Athena (Ember Moon) On Frustrations With WWE Creative

Former WWE Superstar Ember Moon (Athena) joins Chris Van Vliet to discuss her frustrations with WWE creative before her eventual release from the company, as well as what plans she was told were in store for her. Ember Moon is a 15-year veteran of professional wrestling who worked at WWE from 2015 to 2021.
This is a clip from our full interview that you can listen to on my podcast "INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet" and watch on my ‪@ChrisVanVliet‬ channel here: • Athena (Ember Moon) On...
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#EmberMoon #WWE #Athena

[@RoyallyRumbled]

"I am an adult, I can't deal with this high school bullshit." - how I feel about the drama at most "professional" places of employment.

[@MilkmanC]

Everyday I’ve got multiple fools who can’t bury the hatchet all quiet and awkward. Retail lol

[@lracseroom8286]

@@MilkmanC can’t bury the hatchet...so, like Ember here?

[@MilkmanC]

@@lracseroom8286 are we trying the complaining about complaining argument? 😂

[@bladestormviking]

@@lracseroom8286 ember is just being honest about her exp in the company and the toxic psycho bullshit they pull.

[@michaelsinger4638]

Especially when the old man in charge is the biggest man child out of all of them.

[@LeglessWonder]

She is one of the greatest examples of WWE not using someone properly. And yea, like she said, splitting her and Shotzi up was major dumb. Hopefully she finds happiness now

[@lracseroom8286]

was she just expecting Shotzi to be in a waiting position while she was recuperating? from her umpteenth injury that year? Especially when Shotzi was more over than her? Yeah, she was, because she's a selfish, entitled c*nt apparently.

[@chrisshuttonn1158]

She wasn't even that great

[@tw475]

victim of a change in management. I feel bad for her. hope she keeps doing well.

[@KobashifanSam]

The other problem was the injuries she suffered during all her pushes. But the splitting of her and shotzi was dumb for sure.

[@senonimoustv2497]

@@tw475 Yhh for sure.

[@seanhuggan1989]

She spoke with a lot of respect, and it didn't sound like it was coming from a place of bitterness, but just a respectful honesty. Sad that Ember wasn't used better.

[@CarbonGod666]

Light Shiners L

[@CarbonGod666]

@MicoMedia Universe L

[@Vesperitis]

That "I'VE GIVEN YOU THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BODY" outburst is so genuine. You can tell, this is the real sticking point for her. She broke herself for the company, and nobody cared about the work that she put in, when she has been nothing but a team player. You can't be a team player if the team doesn't care about you.

[@wingedhussar1453]

It ultimately doesntn matter.in WWE u are just a character.a character cast first and wrestler second.if they don't need you then they let you go.just like a show.they keep around certain guys like Miz or Dolph only because theyr pieces that are always in midcard and are reliable

[@AneesSarwar34]

@@wingedhussar1453 it doesn’t make it right though, and it’s never fun to see talented people get released and mediocre people getting pushed.

[@wingedhussar1453]

@@AneesSarwar34 yea it does,your a character if they feel they can't fit u on the show or they don't want to use u it's all on them.you should always know this as a WWE wrestler,she can still be a wrestler,it's just that WWE sees no plan in her

[@AneesSarwar34]

@@wingedhussar1453 dude even the so called “characters” they are pushing are mediocre, at least with ember moon I knew I was gonna be entertained in the ring, and Vince didn’t even give her a chance to develop on the main roster, so he doesn’t give them a chance and still lets them go, no wonder they don’t fit cuz Vince won’t let them.

[@wingedhussar1453]

@@AneesSarwar34 bro she had 5 years to get somehwere with her character and gimmick ,they just didnt see her as the kind of girls they want

[@cmderinchief]

Is it wrong to say that my heart broke when she started to cry? I liked her already. This seals it - as long as she is a wrestler, I am a fan of hers.

[@spideysim3892]

I feel you, I’m naturally a really empathetic person and I’ve always loved Ember it was really hard to watch as she expressed what she had to go through.

[@lracseroom8286]

simp

[@budgiecat2885]

@@spideysim3892 she put her heart and passion and blood sweat and tears out there and they just trampled on it because they dont appreciate it. Not cool

[@UFCWWE69]

Soft

[@TravelingPhilosopher]

It is not wrong, it shows that you empathized with her on a deep emotional level and it affected you.

[@troyaturner1979]

Cannot WAIT for this interview. Ember Moon was criminally underutilized in WWE.

[@e-man7143]

Agreed. But she so had kind of a joke gimmick. She was doomed from the get go. Unless they took her in a more serious direction

[@troyaturner1979]

@@e-man7143 facts! HHH was the only one who knew what she was really capable of in the ring and with her character.

[@badmanarnie2456]

Not really. Great in ring, but promo skills were non existent. You need both to succeed with WWE. It's a shame because i think she has one of the best finishers in recent memory. But, i just don't like this whole "they did nothing for me" stuff. Without WWE and NXT she wouldn't be known other than maybe to the hardcore fans, and that's not trying to protect WWE at all, it's just the truth. AEW won't treat her any better. What they have done with Ruby is mind blowing. No one can say AEW have done more than WWE with her. In WWE she was the main star of a great faction featured every week. In AEW she's been jobbed out and put on a youtube show. THAT is criminal.

[@whyareyoureadingthiis886]

@@badmanarnie2456 most fans wouldn’t understand this 💯 completely right

[@richeyd12]

She was boring and the women's roster was stacked soooo she ain't make the cut

[@Heroesworkshop]

Mick Foley was right. A lot of new talent shouldn't trust WWE with their careers. A lot of people sit parked in NXT for years just to get released once Vince gets his hands on you. The novelty wears off quick.

