New Reason To Say ‘TGIF’
Aria Blake is television’s hottest rising star.
As the man who reinvented Spring Break, Joey Janela had the wrestling world in the palm of his during his debut at MLW’s version of the event. Battling Darby Allin in a “Fans Bring the Weapons” match, the “Bad Boy” bashed his opponent with whatever wasn’t nailed down. But in the debris of beach balls, coconuts and barbed wire-wrapped sharks, there was a calming presence captivating the crowd.
A ravishing redhead with enchanting eyes and a glistening smile stood in Janela’s corner: Her name is Aria Blake, and she’s about to become the hottest rising star on TV.
Graduating from the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg with a bachelor’s in mass communications, Blake is proficient in using social media to promote brands, whether it’s her own or MLW’s. She was brought into the Orlando-based company to be its social media coordinator, but her Hollywood looks and charming personality couldn’t be wasted behind the camera. The 23 year old was quickly assigned the role of backstage interviewer before she was recruited by the “Bad Boy.”
“MLW was able to use my skills as well as help me get my foot in the door and put something on my resume,” Blake told Corrigan’s Corner on Team LeftJab Radio. “It’s not the best of times to try to find a job with a mass communications degree. That’s why I’m trying to branch out and do more media, public relations, events, those types of things. It’s about finding something that works with my schedule with wrestling and MLW. I don’t want to be at a desk for 40 hours a week. I would go crazy.”
Although she is enjoying her newfound notoriety, it’s a bittersweet time for the Sunshine State starlet. Trained by Jay Lethal, she has competed all over the indie scene over the past three years, even winning the American Combat Wrestling (ACW) Women’s Championship along the way.
But in a story similar to her tag team partner Salina de la Renta, Blake was injured during WrestleMania season last year. She was on the receiving end of a German suplex that popped her shoulder out of its socket. Ever resilient, she continued the match and even went to a second show that day.
But she injured it again a month later. “I started doing physical therapy and it was better for a little while, but then it got bad in the fall and by January, it got really bad,” Blake said. An MRI revealed damage to her glenohumeral ligaments, which caused bursitis, a painful inflammation in the shoulder joint. She underwent surgery this past March and is on the four-to-five month road to recovery.
“Honestly, it’s a little difficult because I’ve never had an injury that required surgery, not even when I was cheerleading or playing soccer,” Blake said. “So it was kind of intense. The recovery has been sore and painful, but every day I’m working on getting stronger, improving my mobility and getting back to everyday functions. Even being able to wash my hair with both hands would be nice again.”
Despite being on the disabled list, Blake hasn’t slowed down her career. In addition to managing in MLW, she continues to tour the indie circuit, having recently made her announcing debut in Alabama. She has been documenting her travels via vlogging, a new passion that uses her editing skills from college. Plus, she constantly hustles on social media, selling all kinds of merchandise and engaging with her generous fans.
“Like 60% of the wrestlers I know, especially the females, have an Amazon wishlist,” Blake said. “I’ve always had them for my own self. I just put it in the bio and people like to buy me stuff.”
She and de la Renta have capitalized on their fans’ desires by forming The Spoiled Brats, a tag team described as “sugar babies.” They’ve developed a cult following and have parlayed that into Cameo, a service where customers pay for recorded birthday wishes, shout outs and other voice messages.
If you can’t get enough of their sultry tones, they’ll be commentating at The Booty Monster Benefit Show on May 11 in Port Richey, Florida. It’s a fundraiser for de la Renta’s knee surgery, which also has a GoFundMe page. “It’s going to be ridiculous,” Blake said. “We commentate on life. She legit does not shut up. It’s honestly annoying. Because I’m very introverted and extremely shy, and she is such an opposite, maybe that’s why we’re best friends and have a good balance.”
Whether she is on the road, donning a headset or cheering on the “Bad Boy,” Blake remains committed to giving 100% in every endeavor. Pro wrestling is her passion and after she returns to the ring, she’ll resume her effort in making the business her full-time career.
“It sucks being away from the ring and I do get jealous of people being able to wrestle and be healthy and be able to do the things I was able to do and wish I could do,” Blake said. “But it’s so motivating and such a driving force for me to come back and be better.”
Catch Aria Blake on MLW: Fusion every Friday on beIN Sports.
Follow Aria Blake on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. You can also spoil her via her wishlist.
You can listen to the full interview at Team Leftjab Radio.
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