What exactly does “Almost a Superhero” really mean?
The phrase has been in the spotlight on WWE RAW during Nikki A.S.H.‘s rapid rise to stardom, and in an interview with Graham GSM Matthews of Bleacher Report, the reigning RAW Women’s Champion elaborated on the message she wants to convey with it.
“For me, with Nikki A.S.H., the way I view it is that I have the same moral compass, the same drive, the same persistence as a superhero, but I don’t have super serum or a magical ring or something like the Iron Man suit,” said A.S.H. “The idea is that you put on the cape and the mask and you feel like you can try anything, and if you fall down, it’s OK because you can pick yourself back up.”
As WWE’s resident caped crusader, A.S.H. is often compared to The Hurricane, a legendary character from the Ruthless Aggression Era. As it turns out, A.S.H. has been able to directly learn from the man behind the mask, Shane Helms, who currently works as a producer for the company.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be able to pick the brain of The Hurricane,” said A.S.H. “Shane Helms has been absolutely amazing. He’s been so supportive and so helpful and giving me some great advice. When I first debuted the character and when I won the RAW Women’s Championship, I came through Gorilla [Position] and one of the first people I saw was Hurricane. I’ve been lucky enough to get some great advice off him, and I’m grateful to be able to pick his brain.”
A.S.H. currently reigns supreme on the red brand, but her journey to the stop hasn’t been an easy one. Still, as early as her time in NXT, it was easy to see the potential A.S.H., then known as Nikki Cross, had as a young competitor. In the interview, A.S.H. looked back on her run on the black-and-gold brand and expressed her excitement for her shared success with fellow NXT success story Bianca Belair.
“I love looking back on the last five years, and I was incredibly fortunate to be involved in these awesome stories in NXT,” said A.S.H. “The Last Woman Standing match with Asuka is the match I’m most proud of in my career, so I’m so fortunate to be a part of what I was a part of in NXT. It’s been incredible for both [me and Bianca], and I’m so over the moon for Bianca as SmackDown Women’s Champion.
“I think everything happens for a reason, so when I look back at the last five-and-a-half years, everything has prepared me for this moment. I’m ready to represent the company in this way, and I’m honored and privileged to hold this RAW Women’s Championship.”
RELATED: Nikki A.S.H. Explains How Her Feud With Charlotte Flair And Rhea Ripley Evolved Naturally
