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Mike Johnson: When you look back on the WWE experience, especially that last 18 months, if they came to you and gave you the exit interview and said, "What could we have done better?" Is there anything that they could have done that you look back on and say, "I wish they had just handled this better, or I wish this communication had been better"? Is there anything, now that you're on the outside looking in and you look back, you go, "That's not how it should have been handled"? Obviously, a lot of this was bad timing, but is there anything that you feel they could have done better in terms of how they handled the situation with you that you'd like to see them improve in dealing with talents in the future?
Danielle Kamela: Right. I guess it's broad; but like you were saying, I would just say the communication, because I know it's probably hard to deal with a lot of different talent and all of these moving pieces and a live TV show or two or three live TV shows that they have to write every single week. But I think just communicating because there was lots of times when I'd just sit and wonder or be stressed when a simple answer, I feel like, could have been provided. So I think just communication, more communication. I think that would help just all around talent happiness, just being communicated with a little bit more. It's tough too, because at times I would think like, "Well, should I be just messaging these people all of the time, or am I annoying them," trying to figure out what that balance is. I don't think as a talent you should be concerned with that because I think they should be communicating with you, if that makes sense, so definitely just the communication.
Mike Johnson: You mentioned trying to find that balance. It sounds very cliche; but for a lot of talents who work there, unless it's the tip top tier, there is a lot of walking on eggshells because there is a fear of, "Well, they could get rid of me and replace me with one of these other talents who are here in the Performance Center." Even with the Raw and the SmackDown talents, that's always a consistent thing of, "I don't want to push too hard because I could be out the door."
Danielle Kamela: Right. After I got the call that I was going back to NXT and I was like, "Oh, my gosh," I never want to say anything again. I'll let them come to me and tell me what they need. I don't want to make that mistake again where I come across a certain way that they think is negative or is ungrateful. Yeah, figuring that out is just so tricky.
Mike Johnson: So, you've had the opportunity to be there for WrestleMania Week and perform in Axxess and be part of that entire crazed week, which I always say it's like Mardi Gras meets a soap opera wedding for professional wrestling, just that crazed atmosphere of that week. What was your take on that entire WrestleMania experience vs. a normal Takeover weekend or a loop on the road?
Danielle Kamela: It's definitely different than just a Takeover or a loop because your... Well, I mean, a lot of times it'll fall on a Takeover, WrestleMania weekend. But you're just constantly busy because besides the matches that you have at Axxess, you have a lot of different appearances. So, sometimes you'll be standing on your feet for three hours taking pictures, and then you'll be signing. So it's just a go, go, go busy weekend. Then all of a sudden it's over, and you're like, "Wow. That was really crazy, really busy; but I just was at a WrestleMania." So, definitely just busy, busy, but I think we're just used to that anyway.
Mike Johnson: So, as we start to close this out, I want to give you the forum. I know you spoke to everyone directly on social media, but if there's anything you want to say to the audience that had the chance to support you on the NXT level or were excited to see you get to Raw or SmackDown or just are looking forward to seeing you on that grassroots level, if and when you start to wrestle again, what's the message to the audience that's supported Danielle as Vanessa and hopefully will support Danielle in whatever performance guise she takes going forward?
Danielle Kamela: Well, as Danielle, in all seriousness, I definitely just do want to say thank you so much to all of the fans who have supported me over these past five years with my run in the WWE. I honestly do not know what I would have done without having my supporters or someone who just had a chance to send me a message and say like, "I appreciate you and look up to you," and all of that. That really did mean the world to me. Yes, I do want to continue my wrestling career; and besides continuing it for myself, I definitely am continuing it for the fans because they've supported me throughout this whole time. I really want to be able to put out something amazing and something great for them. So, I just want to thank them for their continued support; and although I might not be wrestling right at this moment, it will eventually come again. I really hope that they stick with me, and I promise it'll be worth it in the long run.
Mike Johnson: Well, I want to let everybody know you can find out more about Danielle's post-WWE experiences and journey at daniellekamela.com as well on all her social media. Twitter currently is still @vanessabornewwe. We always like to start to close this out with a unique question, so I'm going to ask this. What was the family's reaction to you deciding to go into this crazy world; and now that they've seen this experience, are they still as excited? How did their view of pro wrestling and you being involved in WWE change over time?
Danielle Kamela: Oh, man. Well, when they found out I was pursuing this, it was definitely a little bit off the wall. But they were so excited for me, and they were so supportive. Throughout my entire career, they have been my biggest fans and my biggest cheerleaders. If I ever needed advice, even though of course they're not in the wrestling business, I would ask them. So, they were always making sure to stay on top of me when it comes to my career and ask me all sorts of questions throughout like, "Okay, what's new? What's the plan next," all of these things. So, I definitely don't think I would've made it through this time without them. They support whatever decision I have moving forward, and I know my mom has been really invested in my wrestling career. Before I got released, she was watching all of these videos, different videos of... I know Lilian Garcia has her podcast, so she was watching all of the other talent who have gone on that and listening to all of these other women wrestlers' stories and just encouraging me to continue on, continue on, continue on. So, she still is very supportive of my wrestling career, and I don't want to disappoint her or the rest of my family. Yes.
Mike Johnson: We talked about the ups and downs and stresses and positives. What was the most fun moment for you on this journey? What's the one moment that when you look back on it just makes you smile?
Danielle Kamela: Oh, my gosh. Let me think. There's been so many.
Mike Johnson: Well, let's open it up then. What are the funnest moments then?
Danielle Kamela: I think some of the funnest moments are just being in the locker room, shooting the shit with all the ladies. Those are just those times when you have your down moments, when you're relaxing and just joking around with everyone, just having fun, laughing, smiling. I guess those are just definitely some of the cherished moments I have or just the moments where you're just laughing with your peers.
Mike Johnson: Well, I want to thank you for sitting down and talking to us. Hopefully, this is not the only conversation we ever get to have. Hopefully, we get to touch base as you continue on the journey. I just want to say, I really appreciate you sitting down and speaking to us. I think anybody who watched you progress over your time in NXT knows that one, there was obviously great marked improvement; but also, they never really had the chance to dig in deep and scratch more than the surface. I think I speak for a lot of people who followed you in saying that I'm very intrigued and curious and seeing what's next and what happens when you do have a chance to dig your nails in and scratch beyond what we saw with Vanessa. So, thanks for the time; and if you've got any final words for everybody, I'd love to give you the forum.
Danielle Kamela: Just wanted to say, thank you, Mike, so much for this interview. It was nice just to backtrack on my career and think about all of the good, positive memories I had there. So, it was a lot of time to talk to you. And, of course, again, just thank you, everyone, who supported me and has been here along for the journey and who continues to be. So, thank you so much.
Mike Johnson: All right. Well, I appreciate you giving us the opportunity to talk to you. We look forward to doing it again down the line, and I want to thank everybody for supporting pwinsiderelite.com. I ask that you be safe, be healthy, wear your mask if appropriate, watch some wrestling, be happy. The Vanessa Borne chapter is ended, but the Danielle Kamela chapter has just begun. So, stay tuned and you could watch where she's going to go, what she's going to, and you can follow her on social media.. We invite you to do that. We hope you enjoyed this interview. Have a great weekend. We will talk to you soon. Until next time, I'm Mike Johnson; and, Danielle, thank you for the time.
Danielle Kamela: Thank you.
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