The IInspiration on what they have learned in their careers, how they have developed, the ups and downs they’ve faced and much more.
The IInspiration, which consists of Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay, made their long-awaited post-WWE debuts on IMPACT Wrestling’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view this weekend, capturing the promotion’s Knockouts Tag Team Championships.
Lee and McKay, formerly known as Peyton Royce and Billie Kay in the WWE, recently spoke to Dom Smith about what they have learned in their careers since debuting in the late 2000s.
“I’ve learned so much and I know Cass has learned so much,” McKay said.
“The two biggest things that I have learned over the years are to stand up for yourself and to have thick skin. They are the two biggest things that I would want somebody else to learn very quickly.”
The pair have been friends for many years and attended the same high school in their home country Australia. Her relationship with Lee is something that McKay feels has “blessed” her through tough times.
“Luckily I have been blessed to have Cassie by my side. Having a support system is [important]. If you can have that one person that you can rely on and they have your back it makes all the difference.”
She went on to say how the industry comes with its ups and downs and it’s about dealing with them accordingly.
“Wrestling as a business there’s always going to be ups and downs and that’s just life.” She said.
“It’s just learning how to ride that wave, which is something that somebody told us early on in our careers, just keep riding the wave because there’s always something new happening and it’s kind of this Ferris wheel – it just keeps on turning and turning and turning.”
These sentiments were shared by her partner Lee with the 28-year-old saying it wasn’t until they gained experience in wrestling that they learned how important having a thick skin is.
“I agree with all of that [being thickly skinned] and that’s something that I had to learn and that was really hard to learn actually because when Jess and I came into the industry, did we have thick skin? No, it was very thin and I feel you really don’t learn that until you get in the field and you’re working and you’re practicing.”
Lee finished by expressing how she’s grateful to have McKay by her side when she needs support during the ups and downs in her career and how important growth is.
“I’m so glad that’s something we’ve been able to support each other through and like you said, grow. It’s all about growth.”
The IInspiration’s capture of the IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Titles makes them the only duo to ever win both the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and the previously mentioned belts.
Interview by Dom Smith / Written by Aiden Beswick (@ABeswickSport)
