Now a member of AEW’s Death Riders, Marina Shafir was contracted with WWE from 2018 into 2021, when the corporate released her. Opening up on “Close Up with Renee Paquette,” Shafir credited Bloodsport’s Josh Barnett for helping her stay afloat within the aftermath of her release.
“I had just gotten released from [WWE] and I didn’t what the f**k was gonna occur,” Shafir said. “All I knew was that I had a mortgage to pay. I needed to f***ing hustle. My son deserves the perfect education and I would like to fortify myself and establish myself.”
Shafir wrestled Jody Threat on certainly one of Barnett’s Bloodsport events, and she or he believes that match helped her make a reputation for herself outside of WWE. Barnett was previously Shafir’s coach in MMA, and he used to assist her get her head in the sport ahead of bouts, which she said carried over to her time in Bloodsport.
Moreover, Barnett is friends with Jon Moxley, and the AEW star took notice of Shafir around this time. In response to Paquette, her husband Moxley raved about Shafir’s talents within the aftermath of the match, and he eventually took the previous MMA star under his wing.
Shafir began making AEW appearances in late 2021, but it surely wasn’t until 2024 that she took on a more distinguished role in the corporate, joining up with Moxley and the Death Riders. She’s grow to be a stalwart member of the group and maybe Moxley’s closest onscreen ally, and Shafir got a serious win in the primary women’s Blood & Guts match last 12 months. While she hasn’t yet won a championship in AEW, that seems more likely to change sooner or later within the near future.
Should you use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “Close Up with Renee Paquette” and supply a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.