Nia Jax recalls breaking Becky Lynch's face.
Becky Lynch was scheduled to face Ronda Rousey at the 2018 Survivor Series event. That match would never come to be and ultimately, that would lead Becky Lynch to become the megastar that she is today.
That is because of Nia Jax.
In the lead-up to Survivor Series, the SmackDown brand, led by Becky Lynch, invaded the Monday Night Raw brand and Becky Lynch would have her face broken courtesy of Nia Jax. Of course, this was incidental and now, Nia Jax is recalling the incident.
Speaking to Renee Paquette on her podcast, The Sessions, Nia Jax reveals what actually happened that night and says that she didn't actually punch Becky Lynch, her fist wasn't closed, but it did connect. She also reveals that she thought it was Lana behind her.
"SmackDown was invading Raw. The producer of that match, won't name names, basically was like, 'this needs to look real. Say sorry later.' We were all like, 'Cool. Let's go. Let's go have fun.' Being the larger person, I feel that people are like, 'Oh, we can hit the shit out of her, she'll be fine,' which is true. For the most part, I get wailed and I'm like, 'whatever, I'm okay.' Right when they invaded, I feel everybody came after me, which is okay, but I was getting nailed in the back of my head. 'Okay, I get it.' Finally, I found Trin [Naomi], I love her, and I'm like, 'Sis, let's sit in the corner,' just talking shit in the corner. I continue to get punched in the back of the head. 'Good lord.' I turn around and go to clear the person, my fist wasn't closed, I didn't punch her, but it did connect. I didn't realize it was Becky, I thought it was Lana. I did that, didn't realize anything happened. I got back to Trin, we keep going, I look around and I'm like, 'there is blood everywhere. Oh crap, Becky is out.' We go through the segment, everything happens, and I'm like, 'Shit, was that me?' Get backstage, she got taken to medical immediately and I'm worried about her. I'm also freaking out because they are slow replaying it, Kevin sends the replay to Vince in Gorilla. It's replaying slow and they are cutting to every angle. 'I'm so screwed.' I go to check on her and of course, medical is like, 'everyone out, give her space.'"
Nia Jax further reveals Vince McMahon's reaction to the incident. McMahon, having seen the industry go from Bruno Sammartino to Roman Reigns, stated that other performers should be thanking Nia Jax because now, she was a true heel and suggested that she play into the role.
"I go to Vince and go, 'I'm so sorry.' He's laughing. I walk away, I'm texting Becky and making sure she's okay. Just bugging the shit out of her. Of course, Becky is like, 'I'm fine.' Before Survivor Series, I had this cut on my knuckle, I don't know if it was from the hit. I was texting [WWE social media guy] Mickie and he's like, 'You're getting so much shit online.' 'Should I go with it?' 'Just run with it.' I sent out a tweet, something stupid like, 'Is anyone asking how my hand is doing?' Of course, the internet went ablaze, and hated my guts. That night of Survivor Series, somebody else was supposed to go over, but it got back to Vince how much the internet was hating me that he changed the finish because he wanted the heat. When my music hit, the crowd was booing the shit out of me, it was insane. Vince was like, 'All those babyfaces should be thanking you. We have a true legitimate heel here. You go out there, point at that fist, and smile.' From then on, I just played into the role."
Speaking of the backlash that she would receive online, Nia Jax recently revealed in the same interview that despite what many fans think, her job was not secured because of her bloodline. Learn more here.
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