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COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT: DANIELLE 'VANESSA BORNE' KAMELA DISCUSSES HER WWE JOURNEY, BEING CALLED UP TO MAIN ROSTER BUT NEVER DEBUTING, HER RELEASE, THINGS WWE COULD DO TO IMPROVE, HER FUTURE AND MORE

On Saturday 6/12, Danielle Kamela aka Vanessa Borne during her time with WWE NXT, sat down for her first-post WWE interview with PWInsider.com.  For the first time, here is the complete transcript of that 75-minute discussion.

Mike Johnson: It is Saturday, June 12th, 2021, and in some alternate universe somewhere you probably watched Vanessa Borne kicking somebody in the face on SmackDown. However, WWE, despite making the decision to call her up to the main roster, it feels like maybe a year or 18 months ago never actually pulled the trigger; and just a few weeks ago, unfortunately, the woman who performed as Vanessa Borne for the WWE NXT brand, Danielle Kamela, was released from the company.  We are very happy to have her sitting down with us to talk about her WWE journey and her WWE exit and what's going to be in her future both immediately and perhaps long-term plans in professional wrestling. This is our first interview since leaving WWE, and we appreciate her sitting down with us. So, I guess the first thing to say is, good morning. How are you? And what have you been up to while waiting for the dust to settle after the WWE's announcement?

Danielle Kamela: Good morning. Thank you for having me. I've just been trying to enjoy every day; stay in the gym, which is still one of my top priorities; and continue pursuing the dream.

Mike Johnson: So, I want to start at the end and I guess we'll bounce backwards because after you were released, you released this Instagram video, basically calling out fans who were mean; thanking fans who were gracious; taking a little jab at the zombies, the WrestleMania backlash pay-per-view; and making it clear like, I've been sitting around for 18 months and no one has done anything with me. I watched it, and I felt I saw more of your personality as opposed to what you could do in terms of physicality in the ring in that 30 second, one minute Instagram video, then we had ever seen you have the opportunity to do on WWE programming.  So, I wanted to start with that Instagram video, which I'm going to embed above this interview, and ask you, what was the crux of it? How long did it take you to come up with it? Because I thought it was very clever and very honest and very smart and very endearing, if I'm going to be honest. What was the reaction once you put it out in terms of like, did you feel a weight off your shoulders? Did you get any response from anybody in the company? Just bring us through like that moment where you decide you're going to hit record, you decide what you're going to talk about, and then you decide, "Yep, done. That's what I wanted to say," and you send that out into the internet world.

Danielle Kamela: Right. Well, after I got the news that I was being released, I took an hour or two just to digest that information, obviously had a variety of different emotions. I'm getting all of tweets from fans and different people, people wanting me to confirm it, people texting me. So I just wanted something that was fun and light that I could put out there that confirmed that I was released and thank the fans. I thought maybe I could put out some long, sappy statement, but that's just not me. It wasn't Vanessa Borne and it's not Danielle Kamela.   So, I just wanted to have fun with it. I just sat down, recorded it, and I was like, "Okay, I'm just going to put this out there." Some people might take it the wrong way, but if you followed Vanessa Borne, you would know on Twitter, she tends to jab at people and poke back at people. So, I just sent the tweet, and that was that. I guess the reactions from people, some people did take it the wrong way. They thought that I was being bitter or angry, but that wasn't it at all. It was very light, and it was in good humor.

Mike Johnson: Based on the initial Instagram post or the tweet, it didn't seem like you were shocked that they had made the decision to release you. You were in this weird vortex where you weren't part of an NXT anymore. You were supposed to be going to the SmackDown brand, we'd heard. At one point we had heard it was going to be you, Santana Garrett, and Chelsea Green potentially as a group. You can comment on that if you want, but what's it like when... It's almost like you were trapped on a Hollywood set. Hurry up and wait, that's always the joke in Hollywood. You get to the set, and now you wait until the right moment, the right lighting, the right segment is set. You never got to the end of that tunnel. You were in the waiting position waiting to go, and it never happened. Emotionally, mentally, what's that like to be told, "All right. We're going to do this with you," and then it never happens, and you're waiting for like, "Okay, now we're going to tap you on the shoulder and tell you it's time"...but it doesn't happen, and now it's longer and longer and longer. Were you surprised when you got the call; and what's that experience like where you're told you've gotten to the point where you've earned your goal, which is to get to the main roster and get on television, but it never actually happens?

Danielle Kamela: Mike, there is so much I could say about this because it really has been... I mean, it was 18 months, which is insane. Going back to what I said in the video, poking fun at not working for 18 months, for me, if you're not seen on TV, there's no place for you; and they're making budget cuts. I mean, of course, I thought, "All right, this might be my time to go because it's easy to just nix someone who's not involved in anything." So, that's why I obviously wasn't too shocked when it came to that. But as far as my journey over the past year, it's just been a crazy roller coaster of up and down emotions.

I mean, I guess I could start from when I did get called up, which was, I think it was mid February of 2020; and I got the news. Triple H told me that I was going to be called up, and that was during the time I think that Heyman was the executive director. So, it was my understanding that he was the one who brought me up to the main roster. And, honestly, when I was told this news, I didn't believe it. I had to ask, "Are you sure? Is this 100%," because I hadn't really been doing too much in NXT at that time either, but getting that news after working so hard at the Performance Center, every one at the Performance Center works their ass off. They all do. So, when you are told that information, it's like, "Wow, all my hard work has paid off." So, I was really excited. Especially to hear that Paul Heyman brought me up because I just look up to him so much when it comes to his storytelling, his mic work; and he's someone I would want to be like. So, that was definitely encouraging.

I had been in and out with Raw and SmackDown a few times, and then I think it was around March my lease was up in Orlando. So, I moved back to Arizona, and that's right when COVID hit. They stopped bringing me into TVs. They were changing everything because that's when they were filming at the Performance Center. So, it was a whole different thing, and everyone had to navigate through that WWE, everyone else in their jobs and careers. Yeah. Then I sat home for, I want to say six months. So, that was tough as well.  I think it was April, May, June, July, August until finally when COVID was calming down, they did bring me back in with Chelsea and Santana; and they told us that we were going to be in a trio, which I was super excited about because anytime you're working with other people that closely, it's fun to be able to bounce ideas off of one another. Everyone thinks differently, and so we were excited about that. Then we also got our main rock roster contracts at that time, which was also another super exciting thing because it's something we all work so hard at. So, that was that.

Let's see. This is so much information because it's been a lot. It's been a long time. Let's see. Okay. So, we ended up getting our main roster contracts and we're told we are going to be in a trio, but that just never worked out. That idea got scratched, and I feel like that happens a lot. A lot of ideas with different people, they just end up getting scratched. So, we were bummed, but that's fine.

Then after that, I was called in. Then they had a pitch for me, and they had told me that I was going to be a part of Retribution.  So, I got that news, and obviously I was excited for the potential to finally be on TV for something. But I also had a lot of questions. I wanted to know what the group was all about, how I fit into this group. I had some concerns with it as well, just because during this time there was a lot of stuff going on in our country when it comes to violence. We're watching all of this stuff unfold on TV, and it's not pretty things to see. So, I just wanted to know if this group was mimicking all of that. That was going on, but I just had all of these questions about it and I did express some of those concerns; but ultimately, I want to do whatever I'm told, of course. That is my job. So, I went home that week, was getting ready to potentially be a part of this group, trying to figure out, okay, how can I add? How can I help? How can I make this group better? Within that week, I got a call from [Mark] Carrano that said, "Well, we are not going to have you be a part of Retribution anymore, and we are going to pull your contract since you're not a part of Retribution or you're not doing this anymore. You're getting sent back to an NXT."

Mike Johnson: You must not have been happy to hear that because that means less money, and the opportunity that you were expecting that you had earned was now no longer there.

Danielle Kamela: That's one time. I am not shocked a lot, but that was one time it felt like I got kicked in the gut. I was so sad to hear that because I did work so hard, and I would never want them to think that I don't think an idea is good or that I don't want to participate or help. I would do anything, and I've done everything up to that point I guess. I just felt really bad. I know after I got off that phone call, I sent him a text; and I was like, "Hey, I'm so sorry if I came across not wanting to be a part of this or anything like that. That is not my intention. I am here to work, and I'm here to work for you. I'm here to work for Vince. I'm here to work for everyone. I just want you to know that was not my intention, and I'm willing to do whatever you guys want."  He just said, "Well this is just where we're at. Thanks for the message." So, I was so sad. I was really sad, and it took... I still even like think back and like kick myself for that instinct like, "You should've just sat there and nodded your head and been happy." And I was happy, but I might've just given the wrong impression. So, lesson learned.

Mike Johnson: They probably just wanted you to say, "Okay, whatever you want. I'm ready to run." It sounds like you just wanted to have a better understanding of, what's the concept for this? What are we playing off, and how am I supposed to achieve this? More than it sounds... It sounds, for me, based on your recollection, it sounds more like you were looking for deeper detail as opposed to, "No, I'm against this idea."

Danielle Kamela: Right. That's exactly what I wanted, because the wheels are turning in my head when I hear that information of like, "Okay, how do I fit in? Well, what is this group?" And I'm trying to think all these things, and it might've came out wrong, the way I said it. Sometimes I tend to be blunt. That's just me. So, I don't know if that's what came across as well with me, I don't know, asking questions or having some concerns. Yeah. That's just what happened. And I don't know. Maybe that isn't even the reason. Maybe it was something totally different, and it just happened to fall in line with when that all went down. But I put those two and two together. So, I'm not... Yeah.

Mike Johnson: So, now you're back in Arizona; but NXT talents, contractually, usually have to be in Florida. So, how is that reconciled for you? Do they ask you to go back to Orlando? Do they say, "No, it's okay. We'll just bring you to TV"? I said earlier, you were in this weird vortex. Now you're not even geographically close to the Performance Center. Is there ever any discussion of how this is all going to work out?

Danielle Kamela: Right. And that was another thought that I had that presented another problem for me, and I was like, "Shoot. I just moved myself all the way across country in March. Now, if I'm going back to NXT, what does that mean for me? Am I going to have to move all the way back to Orlando?" So, after I got the news, I was back in NXT and had time to digest that, I was happy. I was just so happy to still have a job there, because especially during these times. Wow. How could I not be grateful to have something when there's people everywhere that didn't have a job or weren't getting paid, all of these other things.   So, I had spoken to Kanyon [Cemen], I think it was a few weeks after that; and he was like, "Hey, just letting you know the deal, what's going on." So, I spoke with him and said, "I'm still in the game. I still want to do this. So, if I need to move back to Florida, I'm definitely willing to consider that and try to make that work." So, we had chatted, and he said, "Okay. Well, let's get you back in the Performance Center," because I hadn't been in a ring at this point for, I don't know, nine to 10 months. "So, let's at least try to get you in the ring so you could get back in the swing of things."

So, I stayed in Arizona, and then I eventually went to the Performance Center for two weeks to train, which I felt like was great because during my time off from being in the ring, I was just in the gym constantly because I wanted to present the best package, aesthetically and strength wise. So, I was in the best shape ever when I came back to the PC and felt I was flying in the ring, didn't feel like I had missed a beat. But during the second week that I was there and I was supposed to train for my second week, I ended up getting COVID.

Mike Johnson: Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.

Danielle Kamela: So, I was all on this high back in the ring for a week, feeling good, just happy to be doing something again; and then I ended up getting down with COVID. So, I had to have someone drive me all the way from Orlando, basically, to Texas. That was a whole 'nother debacle; but that's, I guess, where I left off with the PC stuff.

Mike Johnson: Was that the last time you were there at the PC?

Danielle Kamela: Yes. So, that was the last time I was at the PC, and I think that rolled right into the holidays. I know when I spoken to Kanyon, we are going to speak after the holidays like, "Okay, you're going to train, and then we'll let the holidays go by and then figure things out." So, this year rolled around, and I hadn't really heard anything. I was just like waiting and waiting and waiting. Then I was like, "Okay, I need to figure this out. Am I going to move back to Florida? What's the deal?"

So, I ended up finally just texting Triple H because I didn't know what else to do at this point. I hadn't spoken to anyone. No one had spoken to me. So, I just texted him and asked him like, "Hey, I'm ready to work. I have ideas. How can I be utilized," something along those lines. So, he ended up connecting me with the writer in NXT. So, I had a conversation with him, and we were just going back and forth with ideas of how to potentially get me involved back with the programming. And that was-

Mike Johnson: Was there ever a concrete plan of, "Okay, we're going to do this," or maybe a different character or a different version of Vanessa Borne? How close in your mind was it to, "All right. Done deal. I'm going back"?

Danielle Kamela: We had ideas that the writer liked. We had ideas that would work; but when you have all of these other characters and other storylines going on, it's like a giant puzzle. Right? So, you're just trying to figure out, how can you fit here, and how can you fit there? So, we had all these ideas that potentially would have worked and that we had liked, but we were never able to come up with something that was like, "Okay, this is it. We want this. Let's go." So they were all good ones which would have worked, but we never came to a final plan or anything like that. So, we were just still trying to figure it out.  Then I think the last message I had sent over I didn't get a reply from, and then it was a week later I got the call that I was being released. So, I was like, "Man, that's such a bummer," just because I just really know I could bring a lot when it comes to character work, when it comes to charisma, even in ring work, I've only shown a very small percentage of what I can do in ring. So, I'm just bummed that I didn't get to bring that to the fans, to the WWE universe, and to our programming and to do that type of storytelling.

Interview continues on Page 2.

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