Xia Zhao, formerly known as Xia Li in WWE, is excited about having more freedom now.
Zhao spent several years in NXT, and she joined the main roster in 2021. However, she was not consistently featured throughout her time on SmackDown or RAW. The company released her in a wave of cuts in April 2024.
Speaking on Busted Open, Xia Zhao was asked to comment on how things have been since she left WWE. (H/t Andrew Thompson of POST Wrestling for the transcription)
“Freedom. Recovery. Beat up. Restart… I feel great,” she said. “I feel fantastic (in) every way.”
Zhao went on to comment on how she nearly had an MMA fight while she was with WWE, but she had to cancel when the company found out.
Xia Li On Her Main Roster Run
Zhao was then asked to comment on the frustration of never consistently gaining momentum on the WWE main roster. She noted that there was only so much that she could do. She stated that she would now be able to show people more.
“You know, I think it’s a lot like that happen,” she said. “The only thing I can do (is) do everything I can do anyway. Train harder, bring ideas, everything. So, be on TV, I can’t control. They pick who gonna be the next so, I don’t feel any bad… Because I feel I give them all I can so I feel fine for me… Of course, I wish I could get more opportunity. That’s every talent there want to be that. But, we can’t help that, you know? I wish I can do more, I can show people more. But now, I’m free, I can show more. I can show whatever I want.”
Zhao is set for a kickboxing fight on August 3rd, and she has also been announced for the Queen of the Indies event.