[@giorhivers1672]

When did he say this?

[@Rastasskate2]

@@giorhivers1672 Mick Foley’s channel

[@gbej1]

@@Rastasskate2 The question was *when* did he say this. Post the link so we can watch and listen to him say it

[@KoolKeithProductions]

@@gbej1 Foley said it not too long ago, because l believe he referenced Keith Lee and Kross, who were both released in the past 6 months. Sadly, l think he has a point. Just imagine if The Rock, Stone Cold or John Cena were starting out in wwe today. All 3 would have likely been released, because none of them started off as instant successes, or over with the fans. It took time, work and gimmick changes for them to find themselves, which is something the superstars of today don't get any of.

[@weece9442]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKGpo3xnZcp7Zsk

[@joevollman]

At Wrestlecon in Dallas right before WMania...she talked to my daughter on the phone about my daughter's rainbow colored hair. My daughter got choked up in tears. Ember went above and beyond to do that. A REAL human being through and through as seen in this video. My daughter and l love her!💜

[@dumbaccount]

You're daughter sounds like a dumbass for dying her hair like that and you're a dumbass for allowing your daughter to do that

[@kijo.]

What a beutiful thing to hear ❤ god bless u all.

[@bjenkins6450]

Nice story! And I was there also!!

[@zacktyler2810]

@joev How exciting.

[@zacktyler2810]

@@bjenkins6450 IKR 💯

[@seventyseven7815]

She is truly one of the best women's wrestlers in the business today. I can't believe that WWE didn't have her against Charlotte or Becky. What a waste.

[@Excremental_Discharge]

Ember has hands-down one of the sickest looking finishers going today

[@theicewhiteking6290]

Bro you think that would have mattered in am interview with bayley she said they were supposed to have a barn burner of a match at summerslam 2019 until management changed the script and how the match was going to be played wwe management have there heads so far up their ass they don't know what they are doing at all I mean look how they treated kiari and auska two of the best in the world

[@seventyseven7815]

@@theicewhiteking6290 I agree, Asuka, Ember Moon, and Shana Bazler are in my opinion the only top girls I'd want to see forever. Hopefully she'll stay in the business and not let this incident turn her away from wrestling.

[@Leftrightandthetruth]

wwe is good but not great

[@KoolKeithProductions]

@@seventyseven7815 Ember can't cut a promo tho. In Vince's eyes that's the kiss of death

[@Greg93x]

To use a quote from the late Brodie Lee, Ember finally reached her "fuck this place" moment.

[@lracseroom8286]

Same Brodie Lee who'd probably still be alive if he worked in a place with a professional medical staff and the wrestlers aren't just allowed to do whatever TF they want? That Brodie Lee? Also, ZERO chance you were even a mild fan of his until he died and he was annointed Jesus Christ of Smarkdom.

[@carlosr6462]

@@lracseroom8286 does it hurt being so stupid ?

[@Baller4Now]

@@lracseroom8286 wow, get fucked dude. This isn't AEW vs. WWE, go somewhere else

[@budgiecat2885]

@@lracseroom8286 Now you're really showing your obesity

[@borngeek]

@@lracseroom8286 stand up for WWE 😂

[@MrDrdiaz81084]

My heart really breaks for her. She put in work and got let go because Vince couldn't find out how to use her properly. It's too easy to get her over. She's awesome.

[@charlesbuckley5615]

She can't cut promos and she is bland oh you forgot to mention that

[@joseph906]

Couldn't cut promos, like Reigns?

[@rleonardgreen78]

@@joseph906 Reigns is s better promo than Athena is.

[@joseph906]

@@rleonardgreen78 you missed the point. Reigns is doing better now, because they invested so much in him. He was bad at first.

[@nickkozinski4519]

@@joseph906 reigns got some of the badass mic skills now fuck u mean lol

[@KayamaKoomori]

Ember Moon was my most favorite female wrestler in not only NXT, but all WWE. She had an awesome look, awesome entrance theme, awesome finisher. She was an entire package. WWE creative is killing so many careers, and I'm honestly done with pro wrestling because of them

[@theghettoracle]

Agreed, from performance, charisma, style and athleticism you automatically knew first glance when she wrestled that she was special!

[@tmage23]

"You can be a coach" Imagine hearing that at 33 years old when some of your peers are wrestling into their 40s and 50s

[@chriss790]

Most women aren't. But that said, it is naturally ridiculous. Feels like it's something an old man booker would say once he sees a chick get into the age when he thinks she's supposed to be raising kids rather than wrestling on TV.

[@wingedhussar1453]

It's called we have nothing for u at the time

[@anthonykaruri6430]

@BigGreen yes, she's not But thing is, if you're a good tag person, in a tag team, and breaks up said tag team, put your partner in another tag team with someone else, and you're told to be a coach, then your fans have the right to be angry No one wants her headlining the division, people want to see her used to the best of her capabilities. Huge difference

[@80sToyBoy]

her a coach and Adam Cole a manager.

[@NateNizzle]

@BigGreen bingo!

[@brianmoore3243]

I feel bad for Ember and it's frustrating knowing there are those people, those "fans" that'll defend WWE and call Ember bitter or ungrateful, but the problems in wwe are plain to see

[@ShaneDouglas713]

FACTS

[@Thomas-kp8mo]

FACTS

[@nottoomuch87]

Been plain to see since it existed.

[@michaelsimmons1430]

I'm not sure if there's any fans that would defend WWE about ember Moon everybody knows they f*** that up lol

[@jimmynye3665]

No real Ember Moon fan would dare defend WWE for how dirty they did her. She never complained once to management even though she could see where it was all going. Dress more revealing and dress more like Mandy Rose like WTF???!!! I thought WWE was past all that sexualize the women bullshit! And then now apparently the moronic higher ups are trying to drag the women's division 10 years back like what the hell is their problem?! Mandy Rose Isn't even that good and they have the nerve to tell more deserving and talented women to dress like her? What a crock of shit man!

[@edwardperez968]

Awesome interview. WWE really dropped the ball with Ember Moon. She's way too talented to just be a coach.

[@JohnHillRSNStudios]

Vince doesn’t realize that his ways are hurting the company. Yes he’s done a lot of great things and yes WWE is in great financial shape but creatively they’ve stunk it up for a long time save for the main event scene. When you change your mind dozens of times in the week leading up to the show, that’s not a good thing.

[@mckenziejohnson8449]

Amen

[@ShaneDouglas713]

FACTS

[@distortedsoul27]

Let's face it: he lucked into surviving by getting two megastars to hit at the same time in the late 90's, even then he was begrudgingly forced into the attitude era. Heck he even got rolefillers for Razor Ramon and Diesel because the gimmick was all that mattered to him. No offence to HHH or Taker but if it was just either of them as the head of the roster the company wouldn't have survived. Michaels didn't have the fans staying power and they found that out pretty early on into his early runs. The same argument could be said of Bret Hart once they went into the attitude era.

[@dejesusjason9936]

He doesn’t realize he’s killing peoples passion in this industry. He’s hurting their feelings and many of them just quit wrestling and go on with their normal life. He’s truly a poison to the wrestling industry

[@darkknight3251]

@@dejesusjason9936 His time has passed. For the better. He must let go completely. He did good work on his show in his prime.

[@joeboggio4002]

Man, they did her wrong on so many levels

[@darylhall2198]

they do everyone wrong

[@ShaneDouglas713]

FACTS

[@Wyatt6661]

Lol aew samw

[@trilogysequel5133]

@@Wyatt6661 Actually that’s not true. Wrestlers actually get creative control-input at AEW. Stop being a WWE fanladyboy

[@Wyatt6661]

@@trilogysequel5133 dude Two women Kiss in the center of the ring on aew and I’m not a blind guy but it’sI can count more then 10 who can see their butt cheeks come on

[@nothingislogical]

Jesus Christ. I've never been the biggest Ember Moon fan but I have to give her credit for finally putting her foot down and not tolerating the bullshit anymore. It sounds like working for WWE was a fucking nightmare.

[@lracseroom8286]

either that or she's an entitled b*tch who's also an injury prone liability with no character or mic skills.

[@budgiecat2885]

and not the first interview I've heard from wrestlers tired of WWE management either. First one I watched was on Tay Conti. I didnt quite understand it but the more videos of other wrestlers I started watching saying more or less the same things, the more I began to. Its a shame. WWE should be at the level they are with such disregard for their employees like that.

[@SwagYaj]

Working with WWE now is a nightmare. I hear so many stories from the current generation explaining just how bad it is working with them

[@budgiecat2885]

@@SwagYaj I hope Cody Rhodes doesnt eventually regret moving back there

[@Eparabola]

@@SwagYajhe must be getting 3 million a year and creative control at least. Not quite Lesnar money, but he's doing ok.

[@iseerashonal821]

She is the reason I started watching NXT. Her performances were very convincing.

[@bodenlosedosenhose1590]

You know, it's one thing to hear about people getting fired via Meltzer or the WWE itself, but a completely different thing to hear it from the person who had to suffer from it. Kudos to Ember for not sugarcoating it.

[@deadpoolnerd]

From this one clip you can definitely sense the feeling of love and pride Ember has for her work and what she does. Because yeah she could've just sat back accepted whatever bs they're throwing her way because the checks good. It's never good news to hear people let go, but at the very least she's in a better place she's where she can foster that love and passion and be happy. And that's way more important than money or any other bs.

[@krosskross1221]

Stop romanticizing that. Not everyone can find peace in WWE or any other company. Take Brian Cage in AEW for example. You have guys like Balor, Nakamura, female legends like Asuka staying in WWE because they care about their families. They care about their legacies and they want to be paid well in the biggest dream company they grew up wanting to be at. You can't get more than that. Going to AEW so people can say nice stuff about you in comment sections and Dave Metlzer can rate you five stars or you can be with Indy friends, not really the world's most tempting offers.

[@TheWrestlinEra]

CORRECT. F the money stick to your guns. Anyone who blindly takes an offer from WWE for more money or what have you are all clowns who in the long run will either be released anyway or unhappy as well lol.

[@deadpoolnerd]

@@krosskross1221 Those offers can be more tempting. Not everything is just money. Because look at Ember here, CM Punk in his intial interview Jon Moxley in his. All expressed some form of deep unhappiness and depression, just from a certain environment. To me no one should endure that, even if the pay is good. If you feel that way with any company you should be allowed to leave to go do what makes you happy. Sure nothing wrong with say Cody returning for his families legacy, Nakamura staying so he may provide for his family in America he's happy at. But if they become unhappy those reasons shouldn't be the reason to just accept that.

[@samcooper2474]

@@krosskross1221 🙄 quit pissing cool aid son. WWE is hardly the dream job it used to hype itself up as and all the talent still working there who don't get pushed know this. And AEW wrestlers also get provided with enough income to support their families too so that excuse is bust. And the promise of being able to do the thing you love without bs from creative or the boss, as apposed to being just another talent in the shuffle, is actually a lot more tempting to way more wrestlers than marks like you are willing to recognise. But by all means, do keep peddling that little narrative you cooked up.

[@studio3js196]

@@krosskross1221 I love how the commenters' point and even Ember’s comments are about having fun and being in love with working on their craft and work environment, and your comment immediately ran to the neckbeard talking point of wanting to gain happiness from social media comments and Meltzer ratings. I guess being slow like a special needs kid is what your kind is best at, so I can’t be too surprised

[@Chiwalker]

For a woman who has one of the most unique and cool finishers, the fact that WWE screwed up with her speaks volumes to how bad at least creative is. Should be a big red flag for any wrestler thinking of jumping ship to WWE.

[@blind-sidelocc6052]

AEW even worse...ijs

[@liamgraer9594]

@@blind-sidelocc6052 but your saying WWE is an absolute dumpster fire of awfulness right? WWE is terrible right? Your just adding that aew is bit worse ?

[@lracseroom8286]

the same finisher that will be a large part of her having a fake hip by 50?

[@Mephiam]

@@lracseroom8286 remind all of us with your sprewing across all the threads here- What is your list of accomplishments in the WWE? Or any circuit? Please share.....

[@moseman447]

@@lracseroom8286 The first thing I thought of. She should save that for big feuds and championship matches. Get another impactful finisher.

[@andrewvincent7299]

I feel for her because she has so much talent as a wrestler, had a great look and charisma, and could talk on the mic. There was no reason for her to be taken off tv. She should have been an upper card wrestler without a doubt. It's a damn shame but she is a tough person and will grow from this and hopefully if she wants to, she'll be offered to return in the future.

[@BluSpykz]

Her trilogy with Asuka is peak NXT for me, at least neck and neck with DIY/Revival, and Gargano/Ciampa. Great story told over 3 chapters.

[@Rollyboy141]

Keep in mind, Athena/Ember was told during the first tryout “Didn’t have the Diva look” Guess things haven’t changed much

[@cliffordjackson3]

FACTS dude when your told you don’t have the diva look that goes to show how badly the wwe wants to go back to the days of the divas era where there are 2 or 3 minute matches, women’s championship are used a props, and they just focus on a women’s wrestlers looks instead of their actual ability in the ring.

[@tw475]

I'm not saying it hasn't. Tegan Nox said something very similar when she talked about her release. I also see Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin that don't have a typical diva look getting featured heavily on nxt.

[@almightycinder]

It's fairly random. They also refused to do anything with Taynara Conti, and she had the diva look. She was also clearly okay with the booty shorts, since she wears them in AEW. They just didn't want to do anything with her.

[@jczura5602]

@@almightycinder but Tay isn't a native english speaker. wwe wasn't going to do much with her because of that.

[@almightycinder]

@@jczura5602 They told her it was because they were more interested in using the indie wrestlers at the time.

[@jetman80pops]

Ember summed up WWE "creative" pretty well. This is what happens when you fill creative with idiots who don't know wrestling. They'll screw over good talent who knows how to go in the ring. Yet they'll give storylines and pushes to someone like idk Omos who is horrible in the ring and horrible on promo.

[@tayan219]

This is all on Vince McMahon not the individuals of creative team

[@rcdotson4433]

@@tayan219 if they aren't standing up for themselves...it's them too

[@tayan219]

@@rcdotson4433 lol they dont make the decisions

[@_Reegs]

@@rcdotson4433 yea iight go head n try to stand up to Vince u gettin fired bro🤦🏾‍♂️😭😭

[@AMaidenlessRunt]

@@rcdotson4433 none of the writers is telling vince no the few that have got fired even if vince approve something it doesn't stop him from changing shit at the last minute. He needs to retire already old man lost it a long time ago.

[@LeeEverett1]

Props to the interviewer for actually letting her talk and mostly listening. It's a small thing but I can't stand the ones who constantly interrupt, shift it on themselves, prematurely ending a topic just to ask another question etc.

[@CVVCLIPS]

Thanks very much Lee. I was just as interested in hearing this story as everyone else!

[@RVDv1]

This is heartbreaking and fascinating. If she came back this could be a great motivation for her character/promos.

[@turtlew1019]

Athena (Ember Moon) and Kana (Asuka) were the reason I got back into watching wrestling and they are currently my 2 favorite wrestlers period. What they did to Ember Moon's career at WWE is sickening for a wrestler of her skillset. Her NXT matches against Asuka are among thee best wrestling matches in the history of WWE. For them to draft her back to NXT and ruin her Win/Loss record there before her release...I stopped watched wrestling for a long while. It's so good to hear the backstory here and with her interview some time back with Booker T and even better to see her wrestling again. What she brought to the table...she should've at least had that RAW Women's championship around her waist and a refueled feud with Asuka and Shayna Baszler.

[@1330timbuktu]

I was in the crowd to see her debut at NXT Takeover Brooklyn. I would have never guessed she'd have such an underwhelming run on the main roster. WWE creative drops the ball again.

[@tj2nasty4ya83]

To b honest some of these wrestlers should just stick to nxt

[@WillReacts]

i knew she was done after being in the crowd for her match at Summerslam 2019.

[@1330timbuktu]

@Aaron 88 I never said I hate WWE, just that they don't always do the best creatively with the talents they have. Would you like people in your life to give up on you whenever they're upset?

[@BetterWithBob]

I was losing interest in WWE at the time and I'd stop watching sometime in 2017. But that was one of the few things that got me excited. The whole look, entrance and music seemed to spell out great things for her.

[@osvaldoluna2020]

As a long time WWE fan, this makes me look down on the company as a whole. Not the athletes at all but, the people that make the decisions in that company. Ember Moon is an awesome talent. I was always a big fan of hers. She seems like such a sweet soul and deserves nothing but the best in life. Hope to see you soon Ember 😉

[@healingchurchpotluck5352]

Yup. That's all there is to say really

[@DudeinGA]

@MicoMedia Universe I don't know, by asking them and talking to them? Not everyone is a Rock or Stone Cold, but not everyone is Eva Marie either. Just give them bullet points and say "Go." If those wrestling at the WWE are supposedly the best, they can come up with something. The standard answer with a lot of the wrestlers getting released is either "WWE creative has nothing for them" (i.e. the writers don't actually watch wrestling matches either or if they did, whatever insulting segments the wrestlers are involved with didn't lead anywhere) or "budget cuts" (Nick Khan has convinced Vince McMahon to release someone).

[@DudeinGA]

@MicoMedia Universe Yes, that's because the WWE has painted themselves into a corner. There's only two people drawing a dime. One is a part time wrestler Brock Lesnar and lost a stinker of a match to the other one. The other one was pushed past the point of regurgitation and was never over to begin with and now wants us to 'acknowledge him.' Any major threat to Roman Reigns is a foregone conclusion that they won't win because Vince McMahon decides they won't win. Drew McIntyre will be fed to him; Cody Rhodes will too. If I'm a fan, I don't see the point of being excited to see McIntyre or Rhodes face Reigns because they'll lose anyway. The women's division is abysmal and not what it was during the first Becky Lynch/Ronda Rousey feud. Ronda Rousey is terrible on the mic and they are actually piping in crowd noise when she talks. But all of those wrestlers I mentioned are 'drawing a dime.'

[@osvaldoluna2020]

@MicoMedia Universe Obviously you have no knowledge of WWE/WWF in the past decades. Ever heard of Jimmy Superfly Snuka? No mic skills whatsoever. Amazing ring talent! How about The Dragon, Ricky Steamboat? I guess he was an amazing talker on the mic! Nope! More recently, Rhonda, no charisma, Rousey is competing for the WWE title every time she's on TV. But that's ok. She loves the wrestling business that's why she's there right?

[@osvaldoluna2020]

@MicoMedia Universe If you don't know then you're definitely not a fan. You must be an occasional fan. It's about being able to tell a story within the ring. That's what it's all about. And if it were for being a draw, then why was Rusev let go? Rusev was Super Hot a few years ago? Rusev Day shirts sold out when he was there. Don't be stupid and talk about being a draw. You're the one looking like an idiot coming up with excuses on why these people got released. You must be related to Nick Khan 🤣🤣

[@chandlercollins806]

I remember on one episode of NXT when Ember was facing Dakota with Raquel ringside and I heard Raquel said to Ember “You’re nothing without Shotzi!”. Granted this being shortly after Shotzi was called up to main roster. I know it was supposed to be kayfabe and all but I knew it was management’s way of burying her before eventually firing her. Good for her coming out fully about her time there, hope she finds another promotion that sees her as a star she is.

[@TheNeonParadox]

I'm not at all surprised to hear that's what the creative meetings turned into after Hunter was gone. It's heartbreaking to hear about her last few months there. She is an asset anywhere she goes, and she's a hell of a D&D player, so I can think of somewhere she'd fit right in.

[@Tenchigumi]

I'm sure Landon would love to have her as a DM.

[@lracseroom8286]

playing D&D while begging for change on Twitch?

[@ssohpkpck]

@@lracseroom8286 yea you’re weird lol troll lol

[@lracseroom8286]

@@ssohpkpck the k is for kill BTW.

[@revolutionarydragon1123]

Critical role

[@joekirby9482]

Further proof WWE creative has no idea what to do with their talent.

[@AliAsif303]

I'm starting to think that Vince is purposely trying to mess with these people's lives for his own sick kicks, because it's not the first time that he's pulled somebody out of a potential push or a storyline and it makes zero sense whatsoever.

[@matthewziegen]

At the end of the day, it is HIS company and he decides what product will be given. Ember was fantastic and certainly underutilized, but you can’t act like Vince aint been doin this for 30+ years dating all the way back to the Bret Hart days. It’s a business. The Mandy Rose meetings, if true, are the only thing here that is too much. Ember was injury prone so its hard to give her a title run or match when you’re not promised longevity. She may have fumbled with the coaching in all honesty. Thats a good opportunity for anybody, whethere your storyline is the way you want or not. Year in and out, whether someone likes it or not, no one is writing or producing a better show than WWE at its finest, thats just a fact.

[@mitarashi8091]

hell, the whole Shotzi/Ember thing proves they don't even watch the product. 😂

[@saintmyzeri]

It blows my mind with her gimmick, her talent, her desire, and her personality how she didn’t get to be the face of women’s wrestling. I still remember seeing her wrestle for the first time in NXT and being blown away. I really hope that she gets a chance to go to AEW or ROH to prove WWE wrong.

[@charlesbuckley5615]

She can't cut promos and what was he gimmick??Do you watch TV or just look at the screen?

[@YousefTube]

It's the same ones

[@charlesbuckley5615]

@@YousefTube People be so blind to the facts.I watched her NXT run and she never developed her character

[@YousefTube]

I wasn't talkin about her I was saying it's the same company ROH or Vanilla Midgets Wrestling they're both owned by the same money mark with same followers these marks make it sounds like it's two separate entities.

[@tan8067]

Face of women's wrestling is a bit of a stretch, but I agree that she deserved better.

[@theinfamousmrsleep]

I want to see Athena in STARDOM. Imagine the matches she's going to have with Syuri, Thekla, Mayu Iwatami, Giulia, Maika, SLK, and others

[@marcushamner5994]

I can’t wait for this interview. Ember Moon was criminally underused and underrated in WWE. I’m glad she is doing well right now! You both rock CVV!🤓🎙👊🏾👊🏾

[@TornadoTagPodcast]

Preach !

[@KM-lc6hj]

Agreed.

[@marcushamner5994]

AWWWW THANKS GUYS!! CVV even gave me a shoutout at Sqaure Circle Expo courtesy of my friend Erwin who went there! I’ll post it on my channel! I love you guys! 😊👊🏾👊🏾🏅

[@ninjagolloydstudiosx6057]

Facts! I have never been so mad with a superstar being released since Bray Wyatt!

[@IMzKDC23]

I had a feeling before that was based on Chris Hero's experience with WWE, I felt that being in WWE would eventually just drain the Pro Wrestling passion out of these guys and just convince them to be trainers or just retire, and I'm surprised that it actually happened. I thought it would happen with Kairi Hojo, but it's cool that she decided to come back to STARDOM.

[@ThrashAD720]

Kairi left cause she was homesick and her husband was in Japan and she left on good terms.

[@michaelsinger4638]

CM Punk retired for 7 years because being in WWE made him “hate wrestling.” His words not mine.

[@cliffordjackson3]

@@michaelsinger4638 If’s so sad how most of this wrestlers dreams is to go to the wwe their dream job only to realize it’s not what they expected it to be and once they get released or leaves most of the passion they had in professional wrestling before they signed with the wwe is LONG GONE.

[@danisafilthycasual]

Damn I hope something huge comes around for her and reignites her passion for wrestling and brings her much happiness. I think we can all relate to how taxing being unhappy at your workplace can be, especially when it gets to the point of being mentally destructive, so all the best to her.

[@BigKingBB76]

Great talent, hard worker, doesn't complain, worked great with others, I missed this woman...

[@stevenhicks6751]

Man I feel so bad for her she literally has all the tools to be a main eventer in the women's division. Her first character was dope and would have been cool to see as a heel. Her finisher was one of the best. Sucks wwe really dropped the ball with her.

[@rleonardgreen78]

She kept getting injured and can't cut a promo.

[@iCycle086]

@@rleonardgreen78 agreed

[@thetruej7872]

@@rleonardgreen78 that's true

[@kerstonhuston540]

@@rleonardgreen78 Your point? Her promo work was decent and many of the top performers in the women's division have had injuries requiring long breaks, like Asuka and Bayley. It still stands that Ember was one of the better wrestlers on the roster and deserved better treatment (from what she described)

[@rleonardgreen78]

@@kerstonhuston540 she didn't deserve shit. She was one talent on a roster full of talent and she didnt like what WWE wanted to do with her, so she went home and got fired. Now she having garbage matches on the indys in gyms. Ember is like Tegan everytime they tried to push them they got injured and life moved on.

[@VoodooApex]

Yea. I’m on Athena’s side 100. She’s up there as a talent with Asuka, Sasha, Bayley, and Io but they purposely misuse her

[@wingedhussar1453]

Asuka is probly next to get cut soon.her character got stale same with ember moon

[@afrobanditx2972]

Ember Moon was one of the greatest WWE had and they dropped the ball. I will be following Ember and wishing her the best on whatever she does next because she was one of my favorites my second favorite next to Asuka

[@pleutron]

I've only seen less than a handful of Ember's matches. I've seen more of her playing DnD stuff on the UpUpDwnDwn channel. But I'm a fan. I enjoyed this interview and her sharing her emotions.

[@dr.hooknolanevans3466]

Ember is a one of a kind talent. It is such a shame this has happened to her.

[@thelordofpainandsuffering8480]

She truly is. She had some of the best matches in recent WWE history for the ladies. For someone of her calibre breaking down like that due to how they are treated at work is a constant reminder of how a lot are treated in workplaces. WWE needs to be regulated how they employ wrestlers and the hiring and firing practices.

[@Ccubed92]

She always been really attractive to me and also loved her wrestling style very different from the others and got me interested in actually watching the full match.

[@BFFR5150]

As someone who has done hair throughout HS & adult life … she was NOT lying about how tedious ombré dying is 😭❤️

[@jugghead82]

The work that I have seen of Ember Moon is incredible.

[@michaelsinger4638]

The time in NXT when Triple H left sounds super chaotic and random. I’d have probably gone mad if I had to deal with it. She’s also right about the Mandy thing. There’s nothing wrong about having a “sexy” character in wrestling. But not EVERYONE can be that way. You need variety. Also it makes that character less effective when everyone is acting that way.

[@tw475]

I'm sure it was crazy. also agreed about the second part. everyone on the show can't be the same or no one stands out.

[@lracseroom8286]

Doudrop is in WWE. Her Mandy story is sore loser bullshit. She was out of shape during a lot of her main roster run. They told her to get in shape and she's twisting it into "everyone has to look like Mandy Rose!". Yeah, except most of the top women in the company who look NOTHING like Mandy.

[@budgiecat2885]

Like imagine WWF back in the day telling Andre the Giant he needs to cut weight and get ripped lol

[@tw475]

@@lracseroom8286 I don't think Vince said he wants all of them to look like Mandy Rose. nxt was starting to go a more edgy direction. I think what Vince told someone down there was tell them to sexy it up. the person likely relayed that and said something the likes of Vince wants her to dress like Mandy.

[@michaelsinger4638]

Same principle applies. It’s fine to have “sexy characters.” But they cannot ALL be that way. Pick a couple for that role.

[@erichcowgill6068]

Hope she gets signed somewhere soon.

[@darrylwallace2428]

Poor gal. I applaud her for being professional for as long as she could be, and being brave enough to walk away when she finally had enough.

[@farhanfmx]

I'm sad about the fact I got really interested in Ember during her final period in WWE. Before that she was either away for injury or not being used at all. Wish her all the best! She really has a lot of passion for this business. Not WWE but wrestling.

[@Enema27]

Only WWE shirt I've bought in the last 25 years was Athena's first Ember Moon NXT shirt. I was soooo excited when she got signed. Its such a shame that WWE dropped the ball so hard.

[@space8065]

Word the only wwe merch I bought was for her and Naomi.

