Trinity Fatu debuted on the May 4, 2023 broadcast of IMPACT Wrestling.
Trinity Fatu has moved on.
Fresh off her IMPACT debut in Chicago, which boasted a star-studded support system backstage, the former Naomi officially shed her WWE exoskeleton and began a new chapter. Trinity is already a beloved figure in any locker room, and this was apparent judging by the amount of wrestlers who showed up for her in some form or fashion. CM Punk, Mercedes Mone, Bayley, Tamina, Kalisto and some of Trinity’s closest friends either sent well wishes or attended the Chicago show. All ready for the new and improved Trinity.
Trinity made her IMPACT debut on the May 4 broadcast on AXS
AXS
This time last year, Trinity was at the epicenter of the wrestling world during one of the wildest years in the history of wrestling news. Sandwiched between MJF’s still-bizarre no-show during AEW Double or Nothing weekend, and Vince McMahon’s shocking retirement/resignation, were Sasha Banks and Naomi. Now known professionally as Mercedes Mone and Trinity, two of WWE’s top stars reportedly walked out of a WWE Raw taping on May 16, 2022.
Suspensions ensued. Trinity became a polarizing figure overnight as narratives were published even quicker. Social media backlash was next, and before anybody had the full story, Trinity became one of many women in wrestling to endure fierce online harassment.
Despite what was admittedly her lowest moment, Trinity used her hiatus to work on herself—both physically and mentally. Trinity grew even closer to her extended family of relatives, wrestlers and big baby—her loving nickname for Solo Sikoa. Life after WWE is an uncertain journey devoid of job security.
But, then again, so is life in WWE.
And backed by a close network of friends and family, Trinity is thriving. I spoke with Trinity this week about her time away from wrestling and what she has learned about herself.
Trinity Fatu On IMPACT Wrestling Debut
Alfred Konuwa: What was your first impression of IMPACT Wrestling as a company?
Trinity Fatu: Very, very impressed, very welcoming and just the way that I was treated coming in and the way the talent it’s handled. The way you can have a lot of say so, and a lot of control, how open they are to just the talent’s creativity and ideas. That was really, really cool to see.
AK: The Knockouts division doesn’t get the credit that I think it deserves. I think that’s really where the Women’s Revolution started in terms of people knowing that women could main event wrestling shows. So now you are part of that great lineage. Who are some of the Knockouts that you’re interested in working with in IMPACT? I know you just had your first match against KiLynn King, but who else are you looking to work with?
Trinity: Every last one of them. Every last one of them. Miss Giselle Shaw got a little attitude problem, and I don’t mind checking her. Definitely Deonna [Purrazzo], I think she’s an incredible champion. Jordynne Grace, she’s just so like—just freaking strong and badass.
I feel that everyone has such a different style, and I’ll be able to learn differently in different ways, working with all of the different styles and talent and women there. And I think they’re gonna bring me up a lot in my matches and help me to become a better in-ring competitor. I really believe that. And I’m just really excited for this journey. The sky is the limit right now. And we’ll see. I’m very excited. I’m anxious, I’m nervous, but in a good way. In all the right ways, you know? They have a lot of faith in me and that makes me want to really give it my all and show up for them.
AK: You mentioned anxiety and nerves and stuff like that, and I can only imagine how you felt in your first wrestling match in a year. What was that feeling like as you’re getting ready to get in the ring and compete?
Trinity: I was a nervous, nervous wreck (laughs), but having my girls there talking to me. Bayley couldn’t be there, but just having conversations with her on FaceTime, having Tamina there, Mercedes of course. They really helped me get through that first one.
The first one was the most nerve-wracking because I felt that I was setting the tone. And so my sisters—just having that support there and reassurance it was cool. And that day, that weekend, those moments will like stick with me forever. And then have Kalisto come in to support me and then CM Punk showed up, that was cool. I got to talk to him briefly and he was there to watch and support. So all that just meant so much to me.
The doubt that I had and the fear; having all of them there for me just made me be like ‘forget all of that. They’re here for you and they’re here for a reason.’ It’s because they support and believe in me. So show up. Don’t be scared and go out there and do it. And that’s what I did and I’m so happy I did.
AK: A lot of people showed up for you, including CM Punk, as you mentioned. A lot of people were taken by surprise. Was he invited by you? What kind of things did you guys talk about?
Trinity: No, but I was very happy when I saw him. He gave me a big hug and told me to do great and that just made me feel so good.
Trinity’s Relationship With Mercedes Mone
AK: I really like that you have this great support system. I think it went a long way in terms of getting you back to where you need to be in a mental space. And your relationship with Mercedes just seems to be so special.
Trinity: Yeah, we’ve always been close and had a great working relationship, but definitely have drawn closer over the years and definitely even closer with this experience because really we just had each other through this whole ordeal. And I truly, deeply, deeply love her with all of my heart.
She is one of the most loving, caring, giving people. And she’s just had my back through this entire thing and it’s just very unfortunate. The narratives and the picture that’s been painted towards her and about her. And that’s something I really, really hate. But she’s strong. She’s a very strong, bright, smart woman and she’s still so young. She’s only 30.
She’s this little tiny woman, still very young, still has so much to prove and in her career. But I just, I admire her strength. And just to be so young and to know who you are, and what you want and where you wanna go and where you wanna be and to not apologize for that. I really love that about her. And I’m gonna always be here for her. Always. And vice versa.
AK: That’s a beautiful thing.
Trinity: Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, it’s true. That’s all true. And just to go through this journey for her not to let me go through this alone and by myself just meant everything to me. I have the support from Bayley and my other sisters and to just have the calls and the reach-outs from my girls from my other locker room. It means everything. It means everything because it’s scary.
In the world of social media, if you say the wrong thing or if you’re tied to a situation or someone who’s being blackballed at the time—I don’t know what you would call it—if there’s negativity towards this person a lot of times you don’t wanna be affiliated because it could affect you. But I didn’t feel that with the girls that I was closest with. They’ve been there for me and with me. So that’s been a huge support to help, you know, get to this point where I am now.
Trinity Talks Moving On From WWE
AK: What were some of the biggest misconceptions you felt about you or Mercedes in terms of the negativity online?
Trinity: I don’t ever wanna come off as angry, as bitter as mad. I don’t feel any of that, you know? I mean, it was just a bad situation, crazy, crazy, crazy situation with a lot of layers to it. But I love WWE. I’m thankful for all the amazing years that I’ve been there, what they’ve given me, what they’ve given to my family, what career I’ve had. I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now without that foundation and what I’ve been able to do with them and being there.
But sometimes there’s hiccups with the business and there’s issues and problems and everything just came to a head, and sadly we had to deal with it publicly. I wish it was something that could have just been handled and taken care of privately. But I definitely think a lot will good will come from the situation and has been coming out of it. I do feel good with where I am right now.
AK: I think what a lot of people are overlooking is that this is somewhat of a mental health journey for you in terms of you going through a dark period and coming out of it on the other side. What type of toll does it take on your mental health? Would it be fair to say that there was at your lowest point, a depression maybe?
Trinity: I’m really picky about using words like depression because I’ve seen people go through that I don’t think it was that. But I just knew I was hurt, very down, very sad very, very lost. Like, literally I was like ‘what just happened?’ You know what I mean? Everything was fine, I was getting through this, but boom, the day happened and all that craziness. Just the media and all of that. And then also the schedule change, going from being on the road so much to all of a sudden just being shut down and not being able to do anything. Not wanting to say anything about it.
Trinity: And it was crazy. Very, very surreal ordeal. But yeah, definitely, mentally, emotionally, it was a challenge and it took me through just about every emotion that there is to go through. But that’s life. That’s what it had come to and I’m glad I’m here now and I got through it because it definitely made me a lot stronger. It made me understand a lot more about myself, what I want, what I needed and all the things that led up to that.
Trinity Praises Jade Cargill, Talks Shoulder Injury
AK: And what did you do to take control of your mental health and become a happier person?
Trinity: Definitely, definitely support. Having a good support system around me. Just talking through it with my parents, my husband, and really just taking a step back and taking the time to figure out what I wanted and what was best. And having Mercedes there going through it with me. I didn’t feel so alone, you know?. Timing is everything. It just took time. I just needed time.
Also when all that happened, I had an injury. So also like leaving my job and then dealing with an injury and then being just so much, all the hatred that was being spewed towards me, just dealing with all of that at one time. It was a lot. But I think definitely the injury added even more stress on top of me. Like, not knowing if my body, my shoulder was gonna be able to function again.
I had shoulder surgery shortly after that and had been working through a torn labrum. So I had been wrestling on that for quite some time. But then that was very scary, just going through the rehab and all of that by myself. And not knowing if I was even gonna be able to hold up and wrestle again. It was a lot.
AK: So you thought this was a career ending injury?
Trinity: I didn’t think it was career-ending, but just with all the time that had passed. And initially it was very scary because I couldn’t even raise my arm. So I’m like ‘dang, did I make the right choice getting into surgery? Is it ever gonna like fully function right again? Am I gonna have problems with it?’ And then so much time had passed and I was like ‘man, I don’t even know if like that window is still there. I don’t even know how I feel. I feel like everyone hates me.’
