Paige's emotional first interview since WWE return

21:49Steph McMahon:That's what I do. Make debuts. I do debuts, win championships. Amen. Amen. That's a t-shirt. Make debuts, win championships. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. I can't help myself. Gosh. That's right. Yeah, everyone's really positive about it though, so we're good. We're good. No one actually thought it was going to happen. I mean, some did. Yeah. But because me and Bri aren't actually like - That's the thing. I didn't know it was going to happen at all. It was a surprise. Yeah, they thought maybe Bailey and Lyra or, you know. Yeah. Which, okay, sorry. Okay, tell me. ADHD brain right now. I'm going all over the place.

22:21That's good. But Lyra actually predicted me winning the Divas Championship all those years ago.

22:27Steph McMahon:No. She was a big fan of AJ and I. And she had tweeted a long time ago. It was 2014, the day before I was supposed to debut. She was like, I predict that Paige is going to debut tomorrow. No way. She's going to take the championship away from AJ. I was like, how did you know that? And then like all these years later, we were in a match together. And I thought that was really cool. So many full circle moments. Yeah. Right? Super cool. Crazy. Super cool. So, yeah. Sorry. I have ADHD, so I do go all over. No, I'm with you. This is your podcast. I'm good. No, no, I love it. I love it. We're here to talk about you anyway.

23:00Steph McMahon:Me. Yes. So I'm happy to be here. Thanks for having me. No, thank you. Thank you so much. So tell us a little bit if you, you know, whatever you want to share, whatever you feel comfortable sharing, whatever you want to talk about, not to steal that line from you, Cody, but, you know, it is about your story and your journey. and yes, there was a movie about it, right? And then there's this long period of time where people don't know, you know, sort of what was going on with you. Yeah. I think, you know, you hit like a low, really low. Yeah, no pun intended. And what was that, whatever you feel comfortable describing what that was like for you, But most importantly, what was the climb out?

23:51Steph McMahon:Oh, my gosh. Yes. So, you know, I got into a bit of trouble when I was younger. You know, like I started drinking and partying with the wrong people, you know, and then I end up having like a certain relationship that wasn't the healthiest, you know, and like I kind of relied on the drugs when it comes to that, too. Yeah. And then on top of that, these tapes get released, you know, from when I'm 19 years old, which is I never wish that on anybody. I was so humiliated. I'm so sorry. I was devastated. And it's very hard to talk about, but also like it's weird. It's hard in these settings to talk about, but I can joke about it behind the scenes.

24:32Steph McMahon:Well, because you're joking about it. Yeah, exactly. And I'm like, I'm very quick to joke about it. But yeah. It's a defense mechanism. It is. And a survival tactic. Yeah, exactly. And I just remember when they got released, I was on drugs in a certain relationship. And then there was my neck as well. It was my neck surgery. And so I wasn't at work. But I remember you guys were constantly reaching out to me. And they were like, we can't help you unless you tell us what's going on. We cannot help you unless you want the help. But we want to help you. So they kept reaching out. And I was like, I'm fine.

25:04I'm fine. And you guys even flew me out to Connecticut and sat down with me and was just like, you have to talk to us. You have to let us help you. And I'm like, I'm fine. and then I remember you bringing me to a Tampa Raw and you did this whole medical checkup on me because I got really skinny. I'm maxing my hair. I was very skinny and I remember like I put my arms on the wall so you could they could see like the bones in my back and stuff just to see and they were like we want to help you but you can't we can't unless you want us to and I'm just like I'm fine you know eventually and so I went through that really awful stage and I was actually talking to Amy today and she was just talking about that time in my life and you know she would be like her and Renee would talk about even in like it's a jokey way but it's like a harmless jokey way but she was like which one of us is going to have to go rescue her from the trunk of a car you know like that kind of thing and I remember Renee coming to see me in the middle of that time too.

26:00Ribbing on the square Huh?

26:02Steph McMahon:Ribbing on the square. Yeah exactly and so Renee came and saw me and she said after the fact she was like I've never felt such an intense weird feeling being around you because usually it's like very comfortable and stuff she was like I was just so worried and I cut out all my family I cut out all my friends I cut out you guys you know because I was convinced you guys hate me you know I was convinced no one wanted me around I was convinced you know I was alone and then when these tapes came out you know I ran out of the the house door took off kept running running running and like he said I see the first thing come up the second thing come up and I'm like and again I wasn't in the best situation and so I was like I ran so I run and I run outside this grocery store and I hide in this bush and I'm like if Where are you?

26:56Steph McMahon:What country are you in? In Texas. Oh. I'm in Texas. Yeah. Which is its own country. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. So I'm in San Antonio, Texas, and I hide in this bush, and I said, if my dad is not okay with this, because I'm being, like, people are humiliating me online. It was bad. And you're reading it. I'm reading it, and I'm just like, I'm sick, and I'm like, oh my gosh, people can see me. They can see us. And I made mistakes in these videos and stuff that I would never do. You know what I mean? Like, it's just. It's your private life. It's my private life. Yes, and you're allowed to have a private life.

27:26Steph McMahon:Yeah, I was young. I was like 19 years old. Thank you, R. Yeah. And so, like, I, it's going to be really hard. He fucking got me. He fucking got me. God damn it. I was just talking about this. I was like, oh, no.

27:46Sorry. No, you take your time. Take your time. Damn it. I'm not going to cry in front of people. so I see I hide in this bush and I say I call my dad and I was like if my dad doesn't accept me for this I'm gonna kill myself that was it you know I was like I can't be here anymore

28:10so again I was at a stage thank you thanks thank you and so I went through that stage of feeling like I was completely alone and I felt like my dad is my life you know and if he can't except the fact that these tapes are out. I don't know. I was ready to do it. I was done. And so I called him, and he was fucking fantastic. He was fucking fantastic. He goes to me, it's all right, princess. He was like, everyone has a sex life. You know, yours just happened to be on the internet. And he goes, you know what? He goes, you know what? You could be famous like Kim Kardashian. And I'm like, true. It could work in your favor.

28:50I was like, how the fuck do you know Kim Kardashian? I was like so confused. And he saved my life that day. He saved my life. He absolutely saved my life because I was ready. Like I was doing everything I can just to not be in this, be here anymore. And I was just, that was the lowest I've ever been in my life. Lowest. And I never thought I'd reached that point of like wanting to do harm to myself. But I had reached it. And my dad saved my life. Yeah. what would you say to people who are feeling the same way you did yeah they're not alone absolutely not you convince yourself that you're alone you are not alone and the best thing you can have and I learned this in therapy thanks to you guys getting me therapy is uh community is the most important thing around you yeah so the people that you have like oh man I'm so lucky and I'm so blessed to have the most positive like the most positive influences around me the most happy people around me and my two best my two best friends when I got when I made the call to you guys I was like I want to come home the first time I came back you guys bought my flight you got me home back to Orlando I moved in with two of my best friends Joey and Raquel mentioned their names they're amazing but I moved in with them so they can make sure that I was safe and that I wasn't do anything stupid and they got sober with me.

30:10Wow. Like, so it was really great. I had that community and then you guys got me this.

30:14Steph McMahon:Yeah, think about the influence you had on them. Oh, man. Yeah, they're still sober to this day. It's really great. And they moved to LA with me. Like, they've just always been my life support, you know, my people 100%. And then you guys got me a drugs and alcohol counselor, Bob Keeler. Yeah, I love Bob. Oh, man, I love that guy. And I would call him about relationship problems. Yeah. I would be like, Bob, I know this isn't your job, bro, but I need to speak to you. I'm so glad. Oh, man. He was the best, and I could call him at any point of the day. And then he arranged a psychiatrist and a different therapist where they don't even touch you.

30:52They're just doing this energy thing around you. Really? He got me. I was speaking to three therapists a week, including him. And I had extreme PTSD. And this is what you needed. That's what I needed. Yeah. Again, community is the most important. you guys like that is like re like people love you they they you don't push anyone away do not do not and the people that see anyone in that position don't walk away from them keep trying hard I know like that you need to wait for their switch to flip in their head but eventually they will wake up and it's important that you be there for them it's really really important and luckily I had that that community but I remember I had really bad PTSD coming out of all that and again person that I was with or whatever and my whole body would start shaking like in like it was really bad and I still get the shakes now but it's less than it was and I remember the first day I was coming back after everything after that year and a half of just pure hell I was finally gonna come back and it was that I'm back did you miss me and that's when Stephanie I was before I went out I was crouched down on the floor and she had picked me up she came over she was like busy but she came she picked me up she gave me this big hug she whispers in my ear this will always be your house and she goes and you started this whole thing now go out there and enjoy the moment and she said and then just stand there and just let it breathe she's like don't talk if they're loud don't talk just let it breathe and I was like okay okay okay yeah I got this right and I go out there and the crowd just erupts and it was freaking fantastic but I remember an hour before well not an hour a couple hours before that I couldn't even walk in the building I had to text TR at the time that we had Mark and I was like I can't come in there I can't I can't come in there and he comes and gets me and he puts his arm around me and my whole body's just like like I was so scared I was so scared of what everyone thought of me and I still had even with the therapy in the back of my head that I was disgusting not in the good way you guys not in the new not in the new way no not the new way but I thought I was like I was disgusting I thought people didn't like me I thought you guys hated me but like man you made me feel so great like you gave me the warmest hug I I mean, you did it again today.

33:01You gave me the warmest hug. Hunter gave me the warmest hug. Vince gave me the warmest hug. Like, you guys were just like, I'm just glad you're alive. You know, and we're happy that you're home.

33:10Steph McMahon:You know, unfortunately, we've seen it go the other way. I know. And you're so special. Thank you. And it's like, we can see it from afar because it's, you know, it is a pattern. It's a vicious cycle that happens to some people. Yeah. You know, and some people also, it's because of the fame. it's it's everything that goes with that much attention right the negative comments now probably make that even worse right on social yeah but it's like um it's a lot to handle that kind of attention and energy all the time yeah and everybody knows who you are and like if you misstep and especially and most of them are very young yeah right so it's like of course you're gonna say stupid shit sometimes and at first you're gonna make mistakes have a bad day or whatever exactly and then you're judged like as evil the most evil person of all time and you deserve to die yes and it's exactly it is that it is that yes it is like you just feel oh my god you can make a silly like like comment about something and then all of a sudden like you're yeah yeah they're so you can misspell something yeah and we're talking about these young kids they don't care how they spell, but it's like it is anything.

34:27100%. Yeah, people are really unforgiving.

34:28Steph McMahon:Some people, some people. Yeah, like the majority right now, you guys are being amazing. Thank you so much for being so nice. But we'll see how you are next week, alright? It takes like one week for you guys to flip. We know all about that honeymoon period. Yeah. Mine's quick. Mine's always super fast. I'm not reading it next week. Yeah, going out, but going out in public as well after all of that was like... I can't imagine. I was so embarrassed. So how did you handle that? Oh, man. I mean, how did you get to the other side of... I mean, because there's nothing you can do. Nothing. Right? It's out there.

35:05Steph McMahon:Can't change it. Yeah. And really, who gives a shit? Right. Right. At the end of the day. Right? But that's not easy. Yes. And you're at rock bottom. So your dad saves your life. Now, how do you get over this? Like, rebuild from that? Yeah. Yeah, there was a quote that I really like, and it says, like, if you can change it, why are you stressing? If you can't change it, why are you stressing? And so, like, I kept that in the back of my mind, even though it was very hard to live by. I'm sure. But I kept that in the back of my mind. But just walking the street, I was very embarrassed. And then I remember this one time I was, like, in this bar with my friends not drinking, but I was in this bar eating and stuff like that.

35:45And someone was drunk, came up to me, and he was like, oh, you're the fucking porn star. And I was like, I like froze, ran into the bathroom, cried my eyes out, sobbed. Because I was like, that's what I'm going to be remembered for. Nothing that I've done, all these good things that I've done in wrestling or whatever, the reality show, like doing all these things, that's what I'm going to be remembered for. So like that, I had that in the back of my mind too. But all I kept thinking is just like, I've reached rock bottom and I never want to see it again.

36:12Steph McMahon:Yeah. So I was like, and you guys actually helped me big time. So yes, I came back. yes within six weeks i had to retire from wrestling completely and everyone was scared at that point within six weeks that you were yeah i was gonna head back yeah i was like no you but you guys took me aside and you were like uh so i had to do the retirement speech which i'm so thankful vince gave me that opportunity because not many women back then got to do a retirement speech you know so i was like wow i can't believe i'm doing this you know and um and then i got pulled to the side and they were like okay we need you for smackdown and i'm like why i don't wrestle anymore you know and so i was trying to keep that positive mentality i'm like well they're not gonna need me anymore and i was in my head and stuff but i wasn't thinking about drinking or doing drugs good i was like i'd reached like you know the other side yes the other side for that one but um i was still everyone was still very worried about me so everyone was kind of babying me like you okay like you know and i feel like you guys definitely helped me big time when i came back the next day was like road dog and the writers and everyone like kind of cornered me in the corner they're like okay you're gonna be GM and I was like oh my god this is great you know and then they're like they can't tell anyone and I'm like fuck you know so it was like and your brother was the one that introduced me yeah it was just like the crowd erupted and that kind of gave me a new fire yeah and it got me really excited to come to work because it was something completely new right I wasn't in the division anymore so I didn't have to worry about oh it's my time gonna get cut and do like all that kind of stuff the matches I just had to worry about the five or six promos I I had to do live that day, which is intimidating.

37:41It's like, you remember those days, Jackie?

37:43Steph McMahon:Yeah, though, I must say, I don't feel like the gift of gab is a problem for you. Oh, man. Oh, I can talk. I can yap. That's what I can do. But trying to remember everything. No, I know. Yeah, it's very nerve-wracking. It was tough. It was tough. I mean, you do it perfectly. I already say you're one of the best promos ever. You and Paul Heyman. Bless you. I always say that. Paul Heyman. Chef's kiss. But you're so good at it. And so like, you know, I get on the mic and I'm not as good as you, but I can. Yeah, I can do it. That's all you need to be able to do. Yeah, yeah, exactly. I'm like, I can cover it.

38:16Steph McMahon:Don't worry. That was the thing. I mean, and it got to the point. Well, go ahead. No, no, no. You can. No, no. But like for promos, it was, I mean, there was one day I remember specifically where, and I don't mean to, I'm not saying this in a negative way, but it was like just a time period where maybe scripts changed or whatever. and I had this whole promo that I hadn't seen all day and the person who was responsible for it would share it with me until it was approved by Vince. He approved it in the commercial break before my entrance. And then that person runs off to go print it. I'm like, I turned and I looked at him and I'm like, so I'm going out there in about a minute and a half.

39:01Steph McMahon:It's the commercial break before my entrance. this person just ran to print the promo can you please tell me what you want me to say oh my god did you nail it what's that did you nail it I did I got the points I got the points yeah but that's the thing you gotta just you have to learn but stick the points in your head and then you can figure out the rest well there was this other time thanks to your dad he had given me a promo for AJ and the fans loved this promo for some reason thank gosh I remembered it but it was like a valentine's card yeah and he was like I want you to go out there and read a Valentine's card to AJ and there's this whole poem in it and the writers gave it to me like luckily like an hour before and I was like, great.

