AEW said all the right things to Paige VanZant.
Before signing with AEW, VanZant had already made her name in UFC, BKFC, and being an influencer on social media, which landed her endorsement deals that paid more than her fighting contracts.
Previously, VanZant mentioned that WWE had different plans for her than AEW, which is why she ultimately picked AEW.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on his MMA Show, VanZant elaborated on the details of WWE's plans.
"[Dan Lambert] was definitely a big part of it, I went with him in a few instances, he's a big part of AEW. Watching them, I knew my career was going to take me to WWE or AEW, I was watching both of them, huge fan of both, the first AEW show I went to though, the feeling, the audience, the crowd, everything about it, I just knew I belonged and it would be something I'd be really good at. The whole atmosphere of the show they put on is iconic. I knew that was the place for me," she said.
Asked if she had conversations with WWE, VanZant said, "I went down to the training center about a year ago. I did have some things in the works, but AEW kind of said what they needed to say and said all the right words to get me to come over to AEW."
VanZant clarified that there was no bidding war for her and that AEW allowed her to continue to pursue other interests.
"Not a bidding war, no. There were different contract details and styles. There were things that AEW, they're working hand-in-hand with BKFC and letting me be a professional fighter. I still get to be myself. It's not an exclusive full-time wrestling contract. I'm in AEW and going to wrestle for them, but they're also letting me be a part of BKFC, so I'm definitely not done boxing and definitely not done fighting. It was an amazing partnership that they're willing to work with me and all the other things I still want to do," she said.
Helwani then stated "WWE wanted you to be exclusive," to which VanZant replied, "Exactly."
VanZant has started her wrestling training and is currently working with Gangrel at his school.
Asked when she expects to make her in-ring debut, VanZant said, "In a perfect world, here in the next few months, honestly. Between the coaches and everybody seeing as quickly as I'm picking it up, I truly believe I'll be ready to get in there in a month or two."
VanZant mentioned Tay Conti as a potential first opponent given Conti's background in judo and their on-screen interactions. VanZant laid out Conti following Scorpio Sky's AEW TNT Title victory over Sammy Guevara and then signed her AEW contract on Conti's ass.
VanZant did note that she will not be on AEW television on Wednesday. Fightful will have live coverage of the show beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
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