Thunder Rosa is finally back, and she discusses making her return.
Former AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa had been out of action since August 2022, but she returned on the December 16 episode of AEW Collision. There, she saved Abadon from Julia Hart and Skye Blue.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Thunder Rosa shared her thoughts on her return. (h/t Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription)
“500 days to be away from the ring,” Thunder Rosa said. “I never really left. I was always on people’s minds. I was always trending on Twitter. I was always here (on Busted Open) surrounded by people that helped me, by people that love me like [Mark Henry], my friends, my family, my community. I never really left. I was on Busted Open talking about the women’s division. I was on commentary.
“I’ve been working commentary since February. I’ve been working tirelessly representing the women’s division as much as I could in Mexico and America talking to athletes. I’ve been doing a lot that is not necessarily being in the ring. That was my next step, to come back in the ring. It was very important. It was important to represent my people and show that it’s okay to have setbacks and to fight back and get back in there.
Thunder Rosa On Training Ahead Of Her Return
Thunder Rosa also commented on training during her road to recovery. She noted that it was difficult to come back because her back injury presented numerous challenges.
“I’ve been training since August in the ring, little by little,” Rosa said. “It’s a progression. You can see the change in my body and my mobility. It was difficult to come back because I was scared, I’m not going to lie, I was scared because you’re coming from a back injury that didn’t allow you to jump and run, and it was some things you had to re-learn.”
Thunder Rosa Was Nervous About Her Return
Thunder Rosa then opened up about how she felt nervous ahead of her return. She described how she had been gone so long, and the women’s division had changed so much.
“I was a little worried about botching that jump. I was a little nervous because it’s been 500 days and so much has happened during that time. There has been so much change in the women’s division. The new people, the new stars have risen. I was in the background for a long time. It was hard, in the beginning, to take that step. I learned it was important to take that role and learn about everyone in the ring, so when it became my moment, people were going to know when I was coming back. People kept asking, ‘When are you coming back?’ I said, ‘Everyone is going to know when I come back.’
“Even though I looked different and came in without face paint and a full set of hair. It took me 500 days to recuperate, to find myself as a person, to physically, mentally, and spiritually heal. To face the fears of rejection. That people may reject me or boo me. Even though I was afraid and had doubts, I never doubted myself that I still have it, and I stopped listening to people who don’t like me and don’t want me to be successful.”
Rosa will return to the ring on the December 23 episode of AEW Collision. More information is available here.
WrestleZone will have coverage of AEW Collision as it airs on December 23.
