Rhio successfully defended her PROGRESS Women’s Championship against Lena Kross at Chapter 169: The Devil On My Shoulder, taking her current reign to an impressive 285 days at time of writing. After her hard-fought victory, Rhio sat down for an exclusive interview to discuss the match, her postponed showdown with Emersyn Jayne, the unveiling of the new championship belt, and her future goals.
Rhio, congratulations on your successful title defence! How did it feel to go up against Lena Kross, and what was your strategy going into the match?
It was nice to face someone new to PROGRESS and challenge myself in a different way as I haven’t faced anyone Lena’s size. My strategy was the same as always. Keep the mind on the goals I have, and hit the piledriver because it never lets me down.
It felt as if Lena had a lot to prove on her UK debut and she came at you with a lot of aggression and a cocksure attitude. Were you surprised by just how aggressive and accomplished she was?
I wasn’t surprised at all by Lena. She’s travelled the world and comes highly recommended. I knew she would be aggressive; she can’t have done as much as she had without aggression, but I’ve said it a lot recently if people want to keep disrespecting me, then they’re going to bring out a side of me that they won’t like.
Your match with Emersyn Jayne was postponed. How did that affect your preparation and mindset going into the defence against Kross and how much do you want that match to finally take place – with a deserving winner – in a PROGRESS ring?
Again, I just go into every match with a samurai mind, and a drive to hit the piledriver. Once I do that it’s done. I really want the match between myself and Emersyn to happen but it’ll happen when it happens. I think she deserves a fair shot at the PROGRESS Women’s Championship so that’s what she’ll get.
The new PROGRESS Women’s Championship belt was unveiled recently. What are your thoughts on the new design, and what does it mean to you to hold that title?
I absolutely love the new design. I can’t stop looking at it. It really is a thing of beauty and now is the standard it should be. It’s one of the most sought-after championships in Europe and it should look that impressive, now it does. I think it represents everything that the PROGRESS women’s division is.
As you approach 300 days as champion, how impressed are you with the women in PROGRESS? We had seven women on the show last weekend and they ALL showed out!
The women in PROGRESS are showing why we have a beautiful new championship, and why we deserve a women’s SSS16 next year. The division is the strongest it’s ever been. And I’m very excited for the it’s growth.
There has been a lot of talk about you online in recent weeks, how are you staying grounded amongst all that outside noise?
I know where I come from and no amount of online presence or talk will ever change that. My roots are strong and I’m proud of that.
Finally, what message do you have for Session Moth Martina after her actions and words to you?
PROGRESS Wrestling tickets are available for all future shows via the dice app, including this August’s event, WRESTLING NEVER SLEEPS featuring Rhio defending her PROGRESS Wrestling Women’s World Championship. See you on Monday, 26th August!
You can see Rhio matches in PROGRESS Wrestling, including her 10 successful defences by subscribing to DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS. Watch wrestling anytime, anywhere with our HUGE library of events!
