It’s a pleasure for the WWE Universe to witness the former Divas like Layla back on TV, even if it’s for a one-off occasion. They bring out the rawness just like the WWE products used to be, back in the days. Sometimes, a few of them are also interested in making a comeback to one last match but that doesn’t seem to bother the above-mentioned name, at all. She would rather be happy in meeting the fans who rarely appear in the pandemic era.
During an appearance on The Wrestling INC Daily Podcast, Layla focused on her bygone WWE career. She noted on dealing with a tough decision to retire from the ring in 2015. As usual, the constant travel took a physical toll on her body which was too much for her.
Ex-Divas Champion Layla Says She Misses Working In WWE
The Diva Search winner cum the former women’s champion wanted to branch out of the WWE life and move to the after-life following her career. She didn’t really want to look back until the last year or so where Layla started missing the fans and realized that she needed to make more appearances to meet fans. However, she is not open to come back to wrestling. Rather, she wants to show up in capacities that would be non-physical.
“I took a break. I needed a break for myself. I was with WWE for about nine years,” she said. “I was supposed to do these appearances and backed out. I wasn’t sure. I kind of got scared of being in the public eye. I didn’t want attention. I did my first appearance, and it was just fun, lighthearted. I thought, ‘Why not?’ Plus I wanted to see the fans again,” Layla continued.
Layla Reveals Her Dream Opponent In WWE
“Fans would ask on social media why I didn’t do appearances. Are you going to come back to wrestling? No, but maybe appearances. It just naturally happened, which I’m glad it did. It’s so nice to see the fans again and feel the warmth from fans and the support. I miss that, but I also like the idea that I can go in for a couple of hours and leave again.”
Layla opened up on retirement
While the Britain-born Diva appeared to be a carefree female superstar on the roster, she gradually grew up as days passed by in the WWE. Initially, she wanted the attention of a performer starting at a young age. This is the reason why she started being a cruise ship entertainer to Miami Heat dancer to go on to become a pro wrestler. But at one point, Layla wanted to sit and observe rather being watched on TV.
“I was getting older. I’m mid-life right now. Those days are gone,” she added. “You get to a point as a woman, it’s really hard to age in the public eye. It really is. I didn’t want that for myself. I didn’t want to go out there. I stayed too long. I think I should have maybe retired three years before I did. That was the thought process for me. I didn’t want to get hurt. I didn’t want to get injured. In my head, I was kind of nervous. My time was gone.” (Quotes courtesy Wrestling INC)
Initially starting with Smackdown brand, WWE moved Layla to the ECW brand in 2007 for the Extreme Exposé segments with Kelly Kelly and Brooke Adams. She is best known for her alliance with Michelle McCool as LayCool that earned her the first Women’s Championship in 2010. Later in 2012, she won the WWE Divas Championship upon her return from a year-long absence.
