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Earlier this week, Mike Johnson sat down with Jody Threat in advance of her tag team match on tonight's MLP Northern Rising 2026 PPV on MyAEW.com. Below is the complete transcript for the discussion, which can be heard at www.PWInsiderElite.com.
Mike Johnson: Hey everybody, it's Mike Johnson back in the audio section of PWInsiderElite.com. All week we've been talking to the stars of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling as Saturday evening Northern Rising 2026 will take place live on myAEW.com pay-per-view from Toronto, Ontario from the legendary former Maple Leaf Gardens. And if there's anyone who epitomizes wrestling in Canada over the last couple of years, it's the Wild Child, Jody Threat, who many of you will know from her run in TNA. Jody will be stepping into tag team action this Saturday. We're going to talk about her teaming with Alice Crowley against Alexia Nicole and her partner—which I have in front of me, but apparently I'm having a brain fart and I forgot how to read—and it is Alexia Nicole and Kingsley. We got lots of things to talk about, so first of all Jody, I don't think we've ever had you on the site before. I really appreciate you sitting down to talk to us for a little bit. How's everything in your world as we gear up for MLP Northern Rising?
Jody Threat: Everything is fantastic. I'm spoiled. I don't actually have to travel anywhere for this pay-per-view. It's in my hometown, so how can I complain?
Mike Johnson: You know what, let me ask you this, because I don't think I've ever asked anyone this before: When a show's in your hometown and you don't have to worry about TSA, airlines, travel, finding a gym in a foreign city, or for you going to foreign countries, how much easier is it to just get inside the ring and go to work?
Jody Threat: I feel spoiled. You kind of laid out everything that someone has to go through, and we normally come in a day early, especially for a pay-per-view, so it's very cumbersome when you're doing the travel thing. But for me, I'm literally going to roll out of my very own bed, I'm going to eat my favorite breakfast foods, I'm going to go to my favorite coffee shop, probably get in a quick pump at my actual gym. It's great, it's setting me up for the stage where I can be successful. I'm spoiled.
Mike Johnson: So you popped up in MLP a little bit into the run of MLP Mayhem wrestling Alexia Nicole, who you're going to face on Saturday evening. You also faced her over the weekend last weekend at London Comic Con. Thoughts on MLP and how happy were you to end up joining Scott D'Amore's merry little band of men and women?
Jody Threat: The universe works in very interesting ways. This was obviously coming off asking for my release from my former company, and Scott opened his arms wide and allowed me to come in. Such a very cool thing as I am Canadian, and I'm very proud to be Canadian. I think all Canadians recognize what an important thing Maple Leaf Pro is for Canadian wrestlers. It's such a large platform, such a wonderful thing that is happening, and really history, Canadian history in the making in real time. I get such an honor to be welcomed with open arms by Papa Scott, if you will. I feel right at home here.
Mike Johnson: I think a lot of people were wondering what was going to be his next move when he left TNA himself. And I always thought, "Ah, he's just going to do his own thing," but I didn't expect it. Now, I'm an American, so I don't know the Canadian landscape at all other than what I see on the news or what I read online. I never expected he was effectively going to end up on the TSN of Canada and have a television series there. Obviously you've worked with Scott a lot over the years. Were you surprised at just the depth of how big this has gotten already?
Jody Threat: No, there is no surprise. This man does things that are spectacular. He never surprises me because I just expect spectacular things out of him. He's only ever proved to do what we thought would be the impossible, reviving such an iconic promotion and letting it grow to this magnitude in such a small amount of time. No surprise at all. I think he's the only man for the job. So it just makes perfect sense in my head. It kind of writes itself, really.
Mike Johnson: When you think about the fact that this thing has sold out the Maple Leaf Gardens in advance and has such a stacked card, what sort of pride as a Canadian pro wrestler does this give you? We've already talked a little bit about it being in your hometown, but it's a Canadian-branded wrestling show with Canadian stars selling out one of the most famous Canadian wrestling venues of all time in advance. As a Canadian wrestler, what does that mean to you in terms of the level of pride that you carry?
