Layla El is considered to be one of the trailblazers of the WWE Women’s Division although many feel that she doesn’t receive the deserved credits. Along with Michelle McCool, she carried the female roster at a point when it was being converted into the Divas division from the traditional Women’s division. Now, she is retired from competition which really means it.
She is one of the very few pro wrestlers who don’t want to be back in the competition since it’s physically demanding. Layla also believes that she should have stepped away from in-ring action much earlier than in 2015. The trailblazing former women’s champion appears to be her own worst critic while appearing in a conversation with Wrestling Inc Podcast,
“I think what it was when I look back now, I see myself. The last few years I was there. I just felt I looked old compared to the other girls. I was 10, 12 years older than most of the locker room then.”
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Layla El also noted a very interesting topic on how male performers in professional wrestling are treated differently than their female counterparts in many ways. The double standards are obviously there when it comes to veterans who are allowed to perform even in their 50s. On the flip side, women are forced to tone down as they approach their 40s.
“Men can age and be able to still be used the ring and still work. For the women not really,” Layla said. “One of the only ones is Mickie James. She was there full-time. I’m not saying having a run, coming in, and leaving. I get that. I can see [imbalance] happening with most of the past divas who are older.”
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Layla revealed the mental and physical stress that WWE brings along
For the two-time Women’s Champion, it was a matter of taking the bumps a little more on the road. A mental pressure was always there to keep herself going. The pressure was eventually doubled as she was part of the Divas era where demands for females would feel like an uphill battle.
While Total Divas was introduced by the WWE, Layla was still very much of an active superstar in the WWE and she wanted to be part of the show only to be denied for the reality show in 2013.
“I wanted to be on ‘Total Divas.’ I wanted to be on that. I love reality shows,” she added. “Stuff like that. I didn’t get that obviously. That was one thing I wish I could have done. Things happen for a reason. I feel fortunate that I attained so much in my career that sometimes you get no, and you have to take it. You can’t get everything all the time.” (Quotes courtesy Wrestling Inc)
It should be noted that one of Layla’s key successes came against Total Divas stars, Bella Twins over the years. She even defeated Nikki Bella to win the Divas championship. She was also in the same 2006 Diva Search group alongside Bella to win the competition.
