Nikki Cross is trying to bring a little more positivity into the world.
Appearing on El Brunch de WWE, the Raw Superstar spoke about her recent transformation and revealed that it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment idea. Instead, she said that it began taking shape around the Royal Rumble. Cross, who unveiled the new look on June 21, went on to explain the message she is trying to send. Here is what she said:
"So, the idea started to form right about the Royal Rumble. For me, I've always really took a lot of inspiration, a lot of comfort, a lot of escapism in superhero movies and superhero television shows. Growing up in Scotland, as a little girl, I would always watch the X-Men cartoons and the Spider-Man cartoon. So for me, I really wanted to come up with something that was very inspirational to little girls and boys and just something that's a very positive message. So for me, it's the whole thing. The whole message is I don't have superpowers. I don't have super speed. I don't have super strength. I cant fly, unfortunately. But you don't need any of that. You don't need superpowers to be a superhero. You can be a superhero by being good to people. To be kind. To always try and look out for others and stand up for those in need. For me, that's the really important message. We can always be better, we can always do better. The idea is I put on this cape, I put the mask on, I put this outfit on, this lovely cute little leotard, I put on these wrist gauntlets and I can try anything. That's the message of almost-a-superhero. I'm so excited and I'm so proud of everything."
As for the butterfly and lightning bolts that can be seen on her costume, Nikki explained that they represent her metamorphosis and spark. She added the following:
"The butterfly on the outfit represents metamorphosis. This transformation. Then the lightning bolts around the butterfly, that's my spark. Everyone has that spark. For me, it's a supercharge. It's dynamic energy, positivity, love, it's all of that. That's really the core, the heart of Nikki Cross."
Unbeaten in her last seven contests and coming off consecutive victories over Shayna Baszler, Cross said that she feels empowered by the superhero attire. Additionally, she shared that when they were developing the costume, the goal was to craft something that would be relatable to all.
"I feel so empowered," Cross said. "I love the -- the costume, we wanted to create something that people can dress as; cosplay. They can wrap a blue towel or a yellow towel around their neck and they're Nikki Cross. We really wanted to create something that was so relatable. Relatable to our audiences and something that when they put on -- they put on the cape, they put on a mask, and they feel brave and they feel courageous. For me, it gives me so much confidence. I put the costume on for the first time and I was like, 'I can take on the world. I'm ready for action.' I felt so confident. I just felt amazing."
On the same night that Nikki first sported her new look, she and former-partner Alexa Bliss defeated Shayna Baszler and Nikki Cross to qualify for the Women's Money in the Bank match. There are still two open spots in the field, but the other contestants are Asuka, Naomi, Carmella, and Zelina Vega.
For more information about Money in the Bank, click here.
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