Jody Threat: I truly think it's probably the most Canadian wrestler thing you can do. Like you said, it holds such weight, not just in Canada, but I think worldwide really, if you look at the history and how it went and where it went. The fact that we've been able to revive it, to reanimate it in what it was meant for... I know hockey and other sports, but for me, it's meant for wrestling just because of how many big events happened there, how many iconic moments. It really does swell my heart full with love knowing that I get to be a part of this history. Like you said, it's the second time that the company will be at this venue. It's very cool. I hope we get to do it again and again and again, and that this generation recognizes this venue as the epicenter for Canadian wrestling. I think again, it being the second time there, we're already kind of making waves in this generation for people to recognize this. Again, I know I've said it a few times, but I'm so honored to be a part of what is happening, this history as a Canadian. On a personal side of things, it's very funny: my immigrant grandmother who was from Hungary, she used to watch wrestling in this very venue in the 1980s. So it's kind of cool that—she's passed now—many years later I'm able to go into a venue in which she enjoyed pro wrestling herself.
Mike Johnson: It's interesting you say that, because I don't remember this, but I've been told many times that I sat on my grandmother's lap as she watched and cheered for Bruno Sammartino and Ivan Putski when I was a baby. So I'm curious, do you know who your grandmother was there cheering on back in the day? Was there someone specific that she cared about?
Jody Threat: No, I don't, and you've kind of just inspired me to maybe do some family research, because I would love to know. It's funny, because it wasn't until I was booked for this awesome opportunity that I mentioned it to my dad, and he was the one that was like, "Oh my god, mom used to love coming here for wrestling." So maybe it's an opportunity to dive deeper into my family history and what it was that my grandma loved about wrestling and who it was she was cheering for.
Mike Johnson: That's such a cool complete circle. I can tell you, when I told Bruno Sammartino the story the first time I interviewed him, he got a big kick out of it. When I met Ivan Putski and I tried to tell him, he did not give a shit at all. So you never know. It is what it is.
Jody Threat: But I do love that grandmothers love wrestling.
Mike Johnson: Absolutely. I love all the old footage. The last person you ever saw doing this was in Smoky Mountain—there was an older woman in her 70s or 80s, and she wanted to murder the heels. It was the greatest thing in the world. She'd throw her fists up and want to punch everybody, and I'm like, this is keeping her going. She's like, "I have to go next month to stop these assholes." It's the best.
Jody Threat: Exactly.
Mike Johnson: So I do want to ask you, we mentioned that you did ask for your TNA release. I can tell you, I was personally stunned, not because you left, but because it felt like they were doing so many things with you with the Fight Network and some of the little documentaries on Instagram and social media, and it felt like you were pretty involved there and embedded there. So I was personally very surprised to hear that you left the company. I don't know what you're allowed to talk about, I don't know if you want to talk about it, but I don't believe you've spoken about this yet. Would you like to talk about why you decided to leave the company and ask for your release?
Jody Threat: Sure, very happy to. But I will first clarify: the little documentaries on the Fight Network stuff that I was involved with was actually more with Anthem, which is the network that owns TNA. So although TNA gets wrapped around my identity and what I was doing, it wasn't for TNA. That was more of my own initiatives with a producer named Jorge Barbosa, and both of us being from Toronto and being passionate about creating things is what led us into doing all those cool things. It wasn't a TNA initiative. But my time at TNA was wonderful. I would not trade it for anything. It allowed me my first instances on TV and really allowed me to develop as a worker. I was able to be a tag team champion with my real-life best friend Dani Luna. We were able to do that twice. I was able to travel all over America and Canada with that company, and I'm so happy. Leaving was more because I have some goals, and maybe I'll just put it out in the universe: I would absolutely love the opportunity to go do a long-term stay in Japan, and I couldn't be tied legally to a company to put myself out there to be able to try to land something, right? Because when you're under contract, the rules about trying to get other work in certain TV companies and that sort of thing... so I just wanted to clear myself of anything that could legally hold me back from what those ambitions were that I had. Currently trying to get myself to Japan and do one of those tours. Just one of those personal things I really wanted to do before my body starts breaking down on me. I feel like my body is still in top shape and I feel like I'm still getting better as a wrestler, and I just want that opportunity to really immerse myself in that Japanese wrestling culture, to learn from the best, and to give it my all. So that is honestly the main reason why I left TNA.
