Since its beginning, the AEW Women’s Division has faced scrutiny from fans, who have voiced concerns about its initial neglect compared to other aspects of the promotion. Interestingly, Madusa recently shared her experience during her time in AEW and has revealed how many women didn’t want to train at all.

While speaking on her YouTube channel, Madusa shared her experience about training at AEW. She was unsure if the girls currently train there but recounted her first visit, where she stayed for a couple of days and participated in open training sessions. Dustin Rhodes was training the girls and invited her to join the practice.

Maudsa agreed enthusiastically but initially intended just to observe. Dustin asked if she wanted to help train the girls, and she expressed her honor but stated that she didn’t want to overstep. She suggested that she could talk to the girls and offer suggestions if needed, and emphasized the importance of learning by watching and listening outside the ring.

“I don’t know if the girls train at AEW. I know when I was there that first time, I was there for a couple of days and they had open training because they had a ring there. Dustin was training the girls, and he’s like, ‘Oh my God, Deuce, I’m so glad you’re here! Do you want to come to practice?’ I’m like, ‘[__] yeah, yeah!’ And I’m like, ‘Okay,’ I said, ‘I’ll just, you know, I’ll just sit out here.’ And he goes, ‘Yeah, do you want to help train the girls?’

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And I said, ‘I’m honored, but you know, I’m just here. For me to come in and start throwing my weight around, I don’t think it’s cool.’ I said, ‘You’re leading this, so if you want me to talk to the girls and let them know that I’m open if they want to come over for any suggestions and stuff like that, absolutely.’ I said, ‘I think the best thing is, the kids are here and the ones that aren’t in the ring training, the best way to learn is actually to sit outside the ring and watch and listen.’ And he’s like, ‘Of course, he gets it. Yeah, yeah, yeah.’

As they prepared to start, Madusa noticed the lack of attendees and asked Dustin about it. He explained that the training was voluntary, which baffled her given that Dustin Rhodes was training for free. She questioned why more girls weren’t present, considering many were under contracts and getting paid. Reflecting on the past, she noted how the girls’ work used to lack direction and how crucial it was to take advantage of such training opportunities.

“So we were getting ready to start, and I’m like, ‘Where’s everybody?’ And he’s like, ‘Well, it’s voluntary.’ And I’m like, ‘So it’s free? You got Dustin Rhodes training the girls, where are they? Why aren’t they here?’ And I was a little baffled. He’s like, ‘Di, it’s the kids. What am I going to say? It’s the new kids of today.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, okay, that was respectfully said, I get it, but isn’t it mandatory? I mean, half or more of them are under contracts, they’re getting paid, shouldn’t they just be here to show up too?’ I’m like, ‘Because back then, the girls’ work sucked. It was a [__] show, man. They were all basically learning, and no bad things to them, there was just no direction. Who wouldn’t take advantage of that?’

The next day, she saw some girls and invited them to practice. One girl responded that she didn’t have to go because she was on the injured list, despite appearing fine. Madusa suggested she could still learn by observing, but the girl reiterated that it was voluntary.

This interaction showed Madusa how some women might view the business as merely a meal ticket or a source of money rather than respecting it fully. She refrained from naming the individual but noted she might reveal it in another episode.

“So anyway, I went and I was talking, and then the next day I saw some girls and they walked out and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, hi! How are you?’ And they’re like, ‘Oh, hi, nice to meet you, Medusa.’ And I said, ‘Great. We had practice yesterday, we have it now. Are you coming?’ And she turned to me and said, ‘Practice? I don’t have to go.’ And I said, ‘What do you mean you don’t have to go?’ She said, ‘I’m on the injured list.’ I looked at her and she had her makeup all done, she’s walking just fine, everything’s fine. But sometimes, internally, you just don’t know. She goes, ‘Yeah, I have a doctor’s note. I don’t need to go, I don’t have to practice.’ And I said, ‘Well, you look great to me. Why can’t you sit outside the ring and learn something?’ She goes, ‘It’s voluntary, and I don’t need to show.’

I’m not saying this person’s name for a reason because I’ll mention it probably later in another episode, but it really opened my eyes to how the women, not all of them, may look at this business as a meal ticket, as money only, or do they really respect it? Are they that much of a c***? You know what I’m saying?”

It is to be noted that AEW President Tony Khan recently claimed that AEW has the best women’s wrestling in the world right now. Nevertheless, fans can hope AEW’s women’s division continues to get better in the coming months.

What do you think of what Madusa had to say about the AEW women’s division? Let us know in the comments section below!

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

Subhojeet Mukherjee

Subhojeet, a professional wrestling fan for over 20+ years, found his passion during the Monday Night Wars. With expertise honed over decades and a broad spectrum of interests including TV, movies, anime, novels, and music, he offers insightful analysis and coverage. Respected in the industry, Subhojeet keeps fans informed and engaged with his knowledge and perspective.

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