Taya Valkyrie is focused on one thing right now — winning.
MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard ahead of her title defense at MLW War Chamber. Taya recently aligned with Cesar Duran, John Hennigan and Sam Adonis, with fans being quick to note the connection to Lucha Underground.
Adonis might be new to the fold in Azteca Lucha, but Taya is happy to reunite with Duran and Hennigan and continue on with their winning ways.
“Obviously we have a long history with Cesar Duran. I’ve known him by other names. I’ve seen him in Boyle Heights, so it really was a match made in heaven and pretty easy to join powers with him and take over MLW. We’ve done that and will continue to do that. It’s very exciting,” Taya explained. “it’s been a long time since John and I have been able to work together. We actually realized we haven’t worked together since summer of 2019 on TV because of him returning to WWE and different things, so it was really fun to get back in the mix with him. Our chemistry is perfect and we just know each other so well. So, lots of fun surprises. We’re here to win. We’re here to continue collecting gold and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Valkyrie is the only MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion so far, and still holds the record for longest single reign with the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Championship. Valkyrie, a current Knockouts Tag Team Champion, noted she also has the record for that title as well as the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship. She reflected on her Knockouts title reign and said she was proud to be part of that legacy and wants to do the same with the MLW title she currently holds.
“I know how to defend championships, and the proof is there. I’ve done it over and over and over again. I think when I was Knockouts Champion, that was my first real, big American championship, and representing a company like that and the legacy that represents, like the years and years of Knockouts that came before me as champions. So I took that extremely seriously, and I do the same with the MLW Women’s Featherweight Championship as well. I’m the first woman to be a champion within the world of MLW, and I’ve defended it over and over again against some of the best in the world, up-and-comers and veterans, and everybody. So, this title defense at War Chamber is just another opportunity to prove why I’m the best in the world.”
In regards to her status with IMPACT Wrestling, it was recently reported that Valkyrie has finished up with the company and she is likely headed for AEW or WWE. Asked if she would like to comment, Valkyrie said that people should stop overanalyzing things and just enjoy the ride.
“I love gossip. I woke up to a bunch of texts from people and social media blowing up, but it is what it is. It’s gossip, people will talk. Honestly, keep talking,” Valkyrie said. “I’m just gonna sit here and keep doing my thing. Just enjoy the ride, everybody. Enjoy the ride. You’re meant to be entertained. Stop trying to figure it all out. It will all work out in the end. So enjoy it. Watch pro wrestling everywhere. I obviously have dedicated over a decade of my life to this, and I’m going to continue to do that. So, just enjoy the show.”
Valkyrie’s name has also been a point of speculation about AEW since Jade Cargill issued a Canadian Open Challenge for Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite in Winnipeg. Valkyrie seemed to shut that rumor down too, noting she plans on being at home in the United States.
“I will be in Los Angeles, California,” Valkyrie said. I will be here in my house with my dogs. John will be back from Australia, so yeah, I’ll be here.”
Fans will be able to see Taya Valkyrie on MLW Underground Tuesdays on REELZ and on IMPACT Wrestling on AXS TV. She will defend the MLW Women’s Featherweight Championship against Delmi Exo at MLW War Chamber on April 6.
Check out our full video interview with Taya below:
More must-reads: