Alexa Bliss has a unique problem in WWE: she’s too good at being bad.
“When I first started doing more of the hosting thing, because I’ve been a bad guy for so long, nothing I said sounded genuine,” Bliss told NZPWI.
“People were waiting for me to say something snarky or mean.
“I think that’s the biggest challenge for me, to kind of transition between a genuine host and a bad guy and make it feel believable.”
Bliss has been a bad guy from the moment she arrived on SmackDown Live in July 2016.
Three years later, “The Goddess” is one of WWE’s most accomplished Superstars. Bliss is a three-time Raw Women’s Champion, two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion, and current Women’s Tag Team Champion with partner Nikki Cross.
Bliss’ success comes in spite of a concussion that sidelined her for much of the past year.
During that time, Bliss remained on WWE TV in various roles including as the host of WrestleMania 35, and with an almond milk latte in hand on the set of A Moment of Bliss.
“I love being able to perform and any aspect of it, whether it’s in the ring or out of the ring,” Bliss said.
“Obviously being out of the ring was very frustrating because injuries… it’s not like a concussion can just heal in a certain amount of time.
“Each concussion is different. Some people have concussions that last a week, some people have them that last years. It’s not like a broken ankle where you just reset it and go.
“It was very frustrating but I’m very fortunate that WWE gave me the opportunity to do A Moment of Bliss and still connect with people. That’s what I love to do and I’m very thankful for that.”
While hosting and managing, Bliss also spent time at the WWE Performance Center working on a variety of in-ring techniques. Just don’t expect to see them any time soon.
“As a bad guy I don’t really like to do a lot of flashy moves,” Bliss said.
“I know how to do them, I just choose not to because I have this thorough belief that bad guys shouldn’t try to get cheered.”
Bliss admits it would be a challenge to elicit cheers after all these years of being hated. “The Goddess” is in no hurry to try either – being bad is too much fun.
“I kinda like being booed when I come out to the ring,” Bliss said.
“In NXT I first started as a good guy and it just… didn’t translate very well? Maybe it could be something that evolves over time but right now I’m having a lot of fun being the bad guy.”
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross defend the Women’s Tag Team Championship against The Kabuki Warriors on WWE Raw this Tuesday, August 13, from 12pm (NZST) on SKY 5
