The former Ember Moon knew she wasn’t continuing her WWE career well before her contract was up.
Athena [FKA Ember Moon] recently appeared on Insight with Chris Van Vliet and discussed her departure from WWE, which seemed to be a decision she made well in advance of her deal coming to an end.
“So I knew that I wasn’t going to re-sign so I knew that my release was coming,” Athena explained. “My contract was up in April, and they had offered me a ton of money to stay at one time. It was 5 times what I was making at that time, this was life-changing. Sometimes money can’t buy you happiness, and I know that sounds stupid to some people. I couldn’t believe what they were offering me. I was so unhappy, but some things you don’t do for money, you do for love. And this wasn’t fun for me, it was like a 9 to 5 job. For what we do every day, we risk our lives and no day is the same, so why do we feel this way?”
Knowing she wasn’t going to re-sign with the company, Athena believes that decision led to her ultimately being released from the company in November 2021.
“They ended up releasing me 3 days later, which was kind of a swerve. I got a call from creative the same day, the same hour. As I am texting creative, I saw my phone and I’m like ‘I think I am getting fired.’ So I am playing Far Cry 6, trying to sneak into the mansion and texting the writers. I get a call and I’m like ‘Here it is!’”
Athena also spoke about wrestling on the indies after WWE and it being fun, noting how she’s getting to play a bad guy in the ring, but there’s a level of respect from the fans she experiences.
“Yeah it’s great to create without a filter. I am getting to do that and also get the support of backstage crew, the companies and the fans. I am getting support in front of the people that I thrive in front of. Athena was the villain, but it’s not hard to be the bad guy again. But I feel like the indie fans are more appreciative and understanding when they see you go through 20 chairs. I do stuff because I know it’s safe, but I feel like because I had another main event the next night, people underestimate me. But it’s fun and I think sometimes the chaos of making money and fighting for a spotlight, which you shouldn’t have to do, but wrestling should be fun for all of the parties involved.”
Related: Ember Moon Shares Frustrations With WWE Creative, Being Told To Dress Sexy During Creative Meeting
