Maya World’s stock in All Elite Wrestling has greatly increased this year, with standout matches against in-ring veterans Mercedes Moné and Athena strengthening her resume. “The CEO” and the ROH Women’s World Champion haven’t just helped boost her record, though. As World recently attested, they’ve also bettered her as a performer.
I could easily say the Mercedes match. It definitely put me on the trajectory I’m on now with the [TBS] Championship,” World told Daily Star in an interview. “But before that, all my matches I was having with Athena. I can credit her until I’m blue in the face. She definitely changed me, helped me get better each match, of course, by training me too. So definitely Athena.
In addition to wrestling the “Forever Champion,” World spent much time training and learning alongside her. She revealed that Athena’s best advice centered on staying ready for anything and anyone that might come her way.
She just kind of told me like ‘These opportunities are going to come to you. You have to be ready for every single one. So just stay prepared. Just staying prepared and staying ready for every opportunity that comes your way,’” World recalled.
At All In, AEW’s biggest yearly pay-per-view, World defended the TBS Championship against Persephone, a talent dual-contracted to AEW and CMLL. The surprise return of Britt Baker later caused her to lose it, putting her title reign to an end at 35 days.
