Taya Valkyrie: We Don’t Know What’s Going On With Lucha Underground
Impact Wrestling and Lucha Underground star Taya Valkyrie was recently interviewed by Wrestling Epicenter. You can hear the full interview above, or read it at this link, and check out submitted highlights below.
Intergender matches:
"Inter-gender matches have been a part of Lucha Libre forever, ever, and ever. We did lots of mixed-tags and different scenarios like that on AAA TV. I'm sure if people looked it up, it wasn't my first time inter-gender wrestling. But with Brian (Cage), what he said is exactly the truth! I came in there. There was no change in speed, strength, or anything. That was my first match in Lucha Underground. As someone who has always had to fight for recognition, it was just one more opportunity for me to be like, "You know what? They think I'm going to go in there and let this guy beat me up and not have fire. I have more fire when you tell me I can't do something or put me in a position where I am the underdog. I'm so thankful Brian (Cage) is the artist and professional that he is. He let me show how strong I am as a professional wrestler and as a performer. I can't wait to have my rematch! (laughs)"
Lucha Underground Season 4 and if we'll ever get it:
"Ugh! Honestly, we are in the same position as all of you. We don't know what's going on. It's been a frustrating situation for all of us. It's been 15 months since we filmed Ultima Lucha Tres! We love making that product. It is a totally different product than anything else in the wrestling world. We're like sitting ducks waiting. But, that's why it is cool that we all have these different opportunities like I went to Japan twice last year, I'm now doing stuff with Impact. I got to travel across the States and wrestle anyone that I want. Take it for what it is. I'm just really excited and hoping we get some news really soon about it."
What really happened leading to her leaving AAA:
"Well, of course they're going to say different! (laughs) I know the truth because I lived the truth. That's fine. Let them say what they're going to say to make some people with the name called Vampiro look bad. (laughs) It is what it is. I couldn't go down to TV because I got into a car accident. They then stripped me of the title without telling me. Got back the title by lying to Johnny about it. It was a big old mess. But, I am not a grudge holder. I don't believe in closing doors. I'm continuing to live my life. With that said, what happened sucked. I really felt taken advantage of by a company I had so much loyalty towards. I felt really betrayed. The family down in AAA, they are my family! They protected me and took care of me and had me become who I am today within the Lucha Libre community… And then then went and did this. It really pissed me off. It didn't have anything to do with the belt itself. It had to do with a respect and a loyalty. A lot of people left the company. I decided to stay and be loyal to the company and got kicked in the butt. It was hard for me on a personal level because it felt like a betrayal. It is what it is. I would never wish bad on anybody or a company. But, i want them to recognize what they did… Yeah, I've heard these weird apologies from Vamp. it just doesn't make any sense. Everybody should just be honest with what happened and we'll move on. I'm an adult. I don't have time for childish games."
You can read the full interview at this link.