Since her release from the WWE back in 2017, Tenille Dashwood (FKA Emma) has opened a new chapter in her wrestling career and with it, a passion resurgence for the business with three or four shows a week every weekend.
In an interview with TV Insider, Dashwood discusses her return to the independents, advice she’s received from Cody Rhodes, reaction to the IIconics making their main roster debut and more. Highlights of the interview below.
Returning to the independents: “It made me feel things will be okay. That there is a different lifestyle out there and this way it can be a bit more rewarding doing things on my time and on my schedule and my way. It can be a little scary in the beginning, not knowing what’s coming. But once everything started to unravel and appearances were set, it just feels like the same kind of thing I was doing. It’s just a little more rewarding meeting the fans, having merchandise for them, and all those little things that come with it now.”
Renewing her passion for wrestling: “I feel revived and alive again with wrestling. I started this because I love wrestling. Back when I was younger in Australia, I wanted to be a wrestler and loved what I did with WWE. It’s completely different now. It’s not five minutes on TV where I’m asked to do such and such. It’s having competitive singles matches every night. There are different opponents every night. I’m meeting new people and improving my own skills every time by working with different people in the ring. It got me going again.”
Afdvice she received from Cody Rhodes: “We talked about how to go about things and make sure I enjoy it and taking advantage of the opportunities I have now. Just to do the things I haven’t been able to do in years. With WWE you don’t always get to do things the way you like to do them, so now he said to remember that I’m in control and can do things my way. To be doing things for a reason and to wrestle around the world. And not to do it for job, but to do it because you love and enjoy it and travel and meet people and wrestle. It was to remember all that.”
IIconics debut to SmackDown: “I kind of knew it was coming, but I told them not to tell me if it’s happening because I wanted to be in the moment. I called Peyton out. I called her a liar. I said, ‘You’re not at home right now.’ She was like, ‘Oops you got me.’ I said, ‘No, don’t tell me!’ I have been friends with those girls for years. I just talked to the girls yesterday. They are on the European tour right now. We always catch up. We stay in contact. They come over my house, and we go into the hot tub. We’re good friends. I’m so excited for them. Seeing them really warms my heart doing what they love. I know what it feels like to have those big moments and that feeling. So, I’m happy for them.”
On the return of Taste of Tenille: “We’re talking with people now. I have people ask me all the time when the show is coming back. That makes me excited to work on that project. When I’m home I love to cook, and the evolvement of that is when I’m on the road I like to find places. Little dives or little local places that people like to hang out and enjoy special food or a city that is known for something I want to try it. I’m a huge foodie. I want to share that with part of my life again … I would love to have a TV show that has to do with travel, food and lifestyle. I have fans who have been through everything with me, so I want to give back to them and share what I’m doing more. Right now, it’s about enjoying my life and balancing all that I love.”
Dashwood also discusses ROH’s fan base and growing up as a wrestling fan.
You can read the full interview here.
What did you think of the interview? Have you enjoyed seeing Tenille on the independents? Would you like to see Taste of Tenille return? Let us know in the comments below!
