From potential tattoos to heartfelt returns and hard-won Hollywood respect, three of WWE’s most talked-about names — Stephanie McMahon, Aleister Black, and Batista — have opened up in recent interviews, offering fans an inside look at the emotional and personal journeys behind their larger-than-life personas.
Stephanie McMahon’s Almost-Tattoo: “I’m Tatted on the Inside”
In a revealing episode of her podcast What’s Your Story?, former WWE Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon reflected on a tattoo she nearly got — and why she’s glad she didn’t follow through.
“When I was younger, I wanted a tattoo and I was going to get the WWF logo,” Stephanie said with a laugh. “Thank God I didn’t do that. I’d be like a walking billboard if I had all the different logos that have evolved over time.”
She explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, she briefly reconsidered getting a tattoo — this time, a design that would honor her three daughters. But her concerns over how her body might react to the ink kept her from making it permanent.
“I’m tatted on the inside,” she quipped, emphasizing that her deepest commitments — to family, legacy, and WWE — don’t need to be marked on her skin to be meaningful.
Her guest, rising WWE star Dominik Mysterio, shared a different path: he got his first tattoo at just 15 years old, setting him on a journey of physical expression that contrasts Stephanie’s internal one.
Aleister Black: “It Felt Like Coming Home”
After a successful run in AEW, Aleister Black has returned to the company where he made his name — and he’s calling it a true homecoming.
In an emotional and introspective interview with The Atomic Drop, Black described his return to WWE on the SmackDown following WrestleMania 41 as both nerve-wracking and deeply affirming.
“I was very nervous,” he admitted. “But then I realized everything felt the same — in the most positive sense — and I was like, why are you so nervous? You know all these people.”
Black shared that the return felt “organic,” highlighting his longstanding relationships with Triple H, Nick Khan, and the locker room — a culture he praises for its camaraderie and professionalism.
“WWE is its own world,” he said. “Nothing is like WWE. No locker room I’ve ever been in compares… This time around, it’s even better. It truly felt like coming home.”
Black’s renewed run in WWE will kick off with a marquee appearance at WWE Clash in Paris, and fans can expect him to bring a mix of the mystique and intensity that made him a standout in his first run.
Batista on Hollywood: “I Had to Earn That Respect”
Meanwhile, former WWE Champion and Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista (Batista) continues to carve out a legacy beyond the squared circle. In a recent Sports Illustrated interview, Batista opened up about his journey from powerhouse wrestler to critically respected actor — a transition that, he says, wasn’t easy.
“Just like in WWE, I had to earn that respect in film,” Batista said. “I didn’t want to be a movie star. I wanted to be an actor. I didn’t want to be famous for being famous. I wanted to be taken seriously.”
Batista’s roles in films like Blade Runner 2049, Dune, and Knock at the Cabin have shown audiences and critics that he’s more than just muscle — he’s a performer with depth, vulnerability, and serious acting chops.
While many of his peers have dabbled in acting, Batista’s passion and pursuit of artistic credibility have set him apart — something he takes great pride in.
From Ring Ropes to Real Life
Whether it’s reflecting on a tattoo never inked, returning to a locker room that feels like family, or fighting to be recognized on a new stage, these stories show that WWE’s biggest names are always evolving — inside and outside the ring.
And in each case, their paths remind fans of a simple truth: the greatest battles aren’t always the ones we see on camera — they’re the ones fought in silence, self-reflection, and personal reinvention.
Related topics: