Nikki Cross has opened up about her departure from WWE, admitting that the end of her decade-long run with the company came unexpectedly.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Cross said saying goodbye was particularly difficult because of the attachment she develops to the characters she portrays. “It was unexpected. It was unexpected for every character I’ve played. Whether it be Sanity, whether it be Nikki A S H, even Nikki Storm when I said goodbye to her in 2016 before I joined WWE and Abby the Witch, I always feel attached to the characters, so it’s always difficult to say goodbye.”
Cross spent approximately ten years with WWE and said she leaves with friendships and experiences that will remain with her long after her time with the company. “With WWE, I was there for 10 years. I got to travel the world. I got to make amazing friends, make these incredible friendships with people like Sarah Schreiber, with people like Giulia, and I get to take them forever.”
While acknowledging the significance of closing such a major chapter of her life, Cross said she is approaching what comes next with excitement. “It’s always hard to say goodbye to such a substantial, significant chapter in your life. That being said, I’m so excited for my next chapter, and I’m so excited for what’s next for myself, and I can’t wait to go out to the world and go out to the galaxy.”
Cross also spoke about the bond she formed with the other members of the Wyatt Sicks. As Abby the Witch, she worked alongside Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, Bo Dallas and Erick Rowan in the faction. “Myself and Dexter and Joe Gacy, Bo Dallas and Erick Rowan, we’ve shared something that I don’t know if anyone will ever be able to relate to: the five of us sharing this experience.”
For Cross, leaving WWE therefore meant more than simply moving on from another wrestling character. It also meant separating from a group of people with whom she shared a unique period of her career. “So it’s always hard to say goodbye, but I think I don’t ever want to be stuck in the past.”
Rather than dwelling on the end of her WWE run, Cross is now looking at what she can accomplish during the next stage of her career. “It was a great 10 years, but I’m also excited for the next 10 years.”
