VertVixen is grateful for Dustin Rhodes.
In 2020, in-ring veteran Dustin Rhodes opened up his own pro wrestling training school called the Rhodes Wrestling Academy. Fast forward to 2024, the franchise has expanded now include a promotion called the Rhodes Wrestling Association, with its debut show, titled Texas Fall Fury, taking place on November 21. There, “Player One” VertVixen cemented herself as the inaugural RWA Women’s Champion with a victory over Jael and Sophia Rose.
“This is my second time being an inaugural women’s champion,” Vixen told WrestleZone‘s Ella Jay. “And to say that I’m grateful is just the basis of it, but in all honesty, one of my goals in this business was to make history and was to really build it up for everybody who comes after me and be grateful for the ones that came before me as well. But being able to be the inaugural women’s champion for Rhodes Wrestling Association under Dustin Rhodes, let’s talk about history. That is one of the greatest honors that could ever be bestowed on me. So thank you Dustin.
“I am extremely grateful for this, but at the end of the day, everybody knew it was going to be VertVixen that was going to be the inaugural champion,” Vixen added.
Dustin Rhodes Is Now Like A ‘Wrestling Dad’
Vixen’s connection to Dustin Rhodes extends back to her early days as an extra for All Elite Wrestling, where Rhodes resides as a coach and an in-ring performer. After opening the Rhodes Wrestling Academy in Austin, Texas, Rhodes later invited Vixen to train with him. From there, Rhodes naturally emerged as a “wrestling dad” to the rising star as well.
“Dustin has taught me a lot professionally,” Vixen said. “Honestly, working back with him with the training stuff, there was a lot of the ‘Here’s the right ways to work for TV. Here’s the right ways to work with the camera.’ Simple things like character and entrance stuff, those kinds of things that are just really important that all of us should have and know.”
According to Vixen, Rhodes’ continued guidance extends well beyond the ring. In fact, he has helped her overcome some personal fears.
“He also helped me break some fears with some things that I was working through,” Vixen said. “And to be completely honest, him and his wife have always just been there for me when it’s come to like, ‘Hey, I need advice on this and I need help with this, and what do I do with this situation?’ I’ve always been able to call him and his wife up and they’ve always been very, extremely helpful for that.”
Watch our full interview with VertVixen:
