Aliyah maps multi-promotion plan, eyes Middle East return

Aliyah, the former WWE star and the first Arab woman to main event SmackDown, has outlined a clear and evolving plan for her wrestling career. In a pair of extensive interviews, she looked back on milestone moments, described the challenges of development, and laid out a vision that includes a return to WWE or a run in other major promotions, alongside a long-term goal of performing in the Middle East.

Her record-breaking 3.17-second victory remains a signature moment, she noted, not merely for the time on the clock but for what it signified about audience connection. “I wasn’t their main star, the one they were actively trying to highlight,” she said. “So the fact that I did what I did and got the reaction I got? That just goes to show the crowd connected with me for what I represented. I was the one-of-one, and that’s powerful.” She emphasized that authenticity and persistence can resonate more deeply than wins or positioning on the card.

Aliyah also recalled the significance of breaking barriers as the first Arab woman to main event SmackDown and the impact it had on aspiring performers from similar backgrounds. She described the resonance her presence has had for...