Red Velvet has carved out an uncommon trajectory within All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH), marked by several memorable moments. Although she has not been positioned as a leading star, Velvet participated in significant events including the notable 2021 Dynamite encounter featuring Shaquille O’Neal. Furthermore, she delivered a surprising victory over Mercedes Mone at ROH Final Battle 2025, reclaiming the ROH Women’s TV Championship in the process. These milestones highlight the twists and turns of her wrestling journey.
Early Challenges and Key Influences During Her AEW Start
Red Velvet candidly discussed her beginnings in AEW while appearing on Close Up with Renee Paquette. She began as an enhancement talent through the pandemic, entering the promotion with limited experience. Velvet credited prominent figures such as Bryan Danielson, Cody, Brandi, and Dustin Rhodes with offering guidance that proved crucial to her career development. The support helped her navigate what she described as feeling somewhat overwhelmed when joining AEW six years ago.
Reflecting on her initial period, Velvet admitted,
“I was a baby. And a baby not necessarily in age, just in like wrestling for a big company on TV. I thought I had to figure it out. I don’t want to go on record and say I didn’t know what I was doing, but I didn’t know what I was doing. In a sense, I thought I knew.”
This honesty reveals both the pressure she faced and her early uncertainty in adapting to a larger platform.
Growth and Connection with the AEW Audience
Over time, Velvet’s presence evolved as fans witnessed her progress on a national stage. She acknowledged that her journey was marked by both successes and setbacks, including moments of injury and performance errors. Speaking about her experience, she noted,
“But I just…I learned so much. The world got to see me for the first time on big TV. People got to see who Red Velvet was. They saw a lot of my good moments, a lot of my bad moments. And I said bad, I’m just like, you know, growth and little injuries and botches and stuff. So I’ve grown with the AEW audience.”
This statement emphasizes her commitment to growth and her acceptance of imperfection as part of that process.
What Red Velvet’s Journey Means for Her Future
Red Velvet’s development from a relatively inexperienced competitor to a title-winning performer underlines the importance of mentorship and resilience in professional wrestling. Her experiences demonstrate that even wrestlers who start in supporting roles can rise to prominence through consistent effort and learning. As she continues to evolve within AEW and ROH, Velvet’s story offers inspiration for others pursuing similar paths in the sport.