[@MW-xj4pu]

Ember deserved so much better. Really excited to see what the future holds for her. She deserves to be a world champion

[@Drak2326]

This actually hurt to listen to because I loved her debut and her work ethic, I even went out of my way to watch her UUDD stuff because her WWE debut was just not what it should’ve been. The passion is there in her eyes, but they just refuse to see it!

[@Kingofkings32211]

I hope she finds her way. She’s an amazing talent and her passion shows every time she’s in the ring. Hands down the best wrestler Booker T ever trained.

[@RedShadowOfSaturn]

Really sad what happened to her. I miss seeing her wrestle on TV so much. Hopefully she'll be back somewhere soon, somewhere that appreciates who they have.

[@Jaysson83]

I really like ember moon and what she was standing for😞 Her persona and energy is needed in any locker room that’s for sure!!! I really hope she smashes all her goals in life and surprises many who thought she couldn’t 🙌🙏

[@OmobaKennethAigbegbele]

She is an excellent performer and a talent with all her creativity, athletism and a good role model for young girls...She is a first class talent.WWE broke my heart for dropping her...

[@elena6516]

She's awesome to see her breakdown like that breaks my heart. I hope she gets a shot at AEW or ROH

[@erykahm4307]

I've been following her for years, breaks my heart to see her go thru this. I'm rooting for her, she deserves so much more.

[@ThePrinceVon]

HHH was really the glue that held it all together

[@mrmeowpuss]

I only started watching WWE again in 2020 and Ember Moon really stood out to me. It was surprising enough for them to move her back down to NXT but releasing her was a huge mistake.

[@brandonthompson5796]

I cant believe how stunning Athena looks in so many different color schemes. That purple eye shadow is so badass, I miss seeing her wrestle in NXT

[@robertmac8493]

Damn.. I always wondered what happened with Athena, but after watching this, damn near cried for this woman, that sucks at least she's happy now

[@TheOne_KingDavid]

Man I love Ember Moon and her passion for the sport and for the team. Miss her on TV and hope she comes to AEW too but if not I already hear she's doing great things else where and for that's all that's important. 🙏👍💯

[@davecrawley4634]

He is so good at letting the guest talk whilst clearly listening and prompting when needed.

[@Carlos1234jfk]

Always loved Ember Moon, she has one of my favorite finishers too.

[@CVVCLIPS]

This is a clip from our full interview that you can listen to on my podcast "INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet" and watch on my main channel here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqTHnIekZqpnZpI

[@mgtwrestling123]

it sounds she really did not have a good experience on her way out of the company

[@mgtwrestling123]

@MR - Feamoo can I ask u a non wrestling related question?

[@f.4301]

Ember Moon should gimmick change, an 80’s shock rock look would be cool. She resembles Ronnie James Dio. She could def recreate her herself. Wild hair and edgy clothes. That’s money. $$ I got ideas all day. The rest aren’t free tho :) Get at me. :D

[@supersaturn956]

Great interview, interviewer actively listened and was patient and open minded, kudos!

[@briansf7012]

Ember is great. Saw a dark match on KZbin against Asuka. Before I saw her NXT . And she blew me away. Just want to wish her all the best and hope she ends up in a place that knows how to utilize her abilities.

[@Geoffchuggachugchugg167]

Oh man when she says “what did I do wrong?” Really pulled in the heart strings. Wish they would fix their shit.

[@mfranzusan3014]

It's the same story we've been hearing for years. Talent relations and creative inadvertently burying their own stars because even though there's all these hours of TV to fill, and too much talent to book, they just can't be honest with everyone they're dealing with. And even if creative works with you to make a believable storyline, Vince just turns around and says "no." Someone else gets a push out of nowhere. Someone else gets a spot on the main roster and you're left flailing in the wind. Creative lies to talent. Creative looks after their own interests. Creative is thankless and as we've heard in this interview, they're nameless as well, so why should they care if the talent they're responsible writing for gets over or not? Vince is just going to Veto whatever he wants for a goofier angle. Talent like Ember Moon should have seen how inefficient and ineffective things were after they took away her tag partner after an initial push, and they even invested in merch! They strung her along to fill spots for weeks. They turned her into a jobber. And that shows you how they disrespect the people that make them money. She wasn't just their talent, she was a lifelong fan of the business. She was agreeable to everything they asked of her. For better or worse, she went in every direction they asked of her. Then she realized they were screwing her over. It took a couple of months too long, but she got out. Good for her.

[@ivernnpangchungpng4622]

I wasn't a fan but hearing this made me cried when she mentioned about taking off from tv

[@andykassie9171]

She's an awesome, beautiful, amazing, dedicated and hard working superstar. They did her wrong and treated her unfair.

[@gregoneal8880]

I love ember moon she has the best finisher in the business barnone

[@vonVile]

Athena should definitely sign with Impact. It's the environment in wrestling she's looking for. She'll get pushed right.

[@MrKlw19]

Stop it,she needs to be on tv

[@YousefTube]

you wanna be on TV become a celebrity

[@whatseatontim918]

I'm still PO'd about her release; she was my absolute favorite on NXT & the main roster. She deserved so much better; should have been Raw & Smackdown women's champion at least 5 times each and NXT Women's Champion 5 times as well or even more than that! I always enjoyed seeing her compete; always was so excited when her music hit. Wish I had seen her wrestle live in person but no thanks to WWE, that won't happen now. Thanks for entertaining me all those years; much love! 🙏❤ #EmberMoon

[@quwandathornton]

The fact you can tell she truly loved her job by how well she put all of her energy into the ring, her entrances, her persona, taunts, and characteristics. She was WELL animated because she wanted to cater to children more than men, just like Bayley did. I loved that about them. I'm sad I won't get to see her geeky side anymore, you can tell she was heavily influenced by Anime/Gaming/Comics etc. and to see a black girl doing something other than the baddie stereotype, and something more DARKER and Metal? A breath of fresh air. They should have had her with Naomi, Asuka, and Banks.

