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PROGRESS Wrestling have released their second episode of STORIES OF PROGRESS with the much talked about Rhio!
Here are quotes from the long form interview that can be found on DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS and the A2theK Wrestling Show.
Winning Revelations of divine love in 2021:
“I wasn’t sure if I was really ready because PROGRESS was always a place I wanted to get to. But winning showed me I compete”
Facing Gisele Shaw:
“We were the main event in Manchester. I was representing the north and I fell short. It gave me an element of doubt… my mind isn’t the way it is now.”
Winning the thunderbastard key:
“The thunderbastard match is mad there’s so many moving parts to it”
Unlocking her key to win the PROGRESS Women’s World Championship:
“I played the long game. I had to get Lana Austin alone. She had three people by her side at all times. I watched the cracks fall and found the right moment.
On her long reign:
“I didn’t want to be a champion sat on the sidelines. If you want it… I welcome it. I got tired of having people jump me though.”
On representing PROGRESS:
“British wrestling has gone from being dead to one of the hottest things going. People from other countries were wanting to see PROGRESS and that was special.
Defending the title abroad:
“Working with DEFY was great. They make their division seem as dangerous as PROGRESS do. I hope for more crossover shows. I want competition not collaboration. Let’s put a fight into it. I want Marina Shafir!”
The SSS16 ladder match:
“It was huge pressure. Fans may have been sceptical of women’s wrestling on a weekend with one women’s match. So we wanted to outshine the men and we did”
On getting the new championship belt:
“The new look of women’s wrestling in PROGRESS was me. I added to my legacy and it was special.”
On her first ever electric ballroom main event:
“It was the first PROGRESS show on Triller. From a business perspective me and Lizzy Evo had to do well.”
On losing her title to Nina Samuels:
“My anger comes from her. She couldn’t stand face to face with me. I should have known better. I should have checked my ego. It was an embarrassment how fast it was over. It hurt a lot. I had done so much with the division. We showed our division is the best in Europe and she doesn’t care. She doesn’t even care about PROGRESS. It’s all about the Nina Samuels show. I don’t want to be part of the Nina Samuels show. I want it cancelled.”
The difference between 2021 Rhio and 2025 Rhio:
“My experiences have made me better in every single way. You need to hit rock bottom to get to where you want to be. My mindset is different. It’s that of a champion. People say I’m lucky… no. People don’t see the hard work. Maybe that’s my fault because I only show the highlight reel on social media.”
On facing Meiko Satomura:
“Mentally I’m thinking the right process. I don’t want my ego to fail me again. I’ve never faced anyone on Meiko’s level. It’s her last singles match in the UK and she’s coming for blood. She’s probably coming to me for the worst night of my life. But I wouldn’t be put in this position if I wasn’t able. She wouldn’t have accepted the match if she didnt want it and for me to have her last match in the UK is crazy. I need someone like that. I’m doing it!”
On her inspirations:
“The first person I remember saying that I want to be like was Beth Phoenix. She was so different. She was beautiful and had the muscles. The aura and intimidation. She owned every moment she was given.”
On wrestling in Vegas this April:
“I was never really interested in America. Orlando changed that. If a job came around it would have been cool but I wasn’t really phased by it. I’m looking forward to Vegas… how Blackpool is it?!!”
What she wants her PROGRESS legacy to be:
“I want people to think of PROGRESS and think of me. Over 400 days and 20 defences. The old PROGRESS you think of Toni Storm. The new PROGRESS… think of me.”
Her dream PROGRESS opponent:
“Natalya.”
