Nyla Rose remains hopeful that another opportunity in AEW will eventually come her way after spending nearly two years away from the company’s in-ring programming.
The former AEW Women’s World Champion remains under contract and has continued contributing behind the scenes while also wrestling on the independent scene.
Speaking with Denise Salcedo, Rose admitted that her lengthy absence from AEW television has been difficult at times. “It is a little hard, it is a little frustrating,” Rose said. “In this business, you do have to be a little bit selfish to a degree, right? You can be selfish while being selfless. And this, I think, is one of those moments. I want more for myself. I want to do more. I want to entertain you guys more in a multitude of ways.”
Despite wanting another opportunity for herself, Rose said she has enjoyed watching the continued development of AEW’s women’s division, including Mercedes Moné’s rise to the AEW Women’s Championship and Willow Nightingale’s journey. “So, it is a little frustrating when things like that happen, but there are amazing things happening. There are great things happening,” she said. “So being able to kind of sit back and see these things, see like Mercedes [Mone] rise to the top and win the AEW Women’s Championship. And now she’s starting to butt heads with Thekla. Things like this. Willow’s whole journey.”
Rose can appreciate those stories while still wondering when she will get another chance to make her mark. “Like, things like that. It’s like, okay, you know, we can sit back and enjoy this as well, but damnit, when’s my turn?”
In the meantime, Rose has described the current stage of her career as her “side-quest era.” She has remained active outside AEW, including appearances for Marigold in Japan and Pro Wrestling EVE.
Rose is also scheduled to face Charity King inside a steel cage at Athena’s Metroplex Wrestling Who Runs The World? event on September 18 in Fort Worth, Texas.
The time away from AEW television has also led to moments of self-doubt for Rose, who said encouragement from fans and fellow wrestlers has helped her through those periods. “If I can be a little vulnerable for a moment, sometimes being on this side of things, we have a little bit of self doubt and we kind of question ourselves,” Rose said. “Then with my situation being what it is, those things are kind of amplified a little bit.”
Rose specifically highlighted Athena’s decision to include her on the upcoming Metroplex Wrestling event as something that has meant a great deal to her. “So to have someone like Athena who is — living legend. I’m sorry, I’m going to say it. Like, she is the Mount Rushmore. She is top of the top. And for her to see enough in me that she wants me to be a part of things, that quells some of those self doubts that I have.” Rose concluded: “So, it’s very much a privilege. I don’t take it lightly, and I’m very blessed and honored that she lets me be a part of this.”
For now, Rose continues to stay active outside AEW while waiting to see when her next opportunity with the company will arrive.
