didn't. I wasn't a heavy smoker till I was 10. So.

[Maxine Dupree]

Valid to be fair.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

So the first time anyone sees you in nxt, you're a manager.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

A mouthpiece for a tag team, which a lot of WWE Superstars can stay in their entire careers.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But was your goal always to be a wrestler, like, the center of attention?

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. This was like a misconception that happened, and I think it was just that they wanted me on tv. I had only been there for six months. I didn't know how to truly wrestle yet, so they just put me in this group. But I truly wasn't even, like, the mouthpiece yet because we had Mr. Stone in the group, Robert Stone, who's still at NXT. He's awesome. And he was more the mouthpiece. So I was just kind of like, there.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

I was just there. Like, I would point and then Von Wagner would beat someone up, and I was like, what's going on?

[Raquel Rodriguez]

I don't know.

[Maxine Dupree]

And then I actually fractured my ankle and was out. Like, couldn't put weight on. It was out in training. And then like, two weeks after that, I got called up. It was, like, really crazy. I got called up. I was not trained. My name in NXT was Sophia Cromwell. So I, like, they'd given me a new name. And then they were like, okay, you're gonna be Maxine Dupree. I get called up, I'm not cleared. I, like, can't walk. They wanted me to wear high heels. Like, my foot won't even bend that way. It was so crazy. It was a crazy time. And I was like, I always say, like, that day, like, God intervened because I should not be here. After that first day on the main roster, I was supposed to have a five minute in ring promo. I had never done an in ring promo. We're doing rehearsals. I'm like, I was up all night trying to memorize this promo, and I'm so nervous. I don't know anyone. It was crazy. Thankfully, it got changed to this two sentence backstage. And I feel like if that didn't happen, I would not be sitting here. I would have. I know because of dance, if you forget something on stage, you have to stay out there and perform. So I would have gotten through it, but it would have been horrific.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah, but.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, maybe it wouldn't have been. Give yourself some credit. You would have kept it going.

[Maxine Dupree]

I would have kept it going, but.

[Danielle Fishel]

But you're happy that the way it worked out. Like you said, there was Some intervention on your behalf somewhere. And it all worked out.

[Daniel]

What was worse, the dialogue or the ankle?

[Maxine Dupree]

Honestly, both. Because it was in ring and I was like, guys, I can't walk to the ring in these heels. And they're like, we'll just bring you out in the dark. Like, it'll be dark, no one will see you. I'm like, I'm going to be limping out here in this black dress and heels. It was crazy.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, to be fair, she had no prior experience in wrestling. She was a 24 year old with a clothing line.

[Daniel]

She's like a broken ankle.

[Ryder Strong]

Here we go.

[Maxine Dupree]

And that's actually the story of my life.

[Ryder Strong]

There you go.

[Daniel]

Wow, that's amazing.

[Ryder Strong]

So growing up, you said that you

[Daniel]

weren't really a wrestling fan. You didn't know anything about it. Now that you're in, have you gone back and kind of studied as much of it as you possibly can?

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes, yes. And I love, love watching things now. It's funny, I was thinking about this the other day when I first got called up. I had so much anxiety around this business just because I felt so out of place that I almost would, like, go home and, like, not want to watch anything. Like, I just wanted to clock out because the thought of it was like. Like I just was like, so overwhelmed. And I feel like I'm in this place now where when I started training at a place called Flatbacks with Sean Spears and Tyler Breeze, and I have a couple friends there, John and Noelle, and we would train and it was like the first time I trained with no pressure, and we were just like, selling moves funny and really having fun. And I really started, like, fall in love with the art form. And then when we got like our little Monday Night Raw friend group, and I spend a lot of time with a lot of these girls and getting to see, like, Lyra and Roxanne, who grew up loving this and seeing, like, their perspective on things. Like, I've really fallen in love with it and now I just, like, love watching it. I love watching the stuff that they watched as a kid, like, that they have these, like, pure memories of. And I love getting to watch it now and be like, wow, this is so cool.

[Daniel]

So then if you've gone back and watched some of the older stuff, is there a favorite era you have of the.

[Maxine Dupree]

Oh, well, you know, I'm Nikki Bella's biggest fan.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, there you go.

[Daniel]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

So, like, anything Nikki's doing, anything the divas are doing, you know, I love Stacey Keebler.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yeah.

[Maxine Dupree]

I love watching AJ Lee, I love it all. But then I also love watching NXT when it was Becky Lynch, Bayley, Charlotte, when they're all coming up, those matches. Mercedes, oh my gosh, it's crazy.

[Daniel]

That's cool.

[Danielle Fishel]

Those are some incredible matches. Yes, I know. The WWE Universe has seen the entire journey from your very green days where everyone was so critical to now where you are out there shining with some of the all time greats winning a title in Madison Square Garden. When do you think it all started to just click for you?

