Trinity Fatu (former WWE Superstar Naomi) made her debut at Friday night’s IMPACT Wrestling TV tapings, which were held at Cicero Stadium, just outside of Chicago, IL.
In an interview with NBC 5 in Chicago, Fatu said she is excited to step into her new chapter with IMPACT. Her debut with the promotion marked the first time she has returned to pro wrestling since May 2022. She and her then tag team partner, Sasha Banks (now Mercedes Mone’ in NJPW), walked out of the May 16, 2022 episode of WWE Raw over what was said to have been creative differences and lack of respect as the company’s Women’s Tag Team Champions. Both women were suspended and stripped of the belts.
With IMPACT, Fatu’s new wrestling name will just simply be “Trinity.” She also told NBC Chicago she’s now in a place where she feels welcome and with the all the love she’s has received, it has been overwhelming.
“Being back in wrestling and being with my pack in a place where I feel so welcome and just for the opportunity and just receiving all the love, it was very, very overwhelming. And I really felt it in my heart like I really did. I couldn’t even hide the emotion.”
Fatu further noted that she chose IMPACT Wrestling due to the promotion’s history with one of the best women’s divisions. She also went on to say walking out of WWE last May was a “blessing disguise” and the experience was for the better.
“I feel like it was a blessing in disguise. I feel that it’s allowed me to to grow and become better in every way, in every aspect. Show me how strong I really am. And now I’ve got this new journey ahead of me, these new goals, and I’m excited and ready to step into this new chapter.”
The two-night “Spring Slugfest” television tapings at Cicero Stadium continues tonight, with Fatu making her in-ring debut with IMPACT Wrestling as she faces KiLynn King. That match is expected to air during the the May 11 episode of IMPACT Wrestling on AXS TV.
IMPACT Wrestling will return to Cicero Stadium on July 28 and 29 for “Chicago Heat” TV tapings and again for their Bound for Glory PPV on October 21 and the next night for the fallout TV tapings from the PPV.
You can watch the entire interview with Fatu above.