As the wrestling world prepares for a massive Women’s World Championship clash this Friday, CMLL’s breakout sensation Persephone is stepping into the spotlight with more eyes on her than ever before. In an exclusive conversation with Dirt Sheet Radio, the powerhouse luchadora reflected on her meteoric rise, her tactical shift ahead of the Mercedes Moné rematch, and the "personal debate" that led to her historic dual-promotion status.
Jon: My name is Jon Escudero. This is Nick LaRocco. We're from Dirt Sheet Radio. How are you doing today, Persephone?
Persephone: Hi Jon, hi Nick! How are you guys? I'm good.
Jon: We're doing great. We're really quick here, so I just wanted to ask you: you are growing an insane amount of momentum right now, especially in the United States, where it seems like people are looking at you like "that could be the next big thing." You faced Mercedes Moné previously in October, but coming into this match on Friday for the Women's World Championship, do you feel any extra pressure knowing that you might have a lot more eyes on you this time? And are you going into this match with a different mindset from the last one?
Persephone: For sure. I think since October up until now, things have definitely changed. In just a few months—because it really hasn't been that long—like you said, I had the dual contract announcement, I've been on Ring of Honor and U.S. territories a lot more now. So, I feel I have grown, and I'm starting to take off in the U.S. more than I had in the past. I think there is a little bit more pressure now because maybe fans of Mercedes who didn't know who I was back in October will be watching now, obviously with a little bit of worry for their hero. So, I think there's definitely going to be a lot more eyes, but this time around I actually feel a lot calmer. I think there was a bit of pressure in October because it was my first one-on-one with her, so there was the pressure of what to expect and how to go about it. I think a lot of emotions were in that match that got the better of me. This time around, I can go in a lot calmer and just out-wrestle her. I was an Olympic wrestler before a pro wrestler, and this is just what I've always loved—wrestling itself. So, I think this time around, with that match done—even though it wasn't the result I wanted—at least the experience is out of the way. I can go in a lot calmer and just do what I love to do, which is wrestle.
Nick: Awesome, thank you very much. Yeah, Persephone, I wanted to ask you: when you look at yourself from your debut to now, what would you say has been your absolute biggest evolution as a wrestler? And on top of that, where do you see the next evolution taking you?
Persephone: Do you mean debut like the actual... very, very beginning? Yes, there is just so much. Especially in the past couple of years, there has been a lot. I think right now, to the U.S. fanbase, it seems like the rocket just got strapped on me and I'm starting to take off. But for those who weren't really familiar with CMLL or the Mexico territory when it comes to Lucha Libre, that rocket started back in October of 2024 when I won my first championship in CMLL. From there, it took off—going to Tokyo, to London, winning the Grand Prix, and getting the opportunity with Mercedes the first time around. Things on the Mexico side have really taken off, and I think that's where the first big transformation was: training every day for those opportunities, and then all of a sudden, they all kind of came in at once. It was like a big rush, one after another after another. I don't think people realize just how heavy it can be going back and forth from one big moment to another without a pause or a break. I think that was the first big transformation. Every time there was a different opportunity, maybe a little bit bigger than the last, you didn't really get a breath before the next step. You just kind of have to keep pushing. "Okay, I just did this, but now I have to do this. Now I have to go to Tokyo and the Tokyo Dome." You just have to push through it. Then after that, you're going to the O2 Arena in London, and after that, you're going to do the Grand Prix. It was just thing after thing. Don't get me wrong, they are great opportunities, but you don't really get a breath. It’s about finding that will to keep pushing despite being exhausted. I think that was the first big transformation after years of just being on the grind.
Jon: Absolutely, thank you. One final question for you, and it's kind of a two-parter. As I mentioned, you've been gaining a lot of momentum in the U.S., but that also got you attention from some other bigger places in the states. Particularly, I saw an interview you did with Mark Henry where he wanted you to use the World's Strongest Slam; he loved you so much!
Persephone: Yeah, yeah! Ha ha!
Jon: Was there a chance you had to make a decision before you were offered a contract now? Or did they get to you fast before anyone else had an opportunity?
Persephone: Yes and no. That interview with Mark was great, and I still have the World's Strongest Slam in mind—don't get me wrong! That's still in the back of my head; I'll still bust that out one day. But yes and no—my CMLL contract was close to expiring, but it had not expired yet. Anytime a contract is going to expire, you obviously have to get to that point of "What do we do now? What comes from this? Are we going to renew or move on?" On a personal and professional level, you have to analyze where you're at and what you've done. "Is this the same path I want to be on? Do I want to switch gears?" There was a moment of weighing out options, but it was more of a personal debate. Nothing had even been offered yet, but I was thinking about what I was going to do from here. Before the contract officially expired, that was when the dual one was offered. So, the debate was more of: "Do I continue on this path I'm on, which is staying in Mexico and continuing to be the face of CMLL while now branching out to AEW, or do I switch gears entirely?" It was a personal debate of what path I wanted to be on.
Jon: Awesome. Well, thank you very much for your time. I appreciate that so much, and good luck on Friday!
Persephone: No, thank you guys! Thank you guys, I appreciate it.
