Naomi Credits Becky Lynch for Proving Motherhood Doesn’t End a Wrestling Career

Naomi addresses the taboo around women returning to the ring post motherhood, speaking out amid rumors of a pregnancy-related hiatus.

Naomi Credits Becky Lynch for Proving Motherhood Doesn’t End a Wrestling Career

Naomi. Jimmy Uso and Stephanie McMahon (via WWE and What's Your Story podcast)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

On last week’s episode of Monday Night Raw, Naomi was slated to defend her Women’s World Championship in a highly anticipated clash against Iyo Sky. However, the match was abruptly scrapped, with WWE announcing via social media that the champion was not cleared to compete. The sudden cancellation instantly set off a wave of speculation about a possible injury. Instead of the advertised title defense, Sky squared off against Roxanne Perez in singles action. 

The bout ended with Perez earning the victory after interference from Sky’s former Damage CTRL allies, Asuka and Kairi Sane, backfired. According to Fightful Select, WWE kept details regarding Naomi’s absence under tight wraps, with many wrestlers backstage unaware of the reason behind it. Curiously, Naomi was still spotted backstage at the event despite not stepping into the ring. 

For now, she remains advertised to defend her championship against Stephanie Vaquer on August 31 at Clash in Paris after successfully winning at SummerSlam, but the plans are uncertain at the moment. That apprehension only grew as whispers spread backstage that Naomi might be pregnant. Wrestling Observer Live’s Brian Alvarez confirmed that this was indeed a rumor circulating within the company. 

While he refrained from sharing specifics, Alvarez hinted that if the rumor proved true, ‘The Glow’ could be out of action for a long time. Fuel was added to the fire when Naomi and Jimmy Uso appeared on Stephanie McMahon’s What’s Your Story podcast. During the conversation, Naomi spoke candidly about the long-standing stigma around pregnancy in women’s wrestling and how it once meant the end of a career.

The women, I always felt like I had this time crunch on me. But now the women are showing, and I really feel like, if I wanted to stop and go have a baby, we can do it… 16 years ago, you didn’t feel like you could do that. That’s for sure. I feel like it was a wrap. Yeah, baby, you’re done.

Naomi via What’s Your Story podcast

She went on to credit Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus for breaking barriers and proving that motherhood doesn’t have to end a wrestling career.

She inspires me, yeah, especially now, Becky. They’re doing it so gracefully… and it is hard, it is, it’s not easy. I see the lows, but they get through it, and they’re better for it, and they’re inspiring so many women, and I think that’s just incredible.

Naomi via What’s Your Story podcast

McMahon also took a moment to commend Naomi for being an inspiration in her own right. In recent years, motherhood has become a more visible part of WWE’s women’s division. Lynch famously relinquished the Raw Women’s Championship to Asuka in 2020 before announcing her pregnancy, later returning to capture more gold. 

Alexa Bliss stepped away for two years, welcomed her first child in 2023, and made her in-ring comeback at the 2025 Royal Rumble. For those unfamiliar, Naomi has been married to Jimmy Uso since 2014. While Uso has two children from a previous relationship, the couple has largely kept their personal life private, making the recent wave of speculation all the more intense.

Naomi weighs in on her infamous departure from WWE in May 2022

Following her comments on the rumored pregnancy, Naomi also reflected on a pivotal moment in her career back in 2022. Speaking in the same interview with McMahon, the Women’s World Champion looked back on her journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. 

Naomi and Sasha Banks
Naomi and Sasha Banks (via WWE)

She recalled walking out of WWE in May 2022 alongside Mercedes Moné (then Sasha Banks) over frustrations with their creative direction and treatment, admitting the experience forced her to step back and reevaluate her future.

I think when the walkout and all of that happened, I think that was the first time, honestly, in my adult life, where I had the chance to stop, rethink, redefine, and figure out what I really wanted next, how I wanted my life to move forward from this. And I really, in the beginning, struggled trying to process that. I thought I didn’t want to wrestle anymore. I thought I was done.

Naomi via What’s Your Story podcast

Naomi’s path back to WWE was far from straightforward. After a stint in TNA where she reigned as the Knockouts title holder, ‘The Glow’ fought her way back to the company, turned heel, and now reigns as the Women’s World Champion, a remarkable turnaround given how differently things could have played out. 

During her hiatus, Jimmy Uso was fully immersed in the Bloodline storyline, leaving Naomi to face her challenges on her own. That time away became a period of self-growth, reigniting her passion and sharpening her focus. She made a triumphant return at the 2024 Royal Rumble and has been unstoppable ever since.

Also read: