Shayna Baszler Addresses Criticism Of Her WWE Main Roster Run

Shayna Baszler has spoken about her run on the WWE main roster, saying it's important she shows she can cover the 'wide range' of everything required at the top level of professional wrestling. 

Baszler, during her run in NXT, established herself as one of the divisions' most legitimate talents, running through the rest of the division before moving up to the main roster at the start of 2020. 

Since losing to Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 36, however, Baszler has mainly featured in a tag-team alongside Nia Jax and, most recently, been involved in a rivalry with the spooky Alexa Bliss.

The use of Baszler in this role has led to criticism of her run on the main roster, but the former MMA star herself believes it's essential she learns how to do everything required of a WWE main roster star.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Baszler said: “It’s always been a constant juggling act, and that’s not just on Raw. That’s also [been the case in] my time in NXT and the indies. I come from a very old-school professional wrestling tradition. Josh Barnett and Billy Robinson were my main coaches, and they’re really, really old-school.

“I need to show that I can be counted on to nail whatever it is I’m being asked to do. It’s easy to be a badass tyrant like I was in NXT. I can totally fit that role. After establishing myself as that, it’s important to show I can cover a wide range of what professional wrestling is today.

“It’s like music. Some people like country, some like heavy metal. Not everything is for everyone, so I understand why some people roll their eyes when I do comedy. But I’m established as what I am. All it takes is one sentence from a promo delivered properly. I am a legitimate badass; that’s always there for me. I’m glad I can be on Raw and show a wider range.

"I’m putting more tools in my toolbox. I worked for years to build this legitimacy. I walk through the curtain, and you know I can ruin someone. I won’t let people forget that."