WWE NXT wrestler Zaria shared insights into her career beginnings, visa challenges, and aspirations during an interview with Gerard Whateley. The Australian powerhouse discussed her delayed move to the United States and parallels with fellow Aussie star Rhea Ripley. She also expressed hope to perform for WWE in her home country.
Zaria, who joined WWE after a tryout during Elimination Chamber week in Australia in early February 2024, faced unexpected delays in relocating to the US due to visa issues. She reported to NXT in Orlando in August 2024, later than anticipated. In an interview with Gerard Whateley recorded before a recent episode of WWE NXT, Zaria explained, “I didn’t move to Orlando until August of 2024, and I had my tryout, I believe it was the beginning of February of 2024. So I thought I would have to have moved in June or July, but there were like some visa issues. So it gave me a little bit longer to be in Australia. So, I had about, what is that? Like four or five months where I was able to just sort of wrap things up in Australia and just wrap my head around the fact that I’d be living in America in the WWE.”
Zaria's entry into professional wrestling was inspired by her older brother, Dean Brady, a wrestler who began his career at age 18 in Riot City Wrestling (RCW). She first watched him wrestle live after five years of his experience, an event that solidified her passion. “He’s the one that got me into wrestling... and it just absolutely blew me away, and I knew right then and there was when I wanted to become a wrestler,” she said. Competing on the Australian independent scene as DELTA, Zaria even tagged with her brother, creating “fantastic memories” despite sibling rivalries.
Drawing parallels to Rhea Ripley, another Australian powerhouse who started in RCW, Zaria sees their careers as aligned but timed differently. “I feel like both her and I are on the same paths, just at different times... knowing that that could potentially be my future like it honestly like it makes me work harder more than ever,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Zaria hopes to wrestle for WWE in Australia, especially with the company's increased visits, including Elimination Chamber 2024 and events in 2025. “Every time I hear that WWE is coming to Australia, my fingers are crossed to get onto one of those shows. I would love nothing more than to wrestle in Australia again,” she stated.