39:38And I was like, you know what I should do? I should practice this in my head just in case he takes it away from me, you know? Right. Because you know what he was like. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I was like, things would change on a dime. Yes. And so as I'm about to walk through the curtain, he stands up, he goes, Rach, get over here. And I was like, okay. And he goes, you don't need that. Yeah, he loves those last minute. He goes, give me that. And he was like, you don't need that. And I was like, oh my God. And luckily. Give it to me. I need it. Yes, please. And luckily, I went out there and I remembered it because I just, I got so used to him changing things so quickly.

40:10Yeah, you got to be prepared. You got to be prepared. That's it.

40:13Steph McMahon:You just got to try to imagine every possible scenario and prepare for it. The thing is, he would always still find the one thing I didn't prepare for. Like it was, I would have a business plan. I'd have everything all mapped out. And I tried to poke holes and think through. No, no. But it's amazing, the knack, right? I thought of every scenario I could, and it's just experience as the best teacher, right? Because I don't know all of the situations. I only knew what I had lived through at that time. So I would come make the presentation, think I nailed it. And he was great. He would always listen, and we'd get to the end, and he'd go.

40:55Steph McMahon:And it would always be a pause, like a good 30 seconds. Oh, God. And he'd be kind of just very thoughtful, right? And then he'd go, what about this? And it's like, why are you doing this to me? Why did you have to ask about that? Like, I didn't think about that. Well, sir, I'll get back to you on that one. That's the worst feeling in the world. It's the worst. It's the worst. And you know what really? To feel unprepared. Yeah. Even though you went in with 20 possible backup plans. Yeah. He'd always find the one. He always finds it. Yeah. And you know what trained? Like, we had FCW before NXT, you know.

41:33And so the thing that really helped was rest in peace to this king right here, but Dusty Rhodes. Yes. I love that guy so freaking much. I remember my first promo ever at FCW.

41:44Steph McMahon:Can I ask you a question before you tell this story? Did you know of Dusty, like, when you were growing up as a part of a wrestling family in England? Were you? Oh, yeah, son of a plumber, baby. Okay, all right, all right. I wasn't sure. I wasn't sure. I love that guy. Media was different. Okay, so go ahead. And he like, he like was very hard on me, but because he loved me so much. Yeah, and he saw something in you. Yeah, he would always say like, you're not like, you know, the rest of the girls. Like you have something special. And he was so great, but he would freaking give me a hard time, I tell you.

42:10I've got a couple of dusty stories. So the first one is I just get there. I'm like 18 or 19 years old, you know, I'm baby. And it's intimidating to do a promo in front of your peers. So the first day I'm there, I'm doing a promo. That's the most intimidating. That's the most intimidating. and so I go up there and I do like you know the generic promo like you see in the movie and stuff and he was like nah not good and then he goes Roman used to be called Liaki back then he was like Liaki baby get up there and I was like I just met this guy you know and he's like okay like he didn't have to do anything he just had to sit in a chair and then I had to pretend that he had dumped me and stole my toaster and I had to like do this whole promo So while he's just sitting there like, you know, I was like, God, this is terrible.

43:01But it was intimidating. And he would do that all the time. And then he'd be like, okay, baby, you've got an invisible letter. And you have to go through all the stages of emotion. Like you're reading it. It was always a breakup. Wow. Always a breakup. He just probably thought that was relatable. So I had to do all these different like happy, sad, mad, like all these kind of things. and then there was one day where he was like I need you to be the mysterious raven head lady right and I was like okay and then he was like I want you to say a lot without saying anything and I'm like how do I do okay and then at one point I got and this we had moved to the pc at this point and I was just really frustrated I didn't have any creative in my head I was like mad as hell and I delivered this terrible promo I admit it was bad because I was being lazy with it I was think of this promo that you keep on wanting me to do and none of it is good enough you know so um he was like i asked you for chicken dinner and you give me chicken shit and i was like fuck you motherfucker and i stand up and i run off and i run upstairs in the pc you know into the locker room and then all of a sudden about like a minute later i hear a knock at the door

44:11Steph McMahon:and he was like is my porcelain princess in there oh i love that i i opened the door and i'm like I'm really sorry, Dusty. He's like, sit down. So he's sitting on the step. And he goes, first of all, nobody calls me a motherfucker. And I was like, I am so sorry, Dusty. I just got paid. And then he went into his big spill. He's like, the reasons why I'm hard on you is because I know you're going to be special. You are going to be a big thing. And you should treat these promo classes like you're in front of 10 ,000 people or 80 ,000 at WrestleMania or whatever. And he's giving me this big spill.

44:44And then he gives me a big hug. you know and he tells me you know don't call him a motherfucker anymore but i was like you're fair enough i did that you're my boss yeah i was like respect him fuck but i was like yeah i'm really sorry dusty and i promise i'll deliver the next time and so the next promo i did i went completely out of my comfort zone and i sang really yeah i sat i was like fuck it i'm gonna do something completely the opposite to what he's asking me wow just so i could get more comfortable again sure sure so i did this promo with shul guerrero and we like did this promo at the end we just sang together and it went really well he was like this is great this is what i want to see you know and i was like okay but you asked you for mysterious and all that kind of stuff i was like whatever dusty like this is what you want that's good so then i started just doing promos where i would take scenes out of movies oh yeah you know and just reenact them or do something a little different i did some stuff with bailey i remember a bunch of these promos got leaked onto the internet oh yeah and there was one where like uh i i did i did a promo with bailey when she was still doing the hugger gimmick with right right and uh it turned me into like the scream queen you know where i was just like i'm a big fan of you bailey i love you and i give her a hug and she rejects me and i'm just like oh and i take my hair out and i scream and stuff and like i just had so much more fun with it yeah because i kind of that was the whole point that's what he was trying to get you to do exactly and we'd have like christmas where we do karaoke and stuff like that i miss him so much man yeah i know i miss him so much he was so great and he was so knowledgeable and so talented and he stuck up for us a lot.

46:12Yes. He had our backs every single time. He was so great. He's a great leader. Oh, man. So great. So great. I miss him. I miss him a lot. And funny. So funny. Such a character. Oh, man. He's so funny. I mean, only in our business. Yes. Yep.

46:27Steph McMahon:Oh, what a good. Oh, my God. No. Oh, yes. You can't do it. See? Yeah. Oh, my God. I'm so bad. Can you turn it up? Why? Because I like pogo sticks. I like to wear my hair on the side. Sweet. And I like bows. I can see that. But I know one more thing that you'd like. This guy is ready to give it to you. What? A hug. No, fuck me. I'm sorry. You guys are so young. I know. You look like you're a kid. Freak. Freak? Oh my god, a little scruffy girl. my head's really good

47:12Steph McMahon:but Paige that wound up being your scream it did end up being my scream you know the first time I came the reason why I got signed was because I was different and I remember Hunter being like I always remember he shook my head he said welcome aboard and I was like oh my god like Triple H shook my head you were different and special you just don't understand thank you but at the time I was just like ass because I'm a gothic you're just yourself yeah and the trainer at the time down there he's not there anymore but he was convinced I had to be like a diva he was convinced he was like you need to wear color and like and I was like okay I'm trying but the reason why I got signed was because of the way I look you know and so I kind of pushed back a little bit and then he was telling me that I couldn't do my scream on my entrance and stuff and I was just like well it's kind of you know my gimmick and it was just like Dusty was just like no no no she needs to do this she needs to do this so they would bicker about it all the time but he was like no I'm the head coach I know she's not supposed to scream or dress like that and so you guys had we would be brought up on the rain roster every time you come to Florida like just to visit Aurora Smackdown right and so there was Aurora there and I wore a blue dress because I thought I had to wear some color you know so I wore this blue dress and I'm super pale with this blue dress I used to be way more pale than this like I was sickly pale the porcelain princess the porcelain princess baby I love that and so like I'm I thought I was really proud.

48:36I'm like, I look like a diva. I look like a diva, right? And I was so proud of myself. And I thought my trainer at the time was going to be proud of me. And then afterwards, we all get back to the training facility. And he talks to all of us saying, everyone did a great job and stuff. And he goes, I just want to give one person their flowers. They went above and beyond, did exactly what I asked them for. And I'm really freaking proud of them. So Summer Rae, and he turns to Summer Rae. I know, she's beautiful, you guys. She had blonde hair. She was tan. I remember her, yeah. Diva, you know, like just your typical, like stunning diva woman.

49:07And I was crushed. And I was like, I will never. You'll never be able to. I'm never going to make you happy. I'm never going to please you. I'm going to be completely myself. I'm going to stick to it. And at the time, there wasn't anybody like me. No. So why was I trying to change for a trainer?

49:22Steph McMahon:There's still nobody like you. There's no one like me. And now you're back. Now I'm back, baby. This is my house. Yeah. Road to Gold is the latest WWE exclusive from Fanatics Casino, bringing WrestleMania thrills right to your fingertips. It is the most star-studded casino game ever built. Spin reels featuring 20 WWE superstars from Cody Rhodes to John Cena and my personal favorite, Triple H. And for the first time ever in an online casino game, you'll hear the voice of WWE himself, Michael Cole. Battle to the top for rewards with bonus spins, mystery wins, and cash collect moments. This is WrestleMania Road to Gold, and it only lives at Fanatics Casino.

50:13Steph McMahon:Must be 21 and over. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Not available in all states. See Fanatics Casino app. But yeah, like, I feel like I went all over the place from the first question that you asked me, but. I don't even know what I asked you. How did I get back on my feet? It was after Rock Bottom. Yeah, so, geez, okay. Well, after all that, you know, no, I don't even know where I finished off. So I guess. It was community. Yeah, yeah, community was the big. Yes. You guys kind of just taking care of me, but community is the number one. And what about positive thoughts? Oh, that's so important.

51:00That's so important. And I find it still hard to this day to think positively all the time. And I feel like maybe not everyone believes that what you put out in the world you receive, but I do believe that. So I was like, when I was putting out negative stuff, only negative stuff came my way.

51:15Steph McMahon:Because it's the law of attraction. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Exactly. So eventually I'm like, okay, I need to be more positive. And it's easier said than done. Trust me, I still get in my head sometimes. But yeah, thinking positive thoughts consistently will help you big time. 100%. Going outside. I know it's like everyone says go outside and touch grass or whatever. No, go outside and touch grass. Yeah, no, it does. It's grounding. Yeah, it is. It's very grounding. Just being out there, like being active. Like when I get home, like I do get in the rut because I travel all the time. I do these sign-ins and now I'm back on the road with you guys like I don't know how long like the travel schedule is going to be but I'm busy all the time right this past year I've been busy and so when I'm home I just kind of like to rot on my couch yeah me too I just want to kind of be alone you do you don't want to see anybody you want to rot on the couch you want to do them I want to play with my I want to cuddle with my dogs my dogs don't get me started and this is not the order and cuddle with my kids yeah it might be I am missing my dogs right now though my kids are here you have the big dogs I have big dogs Yeah you do too They're the best huggers Yeah they are They're the best They're big Slavery gross messes And I love them Slavery gets everywhere You get on the ceiling Yes People don't understand Because the jowls Yes Yes the jowls are so long That they flip up When they shake their head Everywhere I can't wear black A lot of the time Because I'll just get Little snail trails Yeah Everywhere Yeah it's lovely Every time I'm at her house In black Yes He becomes Gus Well and Gus He hasn't been neutered yet And he kind of has a thing For Elise Oh, a little.

52:49Steph McMahon:You getting humped? He starts, like, licking her arm, and then he's, like, getting scared. No, and then I get scared, because he's massive. Huge. You're like, I can't fight you off, buddy. Step. What do you have to do? She's just laughing. Just let him finish. Yeah, just let him finish. Just let him finish. But, like, he just puts his big, sweet face on my arm. Oh, and he's sweet as he can. And, like, big, sweet face. And walks away, and my arm is just, like, it's fine. Yeah. Yeah, and then like he wants you to hold his bone for him so he can chew it. And by the end, like his whole lip is hanging over your wrist.

53:24Steph McMahon:It's just dripping down. It's so gross. Your hands in his mouth. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I have a dog like that, too. Oh, yeah. It's disgusting. Disgusting. I actually got onesies for anyone that comes in my house. Really? Yeah. I'm protecting you. Oh, at least we should get a suit, please. No. onesies onesies I do I have like a I got Thanksgiving when I had a Friendsgiving at my house yeah I was like hey you're safe and my biggest dog what do the onesies look like so the onesies I'm picturing scrubs that they put right let me find these ones so do they even bother getting dressed up because they know they're gonna put on there's no point there's no point let me find this onesie I've got it in here oh here this is the ones I got off Amazon oh alright So they're pretty...

54:13Steph McMahon:Like PJ onesies. But I must say, they're very hot. There we go. They're hot as hell, but I like my house very cold. Oh, okay. Yeah, I like it cold. I feel like you sleep better in the cold. Is it too hot in the suit? No. No, it's fine, right? Is it worth it that I'm dripping sweat? Except, well, I've gotten those for... I'm sorry, what? No, I just said I would be dripping sweat in a fleece one day. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. It's worth it. Well, we did it for our family for Christmas. Like, I always get, you know, the Christmas PJs. Yeah, of course. And this one year I had done those. And everybody, like, my poor in-laws were, like, taking it off and sweating.

54:52Steph McMahon:And, like, just it was bad. Like, everybody was so hot. Well, that's why. Zach, actually, my makeup artist. Oh, yeah. I like it freezing. But he did this thing where he put all the onesies in the dryer. Uh-oh. And he melted them all. Uh-oh. So I had to give them to everybody. And they're, like, itching and stuff like that. It was so crispy. It was a nightmare. I was like, Zach. He was just trying to fluff them. He was trying to do something sweet. Yeah. Those are the just onesies. Yeah. But he was just trying to fluff them, make them warm, make them de-wrinkled. I was just like, but now everyone's itchy.

55:25Yeah. It was very sweet. Yeah, you got to dry them on low.

55:28Steph McMahon:Yeah. Hang dress.

55:33You took it for the team, didn't you? Yeah, you did. You did. What a guy. He's been my makeup artist for nine years. I stole him from total divas. Wow. Yeah, I stole them from Total Divas. Wow. Take them everywhere with me. That's great. My emotional support human.

55:47Steph McMahon:Yeah, I'm sick of it. I bet. Yeah, exactly. It keeps me positive. But I bet you're there for him too. Yeah, I try to be. Am I? That's a friendship. Yeah, definitely. There you go. Okay. I don't want to answer for you. You can't be together nine years or not. That's a long time. Yeah. Not have a relationship. Yeah, he's a good guy. He takes care of me. That's great. I love you. My baby. He's doing heart hands. I always forget what we're talking about because we go all over the place. Well, I do. Well, no, it's good. No, it's good. We're climbing up. We're climbing up. So back to the first question.

56:17Steph McMahon:How did I get out of this? So here's where we are. Here's where we are. Community and positive thoughts. Community and positive thoughts. And now, is there a third?

56:28Steph McMahon:So let me ask you a question. Is faith a part of your healing? It is for some, not for others. You know, it never was. I'm very open-minded to it, though. Okay. I went for a stage. I got raised in a house. My dad's a religious man. But he never forced that on me. But anytime I had religious studies or whatever, I'd go to my dad and get like a little cheat sheet from him. You know what I mean? And he loved doing that. And so he is a religious man. But yeah, he always let me think for myself. There's a lot of things that I see when it comes to the Bible. I'm like, ah, but someone told me recently, it's just the message behind it.

57:01You know what I mean? Maybe something in the Bible doesn't seem logical to you, but it's like the message behind it. so I'm definitely open-minded to it right and like I did have I've told this story before where I had this moment where I was in a bad situation and I just wanted to get out of it and there was nothing I could do to get out of it and I was just terrified and scared and crying and I was inside this closet and I had this moment of like where I prayed yeah and I'm like this is my last resort kind of thing and I did that and literally like the next day like something switched in my head I was like, I need to get out of this situation.

57:36Wow. I need to leave. And it like, it took me so long to think like that. But I was like, maybe that was something that happened. Right. You know, when I prayed. Maybe it was meant to happen. And like, it's a higher power or whatever. Yeah. But like, I did have a moment where I was just like, wow, that was, that was weird. You know, like something happened. But yeah, I wouldn't say that I'm like, I'm not a religious person. Right. But I'm definitely over-minded to it.

58:00Steph McMahon:But you have some degree of faith. Yes. Otherwise you wouldn't have tried it in the first place. Yeah, 100%. So yeah, having that moment, I was just like, okay. It really helped me and it gave me comfort in that moment too. That's the amazing part. Yeah, it's really good. It's really, really special. And there's always like the stigma behind religion and stuff like that. There's a stigma behind everything. That's true. There is. The only thing I say is just like if someone doesn't force religion on me like that, then I'm very comfortable talking about it and doing it. But I just want to be able to think for myself when it comes to anything.

58:34When it comes to politics, religion, like everything. I want to be able to think for myself. I don't want someone to.

58:39Steph McMahon:That's why I want the multiple perspectives. Yeah, exactly. Like you don't want to be influenced by one way. Like you were saying, you want to hear all different sides. Exactly. Then you choose. What's right for me. Exactly. And what I choose to believe. Exactly. And that's how I am. I don't like anyone to influence me. I like to have my own brain. It's like when someone says they don't like somebody. I'm just like, okay, well, I will decide if I like them or not. after I meet them. Go after your own experience. Exactly. Unless they did sound terrible. And I'm like, okay, well, maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

59:08Yeah, but nine times out of ten, I'm like, let me think for myself. You may not like them, but they've always been nice to me or something. That's right.

59:14Steph McMahon:And that's what you go by. Yeah, exactly. That's how my dad raised me. And my mom. Sorry, I'm like, leave my mom out. You're great, ma. I love you too. She's batshit crazy. In the best way. She still looks the same. I just put my dad over the whole time. I'm just a daddy skill. Yeah. I grew up, like, my dad was a tough guy. You know, I got hit by a car, had to wrestle the same day. Yeah. Yeah, and like. Well, didn't your mom wrestle pregnant with you? She didn't realize. So Robbie Brookside, who's down at NXT as a trainer, gorilla pressed her from the outside, from the inside to the outside of the ring.

59:46And she started getting these cramps and stuff. She started bleeding a little bit. Oh, shit. She goes through, and she just had my brother. We're 14 months apart. So she. Irish twins. Irish twins, yeah. And so she rushes to the hospital, and she did not have a belly. at all for some reason. It's like a mind thing. Wow. And she didn't have a belly. And I see pictures from back then and she really didn't have a belly. It was crazy. And she was seven months pregnant. Oh, my God. Seven months. Yeah. Wow. She was late down.

1:00:14Steph McMahon:But wait, did she show with your brother? Yeah, she was huge with my brother. Whoa. Huge. And so she... That's crazy. Yeah, she went to the doctor and they were just like, I don't know if this is good news or bad news, but you're pregnant. And she was like, what? And they were like, yeah, seven months. Seven months. I mean, you're feeling... You're pretty close. Yeah, I mean, you're popping out soon. I'm making a freaking entrance soon. The page music hits. That's exactly what I think. Yeah, exactly. You know what I mean? And so, like, I was about to say, Just the hand comes out first. Yeah. Tiny little hand.

1:00:50So then she said that it is a mind thing because all of a sudden she started to notice that she's growing and growing. And I was still a small baby. end up being 7 pound 10. That's pretty good. Yeah, it's a pretty good baby. If someone hasn't had kids, that seems like a pretty good baby. Yeah. Pretty good size. Yeah, especially. You were 7 months pregnant. I tell that's the reason why I have scoliosis.

1:01:12Steph McMahon:We always blame our mothers. Oh, that's the reason. And let me tell you, it's happening to me now. Oh, is it? Yes, it's all my fault. Oh, is it? Oh, no. Yes, always everything. Why do we do that? I don't know. But it's okay. I don't mind. You're like, I'll take it. Yeah, because I've been, you know, I know what it's like from their perspective, at least in some way. Yeah. And now I know what it's like from my mom's. Yeah. Yeah. My mom always said that mothers are to be flogged. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. I'm in the stage where I want to have babies. Yeah. I am. Yeah. I'm like, I see, like you talk about kids and stuff like that.

1:01:47You know, I'm going to be 34 and I'm just like, I want to freeze my eggs. Yeah, you should. I haven't told anyone that, but I really do want to freeze my eggs. Yeah. And I just. You absolutely should. I should. Yes.

1:01:56Steph McMahon:You know, our clocks start ticking. Because there's nothing wrong with, get them now. Yeah. Because our eggs do mature. Yeah, they do. Yeah. And it gets harder to conceive, you know. It does. And we get less and less of them, too. So I was like, oh, I really want to freeze my eggs. And I see these kids come to my side and they, or like people bring their babies and they're just like, let me hold that child. It's so great. And I see Bianca just is pregnant. Yes. You know, Naomi. The ab. Ab pregnant belly. That was wild. Yeah, I saw that. I've never heard of that before. I've never seen it. She dropped the robe and we were like, she's pregnant.

1:02:29Steph McMahon:She has abs. In the same. Everybody has the same sort of. What is her problem? You know? Right? Yeah. I'm like, well, that seems like Jade would have abs when she had abs too. Yeah, they are just so in shape. It's crazy. It's crazy. Yeah. But the great thing about WWE now is like, you know, people bring their kids on the road. You know, everyone's popping out babies, bringing them on. And then they, like the women are starting to have a little later. So I'm like inspired by it. You know, the Bella Twins had, Like Renee had her kid later. You know, like everyone's more mature when they're having kids.

1:03:01Steph McMahon:That's right. Although I will tell you it's a harder recovery if you have them yourself. Yeah. As you get older. And chasing them around is not as easy as you get older. My body already hurts. Okay. But don't let that deter you. No, no. I'm not. I went through one stage and was like, no, no, no, no kids, no kids. I mean, I still want to give it a couple of years. I just want to freeze my eggs now. No, you're not saying you're leaving. No, no, no. I'm not popping out. You're back. You're back. You're back. Not anytime soon. That's why you're freezing eggs. That's why I'm freezing eggs. So, you know, keep them in the freezer, save them for later.

1:03:34Get the best ones. Yeah, yeah, exactly. I'm like, you know, do your best down there. The biggest, juiciest egg, get it. Yeah. Yeah. So I just, I really, yeah, I really do. I never thought I would get to that stage. I was always like, I don't know if I want kids. Right. Well, and some people don't.

