Roxanne Perez: When I Entered The Royal Rumble I Felt Like ‘Wow, I Belong Here’

Roxanne Perez talks about her first Royal Rumble experience and feels like she’s earned the opportunity she’s being given.

Roxanne Perez was fortunate enough to participate in her first Royal Rumble match at the 2023 WWE Royal Rumble spectacular in her home state of Texas. Entering the match at number 8, Roxanne Perez was given a chance to show the WWE Universe at large what she is capable of.

Now, she’s reflecting on her experience.

Speaking about the Royal Rumble, Roxanne Perez told Tommy Dreamer, Mickie James, and Dave LaGreca on Busted Open Radio that in the days leading up to the event, she was almost sure she would cry when she entered the ring. Instead, she says she entered feeling confident in her abilities and believing she belonged in the spot she was given.

“The Royal Rumble, I was so nervous in the days leading up to it. Growing up as a kid, the top two pay-per-views that I always wanted to be in were the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania,” she said. “So, I was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to do it, I’m going to walk out as the countdown ends, crying my eyes out.’ I walked out and I didn’t cry at all, which I was proud of myself. When I won the championship, it was like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is real.’ When I walked out at the Royal Rumble it was more of, ‘Wow, I belong here. I’ve worked so hard for this. I’m here and I did it and I belong here.’ Yeah, I think it’s changed a little bit from — obviously, I’m still a fan at heart and I’m always gonna be, but it’s changed from getting signed and being like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe it,’ to ‘Wow, I can believe it.’ I don’t deserve it, but I worked hard for it.”

There is no rest for the current NXT Women’s Championship, as just seven days after competing in her first Royal Rumble Match, Perez is set to defend her Women’s Championship in a Triple Threat Match against Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin at NXT Vengeance Day. 

Fans can check out the current lineup for NXT Vengeance Day by clicking here. 

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