[Maxine Dupree]

Honestly, when I started working with Becky, I think, yeah, I think that like, really changed my life. Don't tell her I said that. I still hate her. But yeah, that really, like changed things around for me. I think when you get to work with someone who's just has so much more experience than you and has so much knowledge and is willing to share that with you, it changes the game. Those are my favorite matches. I still, like, look at them. And I'm like, wait, I can't believe I did that.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm so good there.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah. I'm like, what's going on there? Who's that?

[Danielle Fishel]

I loved all of the stuff you did with Natty too.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

I have to imagine working with her was a huge help.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. My total divas queen.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. It's hard to pick a better mentor. So.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. And training with her and TJ at the Dungeon was nuts. That, like, is another pivotal moment in my career where I learned so much, so much about aggression and I think, you know, dealing with her in the ring and her beating me up nonstop. But also getting to train with her, I think has really played into where I am now and getting to just unleash on everyone.

[Daniel]

I always love the names of these places. It's always the Dungeon and Flatbed.

[Ryder Strong]

It's never like, we're going to Happy House, we're gonna train this. Yeah, exactly.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

The pancake place, like going to hell.

[Daniel]

Yeah, exactly.

[Ryder Strong]

Right, exactly.

[Danielle Fishel]

Helena Cell.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Have you found that for the most

[Daniel]

part that people have, have made it easier for you to, to join and they're accepting and they want to give you that knowledge and they want to make sure that the next generation is

[Maxine Dupree]

prepared to take over a thousand percent? I think when you come into this locker room and you're eager to learn and you show that every single one of us will give you every ounce of information, I think what's really cool is like, we all feel the same way about, you know, like lifting each other up. We're all rising together. It doesn't benefit any of us if someone's not thriving.

[Daniel]

Right.

[Maxine Dupree]

Being in the ring with someone that's not doing well or something's not going right. Like, it's. It's a. It takes two to tango. It's not gonna help you to.

[Daniel]

That's great.

[Maxine Dupree]

To hurt anyone else in the process, you know, totally you.

[Danielle Fishel]

That probably. That mentality is probably there for you from dance too. You know, like, the group needs to thrive in order for me to look as good as I possibly can.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. And I think it's similar where it's, like, there. It is an individual sport, but it's also a team sport.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep.

[Daniel]

That's great.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, now you've joined the vision. Yes. You are just a despicable heel. Me, I am so ashamed.

[Maxine Dupree]

I don't think I didn't do anything wrong.

[Danielle Fishel]

How has it felt being booed?

[Maxine Dupree]

It's amazing. I don't care about these people. I love hearing them upset. Like, y' all made me upset for years. Take that. Enjoy it. I do not care. I love it.

[Ryder Strong]

Is it fun?

[Daniel]

Is it really fun to play?

[Maxine Dupree]

That's the best.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Oh, that's awesome.

[Maxine Dupree]

I mean, I would be pissed, too, if. If they were looking at me hanging all over Austin theory. Sucks for them. They wish they could.

[Danielle Fishel]

Is that your a ring for Austin theory?

[Maxine Dupree]

Of course.

[Danielle Fishel]

Look at that ring.

[Maxine Dupree]

I know.

[Danielle Fishel]

I am very excited for an eventual Austin and Maxine versus Dom and Liv match.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yes. That's what everyone wants.

[Danielle Fishel]

I feel like that's got WrestleMania written all over it. Who else is in your sights?

[Maxine Dupree]

Sol Ruka, who's walking around with my title acting like it's hers.

[Daniel]

It was really great. It's kind of a nice, heavy belt.

[Ryder Strong]

It seemed kind of.

[Ad Voice]

It seemed.

[Daniel]

It seemed like it looked kind of at home on her shoulder, I'll be honest. You with.

[Maxine Dupree]

Oh, well, yeah. She is a little too comfortable, so I don't disagree. She probably does think that it's sitting right at home, but it won't be for long. It won't be for long. Yeah. I think I would love to get my hands on Sol Ruka. We have a crazy division, you know, I know Lyra has really taken out Bailey, which is super nice. So if she wants to, like, leave, you know, her sloppy seconds, I would. I'd hop on that, too.

[Ad Voice]

Okay.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

Wow. Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Got some matches to look forward to.

[Ryder Strong]

Just kind of the joy and happiness

[Daniel]

and then this underlying hatred where it's like, I can't wait to get that.

[Maxine Dupree]

They did that to me. Like, I was a joyful child. The WWE Universe caused this.

[Raquel Rodriguez]

Yeah.

[Maxine Dupree]

So I don't feel bad.

[Danielle Fishel]

So you have. We have to deal with it now.

[Maxine Dupree]

Exactly.

[Danielle Fishel]

Is there anyone in NXT right now that you know is going to dominate on one of the flagship shows?

