Valkyrie says AEW is a disruptor by embracing international talent

Taya Valkyrie, an international wrestler who competes for All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor, said during a recent appearance on the Women's Wrestling Talk podcast that AEW has positioned itself as a disruptor in professional wrestling by taking creative risks and showcasing talent from outside the traditional U.S. development system. Valkyrie credited AEW and its president, Tony Khan, with changing how fans experience the sport by bringing in performers from international promotions and the independent circuit and by embracing a grittier, risk-tolerant style.

"Heres the thing. AEW to me is the disruptor," Valkyrie said on the podcast. "They came in and shook the cage a little bit and made people see this thing, which is pro wrestling, from a different perspective." She added, "We're grittier, we're not afraid to take risks, and Tony is not scared to disrupt and to make people enjoy wrestling and see it from a different perspective."

Valkyrie has worked across multiple promotions. She briefly wrestled in WWE's NXT under the name Franky Monet in 2021 and later joined AEW in 2023. She has held championships in Mexico and Impact Wrestling and has been active in Ring of Honor...