Dudrop: “So I got COVID. But I had it before, a year before, and it didn’t really bother me. It looked like a cold. So, I thought it would be the same and I couldn’t be more wrong. It really broke me. For two weeks I lay in bed with a temperature and was not even sure what was real and what was a dream. But the long-term effects were worse. I had bouts of fainting or dizziness whenever I exerted myself. These symptoms made them look at my Heart and they did a lot of tests. And, fortunately, they all came back clean. But it’s been a really difficult four months because it occurred to me that what they’re worried about might make it impossible for me to come back.”

Question: So they were worried about a heart problem?

Dudrop: “Yes, they were worried that COVID would damage my heart and if that was the case, I might not have returned.”

Q: You’ve gone from Piper to Piper’s whisper to Eve-Marie to Dudrop. Have you taken Doudrop or are you looking for something new after so many breaks?

Dudrop: “When Dudrop was given to me, it really took me a minute to figure out who she was meant to be, and I felt like I was just starting to get into the groove with her. I’m big JoJo Siwa. And I thought, “I can do it.” Then they said, “Hey, I need you to be a heel.” And I thought, “What?” So it was quite difficult to change this character. During my absence, I did not understand that it often happens that when athletes get injured, they go crazy because you are sitting at home and you have no way out. So it really had a psychological effect on me and made me go into therapy and delve into my past to help me realize some things. It’s been an interesting few months and I’m looking forward to taking my real life experience and making it part of my storyline. And I hope it raises awareness for a lot of people because I think a lot of people go through this.”

Q: When you talk to Triple H or the creatives, how do you tell them that you want to make these changes to your character?

Dudrop: “It was actually really nerve-wracking because I had never done anything creative before. I did matches, but nothing like really big characters. So it was really nerve-wracking because it came from real life experience and because that’s what I’m passionate about. I just didn’t want to be turned down when I approached them. They called me and said, “Hey, do you have any ideas?” And I thought, “Well, this is happening in my real life, and I think it would be great to turn it into a storyline.” And fortunately, they were so receptive, and they really, really enjoyed it. So it’s very interesting.”

Q: What was it like when you moved from NXT UK to the main roster?

Dudrop: “It was crazy because no one has gone directly from NXT UK to the Main Roster yet. So, I literally plunged into the unknown. Even things like moving were difficult because when you move from NXT UK to NXT there are a lot of people who have gone through the same process so they can advise and help you with what you need to do . But I moved from NXT UK to the main roster and not everyone is based in Florida and they have never been in my place. So, I felt like I was going into this alone. It was a pandemic, so my husband couldn’t come with me, and I lived alone in Florida for six months, literally on the go. It was a lot, but it was cool. It was cool to feel like a little pioneer.

Q: What are your thoughts on the closure of NXT UK and the outlook for NXT Europe?

Dudrop: “NXT UK will always be a huge part of my heart and I feel like this show was so amazing. He has produced so many great matches and I know everyone put their heart and soul into it. I know it will be the same with NXT Europe. I’m looking forward to getting more people involved and getting more attention on it. I hope I can visit some people and even arrange some matches.”