[Maxine Dupree]

Oh, my gosh, yes. There's several. And is stacked. Jada Parker. Okay, I'm love. I love watching her. She has it like she has. She has it. Lola Vice, Kalani, Kendall Gray.

[Danielle Fishel]

Great.

[Maxine Dupree]

There's a ton like that whole division is Kelly Armstrong.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Maxine Dupree]

Love her.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay. Yeah, You've heard it here.

[Daniel]

It was amazing.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

I'm very excited.

[Maxine Dupree]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, Maxine, thank you so much for being here with us. This was really great. I can't wait to see where this all goes for you. I feel like you're really. Your claws are sunk in. And now it's getting very exciting.

[Maxine Dupree]

Thank you. Well, stay tuned, guys.

[Will Friedle]

We will.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you.

[Maxine Dupree]

Thank you.

[Daniel]

Thanks.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you all for listening to this episode of Pod Meets World. As always, you can follow us on Instagram Pod Meets World show. You can send us your emails podmeatsworldshowmail.com and we've got merch.

[Will Friedle]

What?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Will I call on you? What merch?

[Daniel]

Oh, I was trying to do the thing where you think you're out, but

[Ryder Strong]

you're not really out.

[Will Friedle]

Two.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, I'll count.

[Commercial Announcer]

Okay.

[Daniel]

Ready?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. One, two. No, no, no.

[Ryder Strong]

No merch.

[Daniel]

There we go.

[Danielle Fishel]

Perfect. Pod Meets World show. We love you all. Pod dismissed. Pod Meets World is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle and Ryder Strong, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo, producer and editor Tara Sarah Suedbacksh, producer Matty Moore, engineer and Boy Meets World super fan, Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon. Follow us on Instagram odmeatsworld show or email us at podmeatsworldshowmail.com this is Danielle

[Ryder Strong]

Fishel, Ryder Strong and Will Friedle from Pod Meets World.

[Danielle Fishel]

As a mom of two boys, car seats and strollers are a big deal. I want safe, stylish and affordable.

[Will Friedle]

And that's why I'm excited to talk about Joe Joy as a new grandfather.

[Ryder Strong]

I know a 360 seat is a game changer. With the Joy Pepper spin Si, I turn the seat towards me, reducing lower back strain and eliminating the need to bend uncomfortably into the car. And I'm a grandpa now. My back always hurts and it's the

[Danielle Fishel]

only car seat you'll need. Growing with your child from birth to approximately 12 years and we have a

[Will Friedle]

special promo for listeners. Get 20 off on Joybaby.com's entire seat site from now until October 15, 2026.

[Ryder Strong]

That's J-O I E baby.com use code

[Danielle Fishel]

POD20 that's P O D 20 Back to School Shopping used to be so simple, and then my kids developed opinions. Apparently not just any shoe will do. Luckily, Famous Footwear makes that part easy because they carry all the brands they actually want like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Jordan and more. Everyone gets the shoes they want. I get great prices and we can cross one more thing off the back to School list. That's a parenting win in my book. Right now it's Bogo. Buy one pair, get one half off at Famous Footwear Shop in store to get $10 to spend this fall. Some exclusions apply. Plus join famous rewards to get their best benefits, including free shipping A Better

[Ad Voice]

Help Ad One of the hardest parts about starting therapy? Not knowing what to expect. If you've never tried it before, it's natural to wonder whether therapy is right for you or if you'll find someone you connect with. But instead of listening to an ad, explore the stories of real people who've actually benefited from therapy. Visit betterhelp.com reviews to see the experiences of real BetterHelp clients and learn more about how finding the right therapist can change everything. BetterHelp has an average life therapy session rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on more than 1.7 million client session reviews. Use It's a simple way to see why so many people continue choosing BetterHelp when you're ready. BetterHelp makes getting started easy. Answer a few questions, match with a therapist based on your needs, and if it's not the right fit, you can switch therapists at any time. Insurance options may be available through select health plans. See the reviews, see what stands out, and see if BetterHelp is right for you. Visit betterhelp.com for 10% off. That's better.

[Ryder Strong]

Brought to you by the Spam brand

[Will Friedle]

Some foods or TV shows just instantly take you back to your childhood. Spam Classic is one of those foods.

[Ryder Strong]

It's so 90s, but also so iconic that the sight of it sizzling just makes your mouth water.

[Will Friedle]

Back then we had Spam Classic, but Today there are 12 irresistible varieties to choose from.

[Ryder Strong]

It's like picking your favorite Boy Meets World episode Impossible. There's Korean barbecue flavored jalapeno and 25% less sodium, just to name a a

[Will Friedle]

few Spam brand Sizzle Pork and learn

[Ryder Strong]

more and get [e-mail] this is an I heart podcast.

[Commercial Announcer]

Guaranteed human.