IYO SKY sat down with Denise Salcedo at the WWE 2K26 Creator Fest at WWE Headquarters, and the WWE Women's Tag Team Champion delivered one of the more candid and heartfelt interviews of the event.
The biggest moment came when Salcedo asked about her championship partnership with Rhea Ripley — and Iyo put the full arc of their relationship into perspective.
That's so heartwarming to me because we were growing up — when we were in NXT, we were always wrestling each other. We were growing up [together]. But we were not friends at NXT. But now we are [together] on Raw, and we are finally best friends, and we made so much history and we are creating history as well — wrestling together, teamed up together. We are making great chemistry.
The two captured the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships in January, and the pairing — known as Rhiyo — has since become one of the more compelling stories in the women's division.
They've been defending the titles against Giulia and Kiana James heading into Elimination Chamber, with Ripley also competing in the Chamber match itself.
Still Pinching Herself
For all her championship success, Iyo's dominant emotional note throughout the interview was genuine disbelief at where her career has taken her.
Sometimes I'm in Gorilla, or in the backstage, and I'm talking with WWE Superstars — like Triple H, like Rey Mysterio — I say hello, I can even hug them. So I feel like I'm dreaming, because I still cannot believe I'm here sometimes. But it's real, and I'm so much enjoying this life.
She also made her intentions clear heading into WrestleMania season.
WrestleMania 42. Only two months left. I cannot believe it. Of course, I want to be there. I want to go to the WrestleMania ring. Of course.
And when asked what she does to unwind outside of wrestling? No hesitation:
I like cats. I'm a big cat person. I want to snuggle with cats — and cats make me so happy. Sleeping on the bed with a cat is the best thing.
When Salcedo offered one word — "Therapy?" — Iyo laughed and agreed.
