Lee then briefly thanked McMahon for her compliment and acknowledging her role in the “women’s evolution” in pro wrestling, expressing that change doesn’t happen unless there’s sacrifice. “You have to be willing to lose everything to get what you want,” she said. “And I feel like that, in every aspect of life, like you playing it safe doesn’t work. Playing it safe might get you a safe life, but I don’t know if it gives you an exceptional life.”

She further expressed that she felt that her actions would ultimately be worth it, despite any of the backlash she knew she’d face afterwards. “But I thought you were cool after,” Lee added in regard to McMahon. “Everyone was pretty chill, like it was like business, and I appreciated that. But you know? It was a rough time.”

“I’m sure everyone can read into it however they wanted, but it was so important,” McMahon said. “It was a really important public-facing step.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “What’s Your Story?” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.