Viva Van has shared insights into her path to
All Elite Wrestling (AEW), her reaction to signing with the company, and the determination that fueled her journey.
Viva Van’s Road to AEW
Since making her first
AEW appearance in 2021, Van has competed on AEW programming multiple times. However, it wasn’t until early 2024 that she officially signed with the promotion. Speaking on "AEW Unrestricted," Van revealed just how much the moment meant to her.
"First, I celebrated with my boyfriend and then with my family. What it means to me? The world. I've been training in wrestling for eight years and working for seven. It just felt like all the hard work finally paid off."
Despite her consistent appearances, she often questioned what more she needed to do to secure a contract.
"For a few years, I was like, 'Man, what do I got to do? I mean, I feel like I'm on the same show with everybody, except, you know, I just don't have a contract yet.' But I kept telling myself, 'not yet,' and I think that's what kept me going."
Friendships That Helped Along the Way
Van credits her
strong relationships with AEW talent as a key factor in finally securing a contract.
"A lot of the girls I've known, even way before AEW, have all worked together on the indies. I think that's what helped a lot — just building friendships throughout the years. A lot of the girls would tell me the same thing that Aubrey [Edwards] would tell me, 'I don't know why you're not here yet. I don't know how you're not officially here yet.' And I would just say, 'I don't know. I don't know.'"
Proving Herself to Tony Khan
One of the
defining moments that may have solidified her spot in AEW came during AEW x Adult Swim’s "Battle for the Booty" event. Van agreed to dress as Fang from Adult Swim and teamed with Vinnie Massaro (as Meatwad) in a tag match against Johnny TV and Taya Valkyrie. She believes this moment helped prove to AEW CEO Tony Khan that she was willing to go the extra mile to secure a place in the company.
