In September 2020, Mercedes Martinez made her WWE Raw as part of RETRIBUTION under the name RETALIATION.
Her run with RETRIBUTION didn't last long as she headed back to NXT and back to using Mercedes Martinez.
Speaking to Graham Matthews of Daily DDT, Martinez discussed RETRIBUTION not being the right opportunity for her at the time.
"I have to always put forth what is great for my career now. I can't look in the future. I don't know what could happen in the future. I have to take the opportunity and what is best for Mercedes Martinez' career at this moment. With RETRIBUTION, I took the opportunity but it wasn't the right opportunity and it didn't feel right in my heart to be there. With the RETRIBUTION members, I praise them and wish them all the best. They're doing what they have to do and take the opportunity to kill it. For me, on a personal level, it wasn't the right opportunity for me. I took it, it felt off, and I wanted something for right now so people can see what Mercedes Martinez can do now. Longevity is the name of the game. With RETRIBUTION, as much as I loved the opportunity and I'm blessed to have it, it wasn't for me and we all agreed," she said.
Martinez returned to NXT in December 2020, immediately going after reigning NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai.
When asked if coming to Raw or SmackDown is still the goal, Martinez replied, "The name of the game is to get to WrestleMania and win a title there or be a champion on Raw or SmackDown. That's the ultimate platform. Will it come in a month? Who knows, but that's the goal to be there. I want to do it as Mercedes Martinez and the badass everyone knows and loves. That's what my future is. When it happens, I don't know."
Martinez is set to take on Dakota Kai on Tuesday's episode of NXT.
Figthful will have live coverage of NXT beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
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