1:03:50Steph McMahon:Yeah, and that's okay. You know what? And if you don't want kids, then don't have them. Exactly. Because then they're going to know. Exactly. You know, it's not going to feel so great. But I was like, yeah, I want them. I want them. I want babies. That's great. Having a little Raya running around. It's the best. There's nothing like it in the world. Oh, yeah. But if there's like a little mini me running around, I'm like, I'm screwed. I know what I was like. My mom cursed me. She said, I hope you have won exactly like you one day. Oh, my. Well, do you? I don't know what I did. oh yeah she's like oh yeah oh yeah and all three in different ways oh my gosh it was a powerful curse they all look so I was just telling you they all look so grown up it's crazy especially Aurora who I had like a little connection I know it was just crazy just seeing them like for the Hall of Fame which we'll talk about your video package too oh my goodness maybe too I've never even seen some of that footage it was beautiful of me like so young yes giving interviews about what I want my impact on the business to be.

1:04:55Steph McMahon:And I'm like, what 19? I'm so young. Like, it's crazy. It's so cool that they did that. And Colleen Puccerelli. Sorry, I just want to call her out. Yeah, no. You go ahead. Go ahead, put me over. Yeah. Go on. Do you want to pick up the title? Put it on your shoulder. No, I just like, you were young, but what you were saying, and like the way you were saying it in this younger sweet voice and then to see you today and like everything that's happened in between it's been a little bit um but it was that footage got me I don't know it was like whoever knew whoever was filming it knew like somehow that it was gonna matter sometimes oh man it was beautiful I mean you've done so much in your career like you're very inspiring for women and anyone that's worked any woman or a man but just speaking from a woman's perspective here any woman that's worked with you have only ever said positive things like you're very like inspirational for a boss you are so caring you're empathetic like you're understanding and you you stick up for us as women too like you're an advocate for us and you've always been like that and I always appreciated that about you and just see dude You'd seen that package.

1:06:14I was like, man, she deserves it. And I was like, why hasn't she been put in that way before? I never understood. I was like, what's going on here? Why the delay? You know what I mean? It was the right time. Who are we going to talk to?

1:06:26Steph McMahon:Well, the McMahons were never supposed to be in the Hall of Fame. Really? As I was always brought up. You know, we were characters that were intentionally designed to get other talent over. Yeah. So it was never about us. You know? And that's just sort of ingrained in my brain. Your character is so powerful, though. I mean, you got a reaction every single time. That never dulled. The slap package was hilarious. Oh, my God. The things I would hear about those slaps. I feel so bad. You look at them, I'm like, damn, I was taught to lay it in. You got a right hook on that. Yeah. You had a right hook on you.

1:07:03Steph McMahon:The amount of popped eardrums that people got on you. Oh, my God, I feel so bad about that, too. I never thought I got people. And then all of a sudden I started to hear later that I got people. I was like, oh. Well, they don't want to. At first you're like, yes, Stephanie, that was great. What? Stephanie McMahon, come on. But yeah, I was like, I wish I could just get one slap maybe down the road from you. Oh, my God. No way. No way. But that's like you're, that's you. And that's like, it was, that made me laugh, though. It was so funny. It was so good. And I love the activation of the world. Oh, yeah.

1:07:36Steph McMahon:At Fanatics, they have the dummy. Oh, they do? Yeah. I didn't see that. And you know, I had it rigged, so I'm always at the top. As you should be queen. Don't tell him. As you should be queen. I can tell him now. Yeah, I mean, you have to be number one. Let's be real. Of course. I was like, that's my one thing. Yeah. Guys, I can't be beat. It always looks so good because it was real. Yeah. Yeah. But it looks so good. Yeah, it was. You had to. Those slaps you can't fake. Yeah, it's true. You cannot. You have to lay it in. You have to lay it in. Because if not, I mean. And the guys were like, if I'm going to sell for you, you know, you got to lay it in.

1:08:10Yeah.

1:08:10Steph McMahon:Because I'm a small woman, right? Yeah. You pack a powerful slap. I did one slap. No, I did a couple slaps. I got to do the big flare and stuff. They're fun to do. The big flare will sell the shit out of it. Yeah. They'll bump all over the place for you. TJ did not sell mine whatsoever. TJ, they was like, we were doing that sterling. I hate it when they don't sell. Yeah. It's the worst. Daniel Bryan wouldn't sell my slap. Just help me out. That was a good one. Oh, my God. Right? That's on the internet too. Like it was when Natty and TJ had that storyline where he was kind of like pushing Natty's confidence down and would like take her celebrations and stuff.

1:08:44Like kind of like, you know, just being a narcissistic arson. I forgot about that. Yeah, and I was randomly with them at times, you know. And so he kept distracting me from the match. I end up losing or whatever. I roll out and I give him this big wall. I slap the shit out of him. And he didn't move a muscle. Not even a set. He just went and didn't do anything. and I was like, damn, that was really good. And I swung to the point I turned all the way around. Right? Yeah, you get like a whip on it.

1:09:09Steph McMahon:Oh my gosh, I spun the 360, dude. I was crazy. But yeah, he never sold it. Yeah, Daniel Bryan wouldn't sell my slabs either. And I was slapping him with the right and then I started slapping him with the right. Oh, yeah. I was trying everything I could and he didn't do shit. Oh, he didn't bug. He was like, brr. Rick Flew would sell a lot of slabs. Oh, yeah. He sold you all. He would bump. He'd bump all over the place. he fell on the ropes you know feet in for another one yeah it was so funny I was like yeah you got to slap you got to slap all the good ones I did what was your favorite slap that you got to do so you know I've been asked this now today and it's it's not my favorite slap I don't know that I have a favorite but one of the ones that was particularly good was when I slapped the rock at Levi's State oh yeah it just landed like perfectly it had a lot of velocity.

1:10:02Steph McMahon:Yeah, yeah. And I didn't even mean to. I think I was just like geeked because I knew Rhonda was about to come in the ring and I was like really excited. Oh, yes. Yeah. Oh, that was so special. So, I mean, it had a lot in it, you know, a lot of emotion in that slap. Yeah. And man, it was a good one. That was so exciting to watch. Oh, it was so fun. Like just to see that whole thing come together was great. And you and Brie. Oh, yeah. Your storyline. I was like, you bitch. You slapped her good. Yeah, well, she got me back. Oh, yeah, she got me back. There was one, I think you saw that. And I told her, too.

1:10:33Steph McMahon:I'm like, you got to lay it in. Yeah. Like, it's the same conversation, right? And the girls are always tough. Oh, girls are tough. Yeah, we can handle. We can handle a right hook, you know. And giving it back, right? Oh, 100%. You got to give it to me, too. Yeah, no, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think she enjoyed it. You give each other receipts. Yeah. There was a couple of steps I saw. You slapped her in the crowd, and then you slapped her off the side of the apron. Yeah. Well, she didn't have a choice, but she'd be like, she'd fucking timid down. I was like, damn, dude. I forgot what I said. It was such a great moment.

1:11:06Steph McMahon:It was just a fun, you know, sometimes they land so well, and it did. And it was like I was pretending to be upset that I agreed to the match, and then all of a sudden I just turned and I slapped her off the side of the apron and I called her a bitch. Yes. And people were like, wah! It was so fun. Are you ready to hold WWE history in the palm of your hand? Topps is bringing you closer to the action than ever before with WWE Topps Now. Highlighting the biggest matches and milestones from WWE shows and PLEs throughout the year. Topps Now is enhancing the fan experience by connecting collectors to the superstars and spectacles that ignite their passion.

