Lilian Garcia Talks Announcing Botches, How Different Cena Is Backstage, And Being Serenaded By Viscera

Former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia recently hosted a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) and was asked about a wide range of topics on her time in WWE, including a superstar that is different backstage compared to their personalities inside the ring.

"I think I'd have to say John Cena, in that when he's out there – the big, and animated, just bigger than life persona… backstage, he's quiet and humble and it's different," Garcia said. "Yeah, it's a different persona. Kind of the same with Roman Reigns, very quiet and humble. I've noticed that with a lot of guys. They definitely know how to turn on the entertainer switch."

When a fan asked about her botches, Garcia talked about a time when she was announcing a show in Toronto and incorrectly called the venue the Air American Center, possibly confusing the Air Canada Center, where Garcia made the botch, with American Airlines Center. The venue in Texas is home to the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and WWE has hosted several shows there, including the Monday Night RAW after WrestleMania 32 last year.

"I think it was pretty funny when I was in Toronto, even before the show, and I said, we were in the Air Canada Center, and I said, 'Welcome to the Air American Center,'" Garcia said. "The crowd was like "What?" And I played it off that I was just kidding with them. The difference between being a ring announcer and a commentator is we don't have the chance to say 'excuse me, or I mean' we just have to live with it."

In regards to the storyline Garcia had with Viscera, the former WWE employee said it was her favorite storyline during her time with the company. 

"I remember that they – I don't remember who it was. But they told me that Viscera was going to come out and serenade me in the ring," Garcia said. "And from there, it became such a huge watched episode and the response was so big, that's when they decided to turn it into a storyline. It was never supposed to be a thing. I loved working with him. Such a big teddy bear, a loveable guy. He always thanked me for getting him a part in that storyline, and I always laughed and thanked him. I miss him. May he rest in peace. What a beautiful soul."

The full AMA can be seen at this link.