WWE’s women’s division just got a powerful new addition, and wrestling legend Bubba Ray Dudley is already singing her praises.
Blake Monroe, previously known to fans as Mariah May, stepped into the spotlight earlier this month with her official debut on WWE NXT. Her arrival comes amid WWE’s aggressive wave of talent acquisitions, shaking up rosters across the board and sending a message to the industry.
Having already held gold in Japan’s Stardom promotion and enjoyed a high-profile stint in All Elite Wrestling, Monroe isn’t walking in green. Her heated rivalry with Toni Storm served as the climax of her AEW tenure, capping a run that firmly established her as one to watch.
Now, Monroe is setting her sights on NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and the ruthless Fatal Influence faction. The message is clear: she’s not here to blend in, she’s here to dominate.
WWE Veteran Gives Monroe the Stamp of Approval
In an exclusive conversation with Fox News Digital, WWE Hall of Famer Bubba Ray Dudley didn’t hold back when discussing Monroe’s potential within the company.
“Blake Monroe has caught my eye, caught my intention over the last couple of years, for the body of work she was involved with in another company,” he said. “She did a phenomenal job and maxed out her potential there. I don’t think Blake Monroe could have gotten better at where she was, I don’t think there was enough talent that was better than her for her to work up to.
“I don’t know if there was enough minds that could have worked with Blake Monroe to have her be the sports entertainer she could be. I didn’t use the word pro wrestler I used sports entertainer because when you look at Blake Monroe’s body of work the last couple of years its more sports entertainer than pro wrestler to me and at the end of the day it’s world wrestling entertainment.”
Dudley, no stranger to big-stage success himself, believes Monroe’s move to WWE is not just smart, it’s essential to unlocking her full potential.
“She’s Truly Going to Shine”
Dudley went further, offering a firm prediction that Monroe will thrive under WWE’s polished developmental system.
“So, I think Blake Monroe coming into NXT was a very smart move on her behalf, working with all this new talent I believe working with Shawn Michaels and working with all the talented creative people he has under him and the producers,” Dudley said.
“Blake is truly going to shine in the system. And I think she will go on and be a big star in the WWE.”
That forecast carries weight coming from a man who helped define tag team wrestling in WWE’s golden era. For Monroe, the endorsement adds even more momentum to an already buzzing debut.
A Dream in Motion—and a Table-Breaking Welcome
Just days ago, Monroe’s “contract signing” aired on NXT, where she told fans her lifelong dream had always been to perform in WWE. True to form, she had shared similar sentiments on social media throughout her climb in the wrestling world.
But dreams don’t come without bumps, literally. Her welcome to NXT included a painful initiation from Jacy Jayne, who slammed her through a table in a brutal show of dominance.
Still, that only adds fuel to Monroe’s fire. Her first official match hasn’t been announced, but the anticipation is growing fast. If Bubba Ray Dudley’s instincts are right, WWE fans should buckle up because Blake Monroe is just getting started.