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1:12:37I always talk about with people, because I always get asked questions about who's like your Mount Rushmore of Mikes and stuff. I hate that question. I know, it's like it's very, every time. There's too much history. There's too much history. It's not like we're a five-year-old brand. Exactly. But I will say, I always say you and Paul Heyman, but I always say you when it comes to mic work because it's your, it's like you have subtle reactions too where you're not like, you can be big. Right. For the people that are in the nosebleed seats or whatever, you can be big for them. But like you do like these subtle like facial reactions and it's just so good.

1:13:11Like you're so good with your emotions. Oh, thank you. And I love that. That's a huge compliment. Yeah. Like I would watch your stuff because we would have to watch tape, you know, down NXT and FCW.

1:13:20Steph McMahon:Well, that's how I learned too. Yeah, you would just watch. But the difference is while we're watching tape, maybe critiquing you or whoever, I'm hearing Kevin Dunn and Vince give their feedback. At the same time as? Well, I just mean like sort of the same situation. Yeah, yeah. Like the conversation. So that's how I've always, and I didn't realize like the seat I had, right? the learning tree that I was under. But everything I learned, I learned while they're talking it through, you know, and it's like, I don't know, I think that was a great way to learn. Yeah. Because it causes you to think, right?

1:14:00Steph McMahon:And you are hearing the multiple perspectives, right? So they're like sort of hashing it out. And I learned so much just - Just like consistency by doing and listening. And watching. Yeah, watching. And then seeing for other people. and then knowing what they're looking for. Right? Because now, okay, I know what you're looking for. Sure, I'm going to give you what you want. Exactly. But you're so good. You're so good. The mean mug faces you do. You know, like... I love the mean face. Oh, dude. Oh, she's like, I've seen that a couple of times. She has a picture of me, but I have one of you too.

1:14:33Oh, yeah? Where's the picture?

1:14:35Steph McMahon:Oh. Do you have it? Go on. It's in my favorite. Prove it. It's terrible. I said I was going to set it as the background of my phone. But like you do this evil smile to you. It's just like, oh, my God. Because it feels good to be there. I was like, you're just so good at it. You're just so good. I just enjoyed it. Yeah. You know, and the people loved it. Yeah, they do. They love to hate me. Man, do they love to hate me. Oh, yeah. But when I, like, get them, you know, or surprise them or whatever, like, they love to be had, too. You know? Yeah, but you're so good to it. Like, you can go out there and be a baby face very easily if you wanted to.

1:15:09But you can also turn people on top. No, you've gone out there. You have. And people get so excited when you first walk out. but then you get on the mic and you switch them like this.

1:15:16Steph McMahon:Yeah, that's what I mean. My honeymoon doesn't last. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. It's like particularly fast. Yeah, no, I feel you. Oh, no, it's been texted. I think it's going to pop up here. Oh, wonderful. Let's see. It's trying to airdrop. Oh, it hasn't gone through yet. Oh, good. It'll get there. Oh, maybe I've got, I've put my Dan Housen on it. It's not going to go through. I love that you put Dan Housen here. He's so great. I love that guy. Oh, my God, yeah. When you said your mom cursed you, I was like, the original. Yeah. Yes. I'm glad that the fans came around really quickly. Yeah. I think they just didn't know at first.

1:15:52Steph McMahon:What it was. Or why we were doing it, you know? And now it's like, well, because he's really good. Yeah, he's great. Yeah. And he's got like this crazy charisma. Yeah. I'm trying. And only he can pull that kind of character off too. Yeah. That's what I mean. Yeah. It's like very, and then to see him work, he was pretty good. He's a great worker too. Yeah. So they'll see eventually when he starts like wrestling some more. But yeah, I love that the fans came around and they love him. Yeah. Because I was like, he's such a good dude. Yeah. I love that guy. Because you know him how long? Yeah, well, about four or five years now.

1:16:26Yeah. I would say. That's great. And then I saw him in Manchester. I was doing a signing out there. But like the weekend that he was debuting and he didn't say anything to me. Wow. I was like, fair enough though. It was a secret. Sure. But I was like, man, I was so happy for him. That's awesome. Yeah. Did you get to meet his wife too? She's a lovely. No, I haven't met her yet. She's like this pinup beautiful. Oh, yeah. Yeah, they're perfect for each other. Oh, that's so great. Yeah. I love that. I'm happy he's there. But I'm happy that I'm here. But about you.

1:16:52Steph McMahon:But I'm happy that I'm here. That's right. Yeah. Amen. Where's this picture? I don't know. Are you a sucker for me? I told you, I've put my electric voodoo on it. No? Didn't work? Oh, there you go. Great. Here we go. Here we go. This is the face she makes at me when I've disappointed her. Okay. When you've disappointed me in particular? Well. That was a photo shoot. And like in the moment something. Well, there was a lot of things happening. There was some things going not right. Wait, how long have you guys been friends for? A long time. Long time? Yeah. Well, we're going on 10 years of. Of working together.

1:17:36Steph McMahon:Yes. and I would say we were friends right away you know for sure but it was a working relationship that's how you meant it oh I love that so much that was the same with me and Zach over there working relationship blossoms and it's something special you're together you get to know what the person likes oh my god it was so funny just one example of that sorry to cut you off we went out to dinner and I don't realize I think that I don't wear my emotions on my sleeve but she could read me like a book i'm sure other people got too but so this waiter comes over and it's just the two of us one of the first dinners we had had just you and me yeah and um the waiter comes over and he's just irritating the shit out of me i don't remember what he was doing he was reading the wine list and but it was something there was something yeah no bothering me it was but i didn't think i sold like i don't think you could tell how that I was like irritated for no reason, right?

1:18:34Steph McMahon:Like I guess it was ridiculous. And then Elise looks at me and she's like, oh, that guy, he didn't know when to stop. You're like, I like you. I was like, oh, wait a minute. Yeah. How did you know? You were like. You know, it was just a moment. But he clearly wasn't paying attention. No. And he continued for the rest of the evening. He did. We've never returned. No, I'm just kidding. I feel like you would have a pretty good poker face though. I don't think in all these years Well but she reads me like a book But she can read you Yeah She's read you a book And I guess I must just say What I'm thinking a lot Cause Well Or yeah Just when you're like with Yeah Someone all the time And in like Good and bad situations And like Meetings Like you were prepping For the Vince meeting With the Yeah The 20 things And then you came back And I was like Fuck what was it Yeah Like what do we need to know For next time Yeah Just the work turn friendship turn whatever this is.

1:19:36Steph McMahon:What do they say about relationships formed in what crisis situations? Oh yeah. Oh that's. Yeah. And that's in the movie Speed. For the call out. I don't remember what the exact quote was and then I said it some day like recently. Some random guy knew what it was but I didn't retain it. Anyway. I don't even know what you're saying. It's okay. I'm influenced by Paige right now yeah I'm under her spell yeah yeah you're welcome I mean that makes sense but are you getting it up or no? am I? okay I didn't know if we were waiting for something sorry no no no no no okay Joe's like you just seem to be searching for something yeah I know I was like are we waiting for something?

1:20:21yeah I'm scared

1:20:23Steph McMahon:uh oh is it a photo of us fighting? oh god what are you looking he looks like he's up to something He does. I agree. You look like the cat that ate the canary right now. Tweety Bird, he looks like he's up to some... Oh. Oh, okay. Oh, okay. You do. You have like this chuckle on your face. You look cheeky instead. Cheeky. Cheeky. Yeah. Yeah, you look like you're up to something over there. Look at that. Why does your voice get high pitched? They've been working hard this week, too. I'll tell you that. This team does all of the pods. You know, there's like a variation, but there's one big pod team and they do.