[@alexandrenamor8463]

I swear it's just another example of why Triple H should rule the company after Vince. Everything went worse for her once he was gone. It must be so frustrating to be so pationate but forgotten by bad WWE creatives. Glad she's doing great now.

[@YousefTube]

No more Triple H you live in the Nick Khan era who wants to sell WWE to NBC Universal and getting it out of professional wrestling and out of the carnival

[@slayyy9758]

i’m so happy he’s running the company now!

[@adamaizenberg756]

This is gonna be a great interview you already get the feeling with this one clip right here. I miss Ember in the WWE and I think they should have worked with her way more than what they did do.

[@richardlovelace8134]

Coming from her I believe every word. People always say how much their creative sucks.

[@RubyRenegade]

I adore her and what she's done I still remember being LIVID after I'd seen her on nxt shortly after returning and instantly knew this was going to happen and I was speechless she was as over as asuka on main roster for a spell if anyone remembers that how I do

[@kam8460]

Excellent interview. I have to say Ember/Shotzi was my favorite part of Ember's WWE run. I had so much hype for them. They were a star act. Absolutely brutal what has happened with both of them after the split, but so very WWE.

[@Gcool243]

Watching her get emotional was hard because you can tell just how much she cares

[@davidstevens9245]

Them last 4 minutes pretty much sums up how I have been feeling about wrestling for a long time I just didn't know how to put it into words Ive been trying to tell wwe KZbin videos this but you've just helped me Amber put it in the best way possible so I thank you for that

[@funkyroadrunner2265]

Love the interview. I came in with no real thoughts on Ember Moon one way or another. But seeing the person. Seeing Athena. I left out having more understanding of who she is and why she left. I appreciate Athena the individual because if this clip. I wish her nothing but the best and it’s nice to see she chose her instead of buying their BS.

[@FigWidIt]

Really enjoyed her surprise return to NXT and her tag team with Shotzi looked like she was having more fun than she ever had on the main roster. They should have kept them together longer.

[@HCIbn]

When I heard she went back to NXT it was only a matter of time before they let her go.

[@WhatwouldRoddyPiperdo]

Embers one of those people I've kept an eye on even though I don't watch the actual product I've settled for still liking everything about wrestling apart from actually watching modern wrestling so got to know the person on up up down down & other things. Wish her the best in whatever she does look forward to this interview will be right in it when it drops, her gimmick caught my attention a lapsed fan who doesn't even watch haha

[@steezy7460]

She was GREAT, a breath of fresh air

[@arthure.andrews8978]

Thank u for this interview

[@hardcoreocealot]

Ember has a fire in her and I love it.

[@monkeytime9851]

I wish WWE would let more of the talent just do their thing. Ember is a MUCH better talent than they ever let her show.

[@TITO1995100]

not gonna happen they want to be the driver of the talent and control them so it aint happening

[@rko72k]

I can't wait for this interview

[@intelligentfool09]

She’s a phenomenal talent! It’s a shame how that places literally destroyed a lifelong passion and turned it literally into a prop!

[@Prophet6000]

Man I really hope she finds happiness. She did put the work in.

[@schneideriwnl]

Imagine you give everything for the Company you work for and they do you dirty like this. I actually feel sorry for Athena. She deserved way more cause she is by far one of the most talented Womens Wrestlers out there. I hope to see her in RoH or in AEW and see her in Owen Hart Womens Tournament.

[@lracseroom8286]

Imagine they offer you a job teaching because you are aging, injury prone, out of shape and are no good on the mic and your response is to take your ball, go home and then back talk them because you're an entitled child in an adult's body? Keep simping her though.

[@budgiecat2885]

@@lracseroom8286 Youre an obese narcissist incel trying to tell someone who has empathy that he is a simp. Thats sad dude. Try to lose some weight.

[@schneideriwnl]

@@BrokenEnglis i've never said that but okay

[@immortalnightbody]

This is why you don't work so hard for ANY company. Meritocracy isn't real. All for-profit businesses operate like this.

[@YousefTube]

It's the same ones

[@gregorois9038]

Props to her for even the little things like how much time she puts into her hair and look. Really shows how much work goes into these matches that don't feel like big matches. Especially when it seems like a small scale match for WWE, but can be such a big match for her trying to get something started when there's little to no help behind the curtain.

[@roberthanson6156]

Seems like that’s every released superstars #1 problem with WWE is creative. They can’t push everyone and they only seem to be pushing the same 5 or 10 superstars all the time

[@franciswitcherplays3730]

This is so messed up to hear what she's been through, and I don't even wanna imagine that the other women in the WWE has to deal the same thing all the time. I really don't wanna be that guy but those who are still defending WWE and their practices sickens me.

[@budgiecat2885]

Its really amazing how many companies these day (not just WWE) arent self aware of the dumbass mistakes they make. Sony, WWE, Disney, Warner Bros, Ubisoft, EA, NETFLIX, the list goes on. I swear some of them feel like they are hell bent on business suicide

[@cliffordjackson3]

@@budgiecat2885 Most of those companies you named are the same like wwe a nightmare to work at and only cares about MONEY and nothing else.

[@ibn1989]

@@budgiecat2885 I wouldn't call those mistakes. That shit is deliberate.

[@MrAzizulHakimin]

Sure I imagine all women like 4hw feel horrible right now.

[@budgiecat2885]

@@cliffordjackson3 But then that makes it even worse; why would they deliberatly sabotage themselves into possible financial ruin? That goes against the whole point of running a business lol