Ariane Andrew Almost Turned Down AEW Opportunity, Praises Backstage Environment

After four years away from the ring, Ariane Andrew returned to compete in the AEW Women’s Tag Team Cup Tournament in July. 

Andrew, known as Cameron and one half of the Funkadactyls alongside Naomi in WWE, was training for a comeback earlier in the year before COVID canceled events across the country. She got her opportunity in AEW, but nearly turned it down. 

“It was really refreshing. I just wanted to keep it real and I almost wanted to say no to the opportunity because I haven’t been in the ring. I was training at the beginning of the year, before COVD happened, for EFFY’s Big Gay Brunch to have a match, because I hadn’t been in (the ring) and it was a lot of pressure and last minute, I almost said no. ‘How the fuck am I even going to look? I’m going to look like shit. I only have a little wrestling experience and on top of that, what is the backstage going to be like?’ I said, you know what, don’t do it for fans, family, or management, who are you doing this for? I was doing it for myself because I wanted to prove that if you can face a fear, it’s the most rewarding thing. Everybody there is so friendly. It’s a different environment, people want to see you win there. It’s such a family. Once I was able to go backstage, I was like, ‘Damn, this is what life is about?’ I love it. It’s very different and I was not used to it. The experience was great. There are things I wish I could redo because we didn’t have time to go over stuff but nothing is ever really perfect. As long as I can say I did my best, given the circumstances,” she told Women’s Wrestling Talk. 

Andrew, teaming with Nyla Rose, lost in the first round to Tay Conti and Anna Jay in the tournament. 

She said in the interview that she is not done in the ring, but wouldn’t reveal further plans for her in-ring career. 

If you use any of the quotes above, please give a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.