WWE’s new Netflix series, Unreal, is offering fans an unprecedented glimpse behind the scenes, but not all wrestlers are pleased with this exposure. During a recent interview on Going Ringside, Lyra Valkyria expressed discomfort about how much personal content the show reveals, sharing her conflicted feelings about opening up to the public through this raw footage.
Lyra Reflects on Her Vulnerability in Front of the Cameras
While the series draws fans closer to the wrestlers’ real lives, Lyra admitted she finds it difficult to be so exposed.
“It’s crazy really now that we’re pulling back the curtain… the world got a very good insight into who I am,”
she confessed. She explained that the character Lyra is carefully crafted for public presentation, and unveiling more of her true self, Aoife, felt unusual and uneasy.
“I don’t even know how I feel about it to be honest… I’m so used to—the whole reason I am Lyra is because I’m someone on the show, and that’s who I choose to show the world.”
The Challenge of Unscripted Moments Caught on Camera
Lyra emphasized the contrast between WWE’s usual controlled environment and the authenticity captured by Unreal’s cameras. She described being filmed immediately after challenging moments where the outcome wasn’t in her favor, highlighting the strain of revealing her unguarded emotions.
“To have had, you know, a camera right after a very huge moment that didn’t necessarily go my way… to be speaking as Aoife is really weird.”
She also reflected on WWE’s typical approach, where every element is meticulously planned, unlike the spontaneous filming on this series.
“I like to feel in control of what I put out there. It’s all thought out. Everything we do on TV is thought of. So, to have all these cameras in the back now—it’s really raw.”
Mixed Reactions Within WWE Leadership and Fans
Even WWE’s leadership has expressed hesitation about the series. Lyra shared that Paul Heyman, a prominent figure in the company, voiced his discomfort with the concept, revealing not everyone supports this level of transparency.
“Even Paul Heyman says, ‘I don’t like this idea.’ That pretty much tells the viewers right there not everyone’s on board.”
Despite this, Lyra acknowledged a silver lining — the audience has connected with her on a deeper level through the series.
“Our whole point is to make a connection with people, and people seem to have connected with me over Season 2 of Unreal. So I guess that’s a very good side of it as well.”
WWE Unreal’s Bold Shift Toward Transparency in Wrestling
The reactions from Lyra Valkyria and Paul Heyman highlight the tension between preserving the scripted nature of professional wrestling and embracing realism through behind-the-scenes storytelling. WWE Unreal challenges the traditional boundaries between performance and reality, drawing fans closer while prompting talent to reconsider how much of their private selves they want to reveal publicly. As this approach continues, it will be crucial to watch how both the wrestlers and viewers adapt to WWE’s blend of entertainment and authenticity.