1:21:01Steph McMahon:Like Cody's and everyone's? Right? Correct me if I'm wrong, but they do Takers, Cody's, After Raw, Logan's when you're here. Wow. Right? Mine. Wow. Ours. Yours.

1:21:16Steph McMahon:Yeah. Damn, you guys must be exhausted, huh? Damn. Okay. Listen to people yap all the time. I should know this is Takers. Sorry. Sorry if I'm yapping a lot. No, no, no. You guys did Take Ursina happen? Yes. How was it? I can't even believe I just totally missed it. You were a little busy. No, but how was it? Yeah. Oh, they did a podcast. A live one. Yeah. Oh, good. When you said live, it made me think of it. Oh, that's awesome. Awesome. I was really looking forward to that one. I got to catch it. Yeah. Oh, I love it. Good. I'm glad they got the mark. Yeah. I saw John a little bit yesterday too, dude.

1:21:59Steph McMahon:He's still the same guy. I know he is. Exactly the same. Yes. I'm like, yes. He's such a good guy. He was so funny when he turned to the camera and he's like, I'm not running down the ramp. Yeah. He's suited boot, that's why. That's right. Yeah, he doesn't have to do any of that. Yeah, that's right. He retired. Now he's the host. I was scared I wasn't going to be able to see him because he retired. No, he's still part of the business. Yeah. What a guy. Right? Yeah, I love his missus too. she didn't come up to me without him around and I was like oh yeah yeah she was very sweet yeah I've heard nothing but positive things and she seems very very sweet to me and she's gorgeous yeah she's beautiful lucky Joan yeah that's right how do you get that one I'm joking

1:22:48Steph McMahon:as they say yeah exactly so what are you like what are you feeling? What are you thinking in terms of your goals? Right? Like in a couple years, maybe we're going to have a baby, but we're going to free some eggs in the meantime. Yeah, we're going to free some eggs in the meantime. And, you know, what do you want to bring? You're champ already. I know. Right? That's crazy. One half of tag team champions. So like what would, how would you, I'm going to ask a question from my video. how would you define your success in you know four to five years oh my gosh I just I came in this time with the mindset where I just want to be happy yeah and have fun because I don't think I'm going to be wrestling after this run right now like I want to just enjoy my time that I have here embrace absolutely everything just enjoy the journey like that's all I care about but I do want to finally be able to be in the Royal Rumble that I got to not be a part of and do the Elimination Chambers and do like, you know, all these stipulation matches that were not around when I was Yeah, we weren't allowed.

1:24:00Yeah. Oh, I had to be backstage in Guerrilla when the Royal Rumble just started and no one knew I was retired by that point, you know? And so I just sat there and I was just really, I was sad. I was bit sweet. I was happy that the girls finally got you know like this big match that we didn't have before but I was sad because I wasn't a part of it and I didn't know if I was ever going to be a part of it again yeah you know and so to have this moment where I'm back in WWE my neck is good I'm wrestling again and there is opportunities for me to be a part of these stipulation matches I mean man like I'm really excited good excited for the for the next couple of years that's awesome I don't know what I'm gonna get myself into but not trouble.

1:24:40Steph McMahon:Well, maybe the right kind of trouble. Yeah, yeah, the good kind of trouble. I'll behave myself. I think it's impossible for you to not get into trouble. I know, I know, I'm a pain in the arse. Come on, you caused that trouble. You are trouble. I remember, oh my gosh, I remember, do you remember when the Jackass production crew was backstage and we got to prank a bunch of people? Oh, I didn't see that. And I didn't realize there was a no prank list. Right? So I had this cattle prod. Do you remember Jackie? I had this cattle prod, which doesn't feel good at all. Yeah, and I was running around and zapping everybody with this sucker, dude.

1:25:18And you hadn't zapped yourself first? No, no, no, no. They could never get me. I was like, no, I'm good. And in the end, I didn't realize Titus was on the no zap list. Or no, prank list. No zap. Uh-oh. He lost his lid, dude.

1:25:33Steph McMahon:Wait, was this at the Hall of Fame sometime? Was it that weekend? It was a busy week It might have been mania For some reason I feel like it's one of those things That shit hit the fan on Because I think I remember hearing about it And it was like wait what On top of all the things that happen And then you have all the unexpected Things that happen And then she had a cattle prod For some reason they gave me the cattle prod and I like didn't give you the lift not even a gimmick cattle prod no it was a real cattle prod backstage damn in my hands what are they thinking yeah it was stupid like you're giving like this 24 year old this thing and so like I zapped Titus and he lost his lid he screamed and he kicked the cameras and he was like mad he was mad he just speaks to me for like two months but he goes into Vince and he was like Paige electrocuted me da da da da told me off She stuck a cattle prod up my head.

1:26:36Yeah, exactly. Exactly. It was on his cheek, I think. It was on his cheek. And so I go into the office because Vince calls me. He goes, can you stop electrocuting people? So I was like, yeah. I'm sorry. I can do that for you. He thought he was a little funny. Yeah, he actually thought he was a little funny. So he had like that sort of humor. Of course he did. He was like, come on, please stop.

1:27:00Steph McMahon:He's like, come on. I'm doing it again. Yeah, he told Ties to lighten up. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. But stay away from Titus. Yeah, yeah. But stay away from Titus. And Titus, he's one of the nicest guys on the planet. No, he's the sweetest. I love him. Oh, man. He does so much for so many people. The communities and just charities. Like, he's great. He is an amazing human being. He really is. So I really zapped a really good person. So you did. You got a good one. Yeah, and he ignored me for two months straight. No. Yeah, he did. Wow. And so eventually he came up. Yes. Oh, he was mad. He's like, I'm on that no prank list.

1:27:32Steph McMahon:I had no idea. Which to me makes you a target. 100 % Don't put me on the no prank list They gave you the cattle prod without the list That's on them They didn't tell me about any no prank list They should have known not to give her Who wants to be on a no prank list Come on But I think it makes you a target It does make you a target So these five people I can't They're like public enemy number one Anytime I see that group I'm going to be like I'm coming for you Yeah exactly they couldn't get me someone doesn't want to get pranked yeah they couldn't get me for the longest time with these pranks every time I was like this is a prank this is a prank you kind of like no no no right right eventually they gave me like this Jeff Tremaine he was the guy who created Jackass he eventually got me so he was just like he was like Paige come back here I need you to do some voiceovers really quick and I was like okay so we go into like this little pipe and drape area and he gets me to sit on this stall and as I sat on the stall it electrocuted me and it went And he like pressed the button and it like went from my legs all the way up into my neck.

1:28:35Oh my God. Really? It was bad. And he was dying. It was so painful. Oh my God. I bet. A lot worse than the catapult.

1:28:43Steph McMahon:What happens? Do your muscles get like real stiff? Yeah. It went like fully stiff and I fell to the ground and stuff. And I was like. Oh my God. I didn't get mad. I was like, hey, fair enough. Fair play. Like you got me. Yeah. Because like I was ungettable. But like the whole time they were there. Did they ever tell you that Titus actually set that up? No. Oh, wait. I was like, hang on a second. Imagine. She got you. Ten years later. I'm sorry. Yeah. How is it ten years later? You find you got his lick back. Well, this has been amazing. Thank you. I would love to keep the conversation going. WrestleMania just started.

1:29:17Steph McMahon:Oh, yes. Yes. Yeah. And Paige, I love you. We leave this open now for part two. Yes. Definitely. I just am so proud of you. Thank you. And so happy for you. Welcome home. Thank you. Welcome home. Thank you so much. You are such a gift. And there is just something so special that shines in you. And people love you for it. And nobody ever wants to see that light dim. Thank you so much. Thank you. I get to see the podcast. For the first time. Yeah. Got more to come.