Naomi Addresses Walking Out of WWE Back in 2022

Naomi finally opened up about the decision that shook WWE fans in 2022—her walkout from the company—and revealed how the experience reshaped her life and career.

Speaking on the “What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon” podcast, the WWE Superstar gave a raw look into the mental and emotional toll of stepping away from the spotlight. Naomi explained that leaving WWE was the first time she truly paused to reevaluate everything.

“When the walkout happened, I think that was the first time in my adult life where I had the chance to stop, rethink, redefine, and figure out what I really wanted next and how I wanted my life to move forward. In the beginning, I really struggled to process that. I thought I didn’t want to wrestle anymore and that I was done. [Jimmy Uso] was also in a different place in his career. He was in the thick of Bloodline.”

While her husband Jimmy Uso was thriving in The Bloodline storyline, Naomi found herself battling alone—but it turned out to be a turning point for her personal growth.

“It was such a crazy time. He did such a great job. I also had to go through a lot emotionally and mentally on my own because he had his own stuff going on. That was the first time where I had to do the work on myself. It was great. It made me stronger. It re-lit a fire in me. I became a lot more confident in myself because I didn’t have him to reassure me on things about work. I thought I grew so much through that and the time period when I was gone. When I came back, I was ready, I was refreshed, and I was intentional on what I wanted this time to be like. I focused, I locked in, and I worked hard. It paid off.”

Naomi also spoke about undergoing shoulder surgery during her hiatus, and how the physical and emotional setback led to a powerful realization.

“It gave me a whole new appreciation. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Me, being home, I went through a shoulder surgery. Just physically, I feel like it was taken away from me. I thought maybe I was ready to transition into a different part of life, but in that moment, I realized, ‘Oh no. I ain’t done yet. There is still more in me. There is still more I want to do. There is still more I have to do. I don’t want it to end this way.’ Even through all the messiness of that, the beautiful part of it was me fighting through that, pushing through that, and wanting to prove that there is more for me to do and accomplish. Not just in wrestling, but as a woman and someone going through a difficult time.”

Naomi’s walkout may have shocked the wrestling world, but what came out of it was personal evolution, strength, and a renewed purpose. She’s not just back—she’s on a mission.

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