Blake Monroe Says She Regrets Using Her Real Name in Wrestling – NXT star Blake Monroe recently opened up about her transition from AEW to WWE, revealing that she regrets ever using her real name, Mariah, as her in-ring persona.
Before joining WWE, Monroe gained recognition under the name Mariah May in AEW and on the independent scene. After leaving AEW, she signed with WWE and debuted in NXT as Blake Monroe. However, the 26-year-old admitted during an interview with Busted Open Radio that performing under her real name, Mariah May Mead, never felt right to her.
“Yeah, I mean, I had a fantastic experience and I did things I’m so proud of and cherish, and I did everything I needed to do. I feel like I told a great story. I feel like I made people feel something, and it’s time to close that chapter, and it’s time to start a new one, and like getting a new name and a whole new experience. There are so many women here. Like women’s wrestling is very important in WWE. And that’s something, as a woman, like, I want to be a part of. And just, like I said, all these different matches and possibilities, for me, it just was a great deal. And it was just a challenge. I want a challenge.”
When asked about the name change from Mariah to Blake Monroe and which identity she preferred, Monroe said using her real name in the ring felt “weird” and that she’s glad to have moved on to something new. She also revealed that her new ring name holds personal significance.
“No, because if you’re familiar with my prior name, I feel like it was the end to a story, and I cherish that, and I feel like it’s kind of cool that she died, almost, and that’s done. And also, I can’t turn back time, so I never really think about it, but Mariah was my real name, and I wish I never used it in wrestling. Because it’s weird. But I did it and I can’t change it. But just the chance to start something new. And I feel like, you know, with WWE, it’s like, hey, we’re going to make this new thing and we’re going to make it a megastar. And I feel like week by week we do that. And yeah, I love it. And it’s also a tribute to my niece.”
Monroe’s comments highlight her desire for reinvention and her enthusiasm for the opportunities WWE provides, particularly within its growing women’s division.
Blake Monroe Says She Regrets Using Her Real Name in Wrestling