Mike Johnson: How has achieving that goal gone for you since leaving TNA? Have we made any inroads towards heading to Japan?
Jody Threat: You know, I have a few lines out there. I'm fishing right now. It's just one of those things where you've got to be in the right place at the right time, and I just want to be open and honest with what my intentions are, and that's to get my butt to Japan. So if anyone's listening in one of those amazing Japanese companies, please look for my little lures that are in the water right now trying to fish for an opportunity. But I'm not too worried. I'm sure something will surface. Again, a lot of these things in wrestling are the right place, right time. So I'm doing the things that I need to do, and that's making sure that my wrestling is sharp. I'm still working every single weekend multiple times on the indies. I'm obviously working for Maple Leaf Pro, which I think is a wonderful platform for myself. I'm getting stronger in the gym. I'm still competing in strongman, I'm still competing in Jiu-Jitsu. So I'm doing all the things I need to do on my side. It's just again about being in the right place, right time and given that opportunity.
Mike Johnson: Well, you're going to have an opportunity this Saturday night at Northern Rising in that tag team bout. Let's do a little bit of a preview. What can fans expect from you and Alice Crowley teaming up?
Jody Threat: Wildness. I don't know if you noticed, but Alice and I are very similar, not just visually, but also in how we act. We actually met first in the indies many years ago, and it was almost like friendship at first sight. We knew we were cut from the same cloth, if you will. So I think that although we've never tagged together, naturally we're going to fit really well together. Alexia and Kingsley are two competitors that I know way too well. Alexia and I actually work a lot together outside of wrestling with some projects that we have. We have a non-profit we just founded and are trying to get up and running to help women in wrestling. And Kingsley, I feel like this year I've just seen her in the ring way too many times. So I know what is up her sleeve, and it probably involves a freaking microphone. So I think this match is going to be really fun, really competitive, just because we know each other so well, and I think the energy is really going to match up good. I think there's going to be good chemistry. Hard hitting for sure.
Mike Johnson: For yourself, obviously you've been on TNA pay-per-views, you've traveled all over the United States and Canada, where do you rank this in terms of personal excitement and pressure for this show? Because obviously this is the biggest show in the history of the company, but it's also a stacked show, so that puts pressure on everybody to try and do their best and outdo each other, because everybody wants the overall show to be great, they just want to have the best match on the show, which I always find that sort of competition very beautiful in a sort of way. Everybody on the team wants to hit a home run, but I want to hit the most home runs. But for yourself, what's the sort of pressure that you feel going into this weekend?
Jody Threat: Well, again, this is my hometown. I was born and raised in Toronto—and I'm not talking about the Greater Toronto Area, literally in Toronto. I was born at Queen and Spadina, which is maybe 10 minutes away from this venue. So on a personal level, it's a very special thing for me. Pressure-wise, my father is going to be in the crowd, which is really exciting, and I want to make him proud, so I guess there's that sort of pressure there. And then also, like you said, it's just one of those shows. It's the biggest pay-per-view for this company, a company that means a lot to me. Scott D'Amore means a lot to me. Josh Alexander's my trainer, I want to make him proud. So there's a lot of pressure in the way of me doing the best that I can. But one thing I can say about myself is that I operate really well under pressure, and I'm really excited to be given the opportunity to show people what I can do, and to show people, the bosses, and those that mean a lot to me what I can do under pressure. So there is pressure, absolutely, but I'm very excited about the pressure.
Mike Johnson: We will talk about Josh Alexander in a second, but before we get there, I wanted to talk to you about the MLP Canadian Women's Championship match, because Priscilla Kelly is going to be defending that championship. This is a match that... obviously Gisele Shaw just dropped the belt to Priscilla. Priscilla's going to defend against Nikki Storm, who has a hell of a resume herself. Thoughts on that match? Because obviously that's got to be one of the goals here in the company for you, is to be at that level and be the Canadian Women's Champion.
Jody Threat: Yeah, my eyes are on that belt for sure. PK and Nikki are fierce competitors. Completely transparent, that is my goal. My goal is to be MLP Canadian Women's Champion. I'm just not going to hide it. So once I'm done dealing with my match, my focus is 100% on this match to see what it is that I'm going to be up against. I understand that I did enter into this company a little late to the game, so you've got to kind of build your way up to the top to be able to have a shot at something like this. But I guess I can say that I will put whoever wins this match on notice, if you will, because for sure that is number one on my goals list.
Mike Johnson: So as we mentioned, the show is going to be taking place in Toronto, always a massive wrestling city that's held multiple WrestleManias. I was there once or twice for WWE events that were pay-per-views. You know what, I don't think I've ever asked any Canadian wrestler this: Why do you think Toronto is so wrestling crazy? Because it's like the biggest hub when WWE comes to Canada these days, and obviously this show has sold out well in advance. What is it about pro wrestling that Toronto is so ravenous for?
Jody Threat: That's actually a great question. It makes me want to go back to school and maybe do like a master's thesis project on this, because it must just be like the perfect combination, right? Toronto loves Toronto. Toronto supports the things they love. Toronto fans in general are just the best, so passionate and lively. We see it in all our sports, even when our teams don't do so good—God bless the Maple Leafs. I just think that when Canada likes something, when Toronto likes something, we just really like it, and we really support the heck out of it.
Mike Johnson: For yourself, obviously you've gotten a chance to do quite a lot since you got into the pro wrestling world. What to you has been the moments that have meant the most to you on a personal level? Either a favorite match, or a favorite moment... Obviously it's like trying to pick your favorite child or your favorite friend, but when you think about what you've been able to accomplish, what are the things that bring you the biggest smiles when you think back on them?
Jody Threat: Yeah, for sure. Some of these might be kind of funny. As a wrestler coming up as an indie wrestler, doing it the indie route—because you know you can do the route where you're a college athlete, you get scooped up by developmental, and you're developed into a star, whereas I've done it the real gritty way, which is coming up through the indies. And I think for me, one of the moments that I was so proud to have—it really isn't much—was being able to do some loops at IWA Mid-South for Ian Rotten. Just to say I did it, in the change room next to the piss bucket and the dead bird. It was just one of those bucket list items to check off, if you will.
Mike Johnson: And did it make you a better person?
Jody Threat: It built character, I can tell you that much. It built character. But it allowed me then to compete in the Ted Petty Invitational, so something like that was really cool for me. I think also signing with TNA, my first TV contract, was a really big deal for me. My match against Athena in Toronto when AEW came to town was just another moment where it kind of makes my eyes water when I think about going back to how Toronto just supports pro wrestling and their people. The response I had coming out for that match was... I've not experienced that anywhere else. It really sits probably number one for me, coming out for that match just because they were so supportive, and it really showed me that Toronto loves me, which is really great. And yeah, I guess also obviously winning a tag team title with my best friend Dani Luna. Come on, that's so sick, right?
Mike Johnson: You can't beat that. That bonds you forever.
Jody Threat: Yeah, right?
Mike Johnson: So we've talked a lot about your expectations for the show, but the most important people are the fans. What do you hope the fans ordering the show on myAEW.com get out of Northern Rising this weekend?
Jody Threat: For those that don't know Canadian wrestling, I hope it is an eye-opening experience where they see that some of the best wrestlers are from Canada. We often don't get the eyes that we deserve just because of the border and the politics there. Scott D'Amore has built us a platform where people in Canada that don't often get those eyes are able to get those eyes. There's certain talents on the roster, like I said, there's just barriers that exist, and they don't get to be seen, and they're going to be seen. I hope that everyone watching can see how passionate and how freaking good Canadian wrestling is.
Mike Johnson: For yourself, let's talk about goals. Beyond Japan, beyond the MLP Women's Championship, what would you like to be able to knock out over the next year or so for yourself personally?
Jody Threat: Honestly, those are my two biggest ones. If I can get those out of the way, I'd be a happy lady. And potentially, finding my way to a new home, if you will. Maple Leaf Pro is one of my homes, but I wouldn't be opposed to finding a new home, if you will, with a different company. You know what I mean? I don't know what company that could be, but yeah, I would definitely like to find a full-time home.
Mike Johnson: All right, before we get out of here, I do want to ask you: What was it like training under Josh Alexander? And what is it like when your trainer is someone who's just a wrestling machine like that, who just lives and breathes pro wrestling to the point like it seems like it's physically impossible for him to have a bad wrestling match?
Jody Threat: It is impossible. I've known the man now, I feel like, nine years, and I don't know if I've ever seen anything that resembled bad wrestling even close to him, let alone him being involved in it. I just feel like the theme of luck and gratitude just keeps coming out of me, but truly, we're going to continue with that theme. I'm so lucky that he adopted me when I was very young in my training journey and took me under his wing and really has made me the wrestler I am. There is no person that I've met that works harder than him inside and outside the ring. There's no one that operates with more integrity. I hope that for anyone that looks at me, they think I'm at least a fraction of the human being that he is inside and out of the ring. He is my wrestling father and I just want to make him so proud with what I do. He's a very good example of how to do good business, how to do good pro wrestling, how to be a good human being.
Mike Johnson: So, what's your favorite Scott D'Amore story?
Jody Threat: Oh no, I'm not allowed to talk about those! I'm not allowed to talk about those! He's a wild man!
Mike Johnson: Wait, time out, can you plead the Fifth in Canada? I don't know if that's there or not.
Jody Threat: I'm going to, I'm going to! You said you're from America, I will plead the Fifth, you're from America, you know what that means!
Mike Johnson: All right, well, I want to thank you so much for sitting down and talking to us for a little bit. You got an open invite to come back anytime you would like to. But before we go, I always like to give everybody a chance if they want to speak to their fanbase personally or if they want to plug their social media, what they got coming up. So I'd like to give you as much time as you want, or as short as you want: What's your message to the audience, not just the fans that are going to watch you on Northern Rising, but also the fans that have supported you throughout Canada, the United States, and beyond over the course of your career? And let us know what else is going on in the world of Jody Threat beyond her responsibilities for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling.
Jody Threat: Absolutely. Well, you can follow me at @jodythreat on all the social medias. There's going to be some stuff pumping out there, so stay tuned if you like my little adventures, more of that's going to be coming on its way. Just follow along, interesting things are happening. Like I said, I'm fishing for interesting opportunities. We're in a very fun part of my career where I'm kind of on this journey and I myself am excited to see where I land. I'm open to all sorts of experiences. To my fans, honestly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for supporting me in all ways that you do. I feel so lucky, I feel like I get so much love wherever I go, and especially people in Canada. I really am trying to represent the country and do good by the pro wrestling that does exist in our country. Just follow along, let me see what's going on. Keep your eyes peeled, I think I mentioned it earlier: Alexia Nicole and myself, we have founded a non-profit called Girl Grapps. We're just starting getting things going, but if you keep your eyes peeled and follow us on Instagram, you'll see what's going to be coming down the chute.
Mike Johnson: All right, well, I'll have details on that as it gets officially announced and starts to roll out, so please Jody, stay in touch with me so we can plug that as it gets closer. But before we can do that, all roads lead to Toronto, which we've mentioned many times today. For Northern Rising 2026, presented by Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, featuring Jody Threat with all her punk rock chaos and raw power as she steps into tag team action and eventually looks to face off and face down the MLP Canadian Women's Champion. Dun dun dun! Until next time here on PWInsiderElite.com, we thank you so much for your support. We invite you to go to myAEW.com and order the show. We think you will very much enjoy it. It's a loaded lineup and I'm looking forward to watching it on myAEW.com as well. We thank you so much for your support as I've already said. Jody, thank you so much for all the time today. We wish you nothing but the best personally and professionally, and we hope you enjoy stepping into the former Maple Leaf Gardens. Your grandma will probably be there in spirit cheering you on, which I think is a wonderful thing.
Jody Threat: Me too. Thank you so much.
Mike Johnson: All right, everybody, until next time, I'm Mike Johnson. Be safe, be healthy, and go watch some wrestling. I'll talk to you later.
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