Kacy Catanzaro, known by WWE fans as Katana Chance, discussed her unforgettable entrance during the WWE Royal Rumble 2019 in a candid conversation with Chris Van Vliet. Her Kacy Catanzaro WWE Royal Rumble 2019 debut experience marked a turning point in her professional wrestling career, showcasing not only her incredible athleticism but also her ability to handle immense pressure, even as a relative newcomer to the big stage.
Navigating Nerves and Awe on Wrestling’s Biggest Night
Catanzaro recalled that she had only spent a year at the Performance Center before being selected, alongside several other NXT talents, to step into the Royal Rumble spotlight. While she was still finding her footing and had little live television experience, the magnitude of the event and the energy in the arena left a huge impact on her.
“That was really, really cool. I had only been at the Performance Center for a year at that time, and there was about five or six of us from NXT that got to go and do the Royal Rumble. So that was my first really huge thing. I really wasn’t even doing NXT TV at the time. Honestly, I didn’t have much experience. So the Royal Rumble was, I remember when my number got called and I walked out, I think I actually did a full spin. When I walked out, I looked around, and then I was like, Okay, you need to go. I almost forgot where I was. I was in such awe of the arena and how many people were there, and the excitement and the energy. I was like, oh my God, this is what people feel like. This is why people love this. I hadn’t had any really cool experiences yet, I was just grinding at the PC. So I was like, Oh my gosh, I get it, this is incredible, this feeling. I get what this feeling is now. So I feel like that was my first understanding of how huge it could be. It was really fun to be in it, to be in there with all the women and people I looked up to, legends and stuff like that.”
—Kacy Catanzaro, Former WWE Star
Her description of stepping into the arena painted a picture of excitement mixed with overwhelming nerves. Looking around at the massive crowd, Catanzaro found herself momentarily frozen in awe before the pulse of the event reminded her to move forward and seize the moment among wrestling veterans and personal heroes.
Gratitude for a Career-Defining Moment
Years after the match, Catanzaro remains appreciative of what that night meant for her trajectory in professional wrestling. She recognizes how her performance, particularly the remarkable handstand save, continues to resonate with fans and stands as a cherished memory in her WWE journey.
“I am so grateful for that moment. Because another thing that people will bring up is that was literally seven years ago, something like that. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing that I haven’t done anything that cool since, or was it just that cool, but people still will be like, Oh, yeah, your Rumble save was so cool. So I’m really grateful to at least have some really cool staple moments that people can kind of remember.”
—Kacy Catanzaro, Former WWE Star
For Catanzaro, the Royal Rumble remains a career highlight, giving her a “cool staple moment” that not only fans continue to associate with her, but which also stands out in the crowded landscape of memorable WWE appearances.
The Handstand That Captivated the Arena
One of Catanzaro’s most discussed feats from the Royal Rumble was her spectacular use of a handstand to avoid elimination. She revealed the physical and mental preparation required for such an act, explaining the pressure of performing a unique move flawlessly in front of thousands. Catanzaro also outlined the importance of planning for unexpected mishaps and having back-up strategies, proving both her gymnastic prowess and her ring smarts.
“So right now, yes I can walk on my hands. But will it take me one or two tries to get it perfect? Probably. I can do it, but you never know if you are going to lean too much. So I remember when it happened, I had to have a backup plan. If this doesn’t go perfect, my feet can’t touch. So how do I save this if that happens? So when I do it, I do a back roll to get up to kick up into a handstand. I had always said, okay, if I’m walking and I fall, I just have to fall into a roll where I land on my back and my feet still don’t touch so that I can shimmy around to something else and do it. Because that’s the other thing too about being in front of a big crowd. I could have done 1 million good handstands in my whole life, and it does not make me not nervous to go out in front of thousands and thousands of people and do a handstand and not screw it up. It’s one of my favourite moments.”
—Kacy Catanzaro, Former WWE Star
The risk and reward of her athletic display were evident: the live crowd, consisting of WWE fans that filled the arena with anticipation, witnessed an act that instantly turned into a defining highlight in Royal Rumble history. Catanzaro’s preparedness and ability to adapt under pressure solidified her status as an athlete who thrives on big moments.
Kacy Catanzaro’s Lasting Legacy in WWE
Catanzaro’s WWE Royal Rumble 2019 debut experience, highlighted by her iconic handstand save, continues to spark admiration among fans and wrestling professionals alike. Her willingness to push boundaries at the Performance Center and in front of massive crowds at venues like the Royal Rumble arena illustrates not only her passion and energy but also her perseverance in the face of daunting odds. As part of a notable group from NXT entering the WWE main roster spotlight, Catanzaro’s defining moment stands as inspiration for newcomers, reminding audiences of the excitement that unpredictability and determination can bring to the world of sports entertainment.
