Britt Baker didn’t have much time to prepare for her return to AEW.
At Forbidden Door on June 30th, Britt Baker made a surprise return to All Elite Wrestling for the first time in ten months. After Mercedes Mone successfully defeated Stephanie Vaquer to retain the TBS Championship and capture the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship, Baker confronted the double champ, staring her down from the ramp.
On the following episode of Dynamite, Britt Baker opened up about her absence from AEW, revealing that she’d suffered a TIA and ended up in the hospital. Mone interrupted this promo to begin her championship celebration, and the two women are now set to face off at All In inside Wembley Stadium in August.
Speaking in a new interview with Renee Paquette on Up Close, Baker revealed that she didn’t have time to prepare for her return as it came together last-minute, a fact she wouldn’t change.
“It all came together very last minute. It was cemented the night before. I didn’t have time to prepare anything. It was very off to the races. I wouldn’t change that because nobody knew. I was at home and with my family.”
“I Wouldn’t Change Anything About It” – Britt Baker On AEW Return
Continuing, Baker explained that having little time for preparation kept her return from being leaked and also kept her from overthinking as she was very nervous.
“It was very scattered, but I wouldn’t change anything about it. You don’t have to overthink it, it didn’t get leaked, which is so hard in wrestling. It’s so frustrating that everything gets spoiled. I didn’t tell anybody—none of my best friends. I was a nervous wreck. ‘They’re not going to care. No one is going to give a shit that I’m here because AEW has surpassed me.’ That’s such a horrible feeling. The fear of rejection is worse than the rejection itself.”
Despite being anxious ahead of her return, Baker said instinct took over when she got in front of the crowd.
“I had goosebumps. It’s cliche, but you kind of blackout for a second. You lose all sensation. Your mind doesn’t work. I was afraid my legs weren’t going to work and I wasn’t going to be able to walk through the tunnel because I was so nervous. Then, it’s the instinct that when your music hits and you hear the crowd when they boo or cheer, as soon as you hear that, it’s all the fuel you need, and here we are. DMD, we’re back.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Britt Baker explained why Mercedes Mone coming into AEW is positive for the company.
h/t Fightful