Tay Conti recently spoke with Aubrey Edwards and Tony Schiavone on the latest episode of the AEW Unrestricted Podcast During the discussion, they talked about her signing with the promotion shortly after she was released from WWE.
Conti debuted with AEW in their tag team tournament that they hosted last summer pairing with Anna Jay.
“It was like, oh my god, I really like it here. It’s so different. The first five minutes that I got there, I was like holy crap, it’s totally different from my previous job. So I really liked it, and then I stayed there for the whole day and then after, Tony, Brandi, and Cody talked to me about the opportunity to go for the tag tournament. And I was like, yeah, let’s do it.” [h/t – Wrestling Inc.]
She discussed how fast her signing came after she participated in the tag tournament and how she was leery at first about it based off of her previous experience with WWE.
“It was like, I will keep coming and let’s see if we like each other because that was the conversation because since I was not really happy in my previous job, I was like, I don’t know if I want to sign a contract long-term and be unhappy again.“
She continues, “When they offered it to me, I was like, you know what, I’m pretty sure that I’m happy here. So I’m gonna sign it. I remember my first match after they announced that I got signed, I was so emotional. Let me tell you, I cry a lot. I couldn’t handle myself because that was a new beginning for me.
A couple of months ago, I thought my career in wrestling was over and here I am in a big platform in a place that I’m happy. I’m actually happy. I can be myself. I don’t feel I’m a judged. When I was like doing my entrance, I was like, damn, I forgot that I had to be Tay Conti. I was Taynara in that moment. I’m so damn grateful. That’s how I feel right now. Every time I gotta go there, It’s like, damn, I gotta go to work. Yes, let’s go! Let’s do it!”
Since signing with AEW, Conti has been a break out star. She has put together win after win and has had victories against The Bunny, Red Velvet, and former AEW Women’s Champion Nyla Rose. Conti explains why things are going better this time around. It is quite simple, she is happy now.
She has even had her first televised title match against AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida back in April which was highly praised by fans.
“Because I’m happy 100%,” Conti said. “Of course, I have a great trainer. Dustin’s doing great work with me, and I’m grateful for him. I have more time to watch matches, but all of this is happening because I’m happy with myself. I can be who I am without being judged. I can try things. I feel that people trust me.
I don’t have that pressure on my back every single time like, oh, should I say hi. Should I walk with my right foot or my left? I don’t have that. So that’s why I’m happy, and I can do better. I feel like every time you are happy, everything is better. You can do your best.”
Conti’s next match will be this Monday on Dark: Elevation. She will be facing Queen Aminata. Other matches for this Monday include Abadon vs. Leila Grey, Thunder Rosa vs. Ashley D’Amboise, and Nyla Rose vs. Robyn Renegade.
What have you thought about Tay Conti’s time in AEW so far? Leave your thoughts below.
