Maxxine Dupri talks about her first-ever singles match on the WWE main roster, her nerves before the match, and utilizing a variation of Manami Toyota's Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex.
Maxxine Dupri had her first-ever singles match and only her second match altogether on the July 31 episode of Monday Night Raw, where she defeated Valhalla. She did so by utilizing the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex, made famous by Joshi wrestling legend Manami Toyota.
Speaking with Sean Ross Sapp in an interview recorded prior to WWE SummerSlam 2023, Maxxine said it was Chad Gable's idea for her to use the move and she's excited to use it more going forward.
"I got to give credit where it's due. Coach Gable sent it to me. He said, 'This is what I think you should do.' He taught it to me and got me ready for it, and I'm just so excited that it was successful, and I'm grateful that everyone took to it. I'm also grateful that it's given me this dangerous move that I can use in the future," she said.
Speaking about her nerves before that first match, she would say that while she was nervous, the WWE schedule kept her busy enough on July 31 that she didn't have enough time to allow the jitters to set in. Dupri does say, however, that it is well-known that she is generally nervous.
"I was so nervous. Thankfully, we were so busy on Monday," Dupri said. "We were at the Texans in the morning, and then we were filming stuff all day. So it was like one of those things where the nerves couldn't even get the best of me because I had no time to think about it. So that ended up being a blessing. Because I was like, 'Alright, we're going. I can't even think about it.' I'm a very nervous person in general. They know that I'm always nervous and pacing, so it's nothing out of the ordinary."
Dupri also discussed working with Alpha Academy's Otis & Gable on screen, saying that she's grateful for them because they are teaching her a lot both in front of and behind the camera.
"They are both two of the most underrated WWE superstars, athletes, whatever you want to call it, ever. They are so talented and brilliant. I can't even explain to you how much I'm learning from them on such a real level. They truly are guiding me in so many ways in and out of the ring. Truly, if I wasn't paired with them, I don't think that [my debut singles match] would have happened. My success wouldn't be what it was, and I'm just I'm grateful for the opportunity to be working with both of them," she said.
On the July 17 episode of WWE Raw, Alpha Academy battled The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) in a Viking Rules match. Maxxine Dupri would be involved in that match, leading to her first singles match on the main roster. Chad Gable recently said that that match was cut for time. Learn more about that here.
Dupri is currently undefeated on the main roster but has not competed since her first singles match with Valhalla on July 31.
Chad Gable competes for the WWE Intercontinental Tonight on WWE Raw.
