Madison Rayne spoke with Brian Fritz for Sporting News ahead of tomorrow’s Ring Of Honor Final Battle pay-per-view. Rayne is competing in a Four Corners Survival match for the Women Of Honor World Championship:
Rayne talks about why Ring Of Honor was the best fit for her at this time in her career:
“They believe in me and I believe in them. There’s life outside of wrestling and that’s always been a motivating factor for me. I’ve been able to live this dream, travel the world, but never be gone so much that I can’t fulfill all of my other dreams of being a mom and a wife and a personal trainer and going back to school. For me, it’s the better fit that allows me that freedom with my schedule. My hope in signing this contract with Ring of Honor is to write another successful chapter for myself, but also I hope in some small way, that I can help grow Women of Honor and make it what it could be and what it’s on track to being.”
Rayne explains how close she almost got to leaving the wrestling business:
“I would have been OK with it because, for me, I feel like I had a really successful career at Impact. I feel like I was able to contribute to a division that has been strong for many years and continues to be. I’ve seen places in this world that I didn’t know existed prior to going there. I came close enough that there was a serious sit-down conversation between my husband (Impact Wrestling broadcast Josh Mathews) and I in our house. I never got to a point in my brain where I said to myself, ‘I’m done.’ I had strong enough thoughts that it was at least a conversation. For me, that’s close enough.”
Madison says she has a few short-term goals after attempting to win the title tomorrow night:
“My short-term, personal goal after winning the Women of Honor Championship is to be part of that history-making show at Madison Square Garden (in April). I joke and say that it’s only natural that Madison Rayne would be at Madison Square Garden, but on more serious note, Ring of Honor is making history in doing this show. I still don’t know that I’ve completely wrapped my brain around how big that’s going to be for wrestling, for Ring of Honor, and for Women of Honor.”
Women Of Honor Champion Sumie Sakai Gives Credit To Beth Phoenix & Talks Final Battle
ROH Final Battle airs LIVE from New York City on Friday, December 14 at a new start time of 8pm Eastern (Please use your local time) on traditional pay-per-view providers, free for HonorClub VIP, at a 50% discount for HonorClub Standard, and on FITE TV. Please visit ROHWrestling.com or the ROH App for more information.