It’s just, it’s crazy with your mind and how all the outside influences and things like can affect you. So first thing, I just had to cut all of that out, stop reading all the negativity and really focus on myself. And I did. I kicked out, and now I’m back. Feeling great and ready to move, ready to keep shining, ready to do my thing. And I feel like this is gonna be a great journey with IMPACT.
AK: Obviously a lot of people love you, and one of those people includes Jade Cargill. I think a lot of people were pleasantly surprised to see you and Jade hanging out at basketball game and WaleMania. Talk about your relationship with Jade.
Trinity: When everything happened, Jade was the first person to just reach out to me. I don’t remember specifically, but the gist of it was ‘I know it feels like your whole world is crumbling apart right now, but you’re gonna be okay and I’m here for you.’ And that’s really what just really touched me, and that that meant everything to me. That someone I don’t even share locker room with thought enough for me to just reach out and say that. So that kind of developed our relationship and friendship. And I have family in Atlanta. She’s up in Atlanta, so that’s kind of how all that began.
She’s just really so cool, so nice, so sweet. Very passionate about wrestling as well. And yeah, we’ve had some cool hangout moments and definitely will have more. I think she’s dope and I’m inspired by her journey and what she’s doing as well. So yeah, Jade, I consider her to be a friend.
AK: Were you surprised to hear that Jade Cargill of all people reached out? You said the first person reached out to you. Was it a surprise?
Trinity: Yeah, yeah. It was. Yes, it really was.
AK: I really hope that I see you guys somehow together on a TV screen, selfishly as a fan of both of you. I think that would be great. Was there any conversation with Tony Khan or AEW in your time away?
Trinity: Yeah, but we’ll see. We’ll see what happens, where things go. I just feel like the sky is the limit right now and, yeah, we’ll see.
Trinity Reacts To Bloodline Storyline, What She Has Learned
AK: What is the biggest thing that you’ve learned about yourself during your hiatus?
Trinity: I think for a long time I was going along to get along with everything. Like I never wanna ruffle feathers, I never wanna rock the boat, so I’ll say yes to a lot of things—even though like it may affect me or bother me or hurt me. And I just noticed that I was doing that for a very long time, to the point where everything just became too much. And not just in my professional career, but in my personal life as well and just trying to be too many things. Ultimately, it caused me to like shut down. So, I’ve learned that about myself, that moving forward to not do that and it’s okay to put myself first and it’s okay to say no to things. And if it’s right and they really care, it’ll be fine.
AK: Let’s just say hypothetically, there’s a young Black girl getting into wrestling today. Maybe she’s at the Performance Center, but she’s on day one of her wrestling journey. What would your advice to this young girl be, knowing what you know?
Trinity: Believe in yourself always. You just gotta keep believing. You just gotta keep going because it can’t get very difficult and, and hard at times. But as long as you know who you are, you’ll be fine. You can get through any of it.
AK: I know we focus so much time and the headlines are all about the lowest periods that you’ve had. What was your highest period that you had during your hiatus?
Trinity: Really the family. The family time. Like, really being able to have quality family time and not have to really watch the clock or think about how many days I got home or when I’ve got to get back on the road. And really just being able to focus on my marriage and my relationship away from the road. Like, both of us not working and one of us being home to be able to take care of home. That’s been a blessing. And yeah, just a new layer to our relationship in marriage. Because [Trinity and her husband Jimmy Uso] met at 21 in [WWE] developmental, and so our whole life has been together on the road wrestling. So this is a whole new chapter of us not being on the road together and it’s been great, and of course I support the Bloodline. I’m still watching every week and, you know, still talking to the women from my locker room and everything is good.
AK: What are your favorite parts of the Bloodline storyline? I know it’s just such an iconic storyline in the wrestling history, so how have you received it?
Trinity: I think it’s great. I think it is awesome. There’s definitely still more for them to do and layers to add to it. I would love to see a woman in there, whoever that may be, whoever she may be. And it’s just cool to see how many layers they’re adding to it and you know, what’s next. What’s next to come of this story or who’s gonna be a part of them next, or who’s gonna get kicked out next, or who’s Roman gonna be mad at next or who’s gonna, you know, it’s so much. Like, it’s really cool and I’m really happy for them and for Big Baby. I love seeing baby bro on there.
AK: Is that Solo Sikoa? (laughs)
Trinity: Yeah. I call him big baby.
AK: You’re the only one who can call him that, too. I don’t think anybody in world would have that courage to do that. Thank you. I know a lot of people wanna see what’s next with you, myself included. Thank you so much. Good luck on your journey.
Trinity: Thank you.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2023/05/05/trinity-fatu-on-impact-debut-jade-cargill-the-bloodline-and-life-after-wwe/