Though Lola Vice is still relatively new to her WWE career, having wrestled her first televised match for the promotion in January of 2023, the former MMA fighter has rapidly turned herself into one of the hottest names in the developmental system, winning the latest running of the Women's Breakout Tournament and earning a new Premium Live Event showcase match at Battleground, where she will wrestle multi-time champion Shayna Baszler in an NXT Underground match at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Discussing her forthcoming match and everything that comes along with it in an interview with TV Insider, Vice celebrated getting to learn under Baszler firsthand so early in her WWE career, as even though they are about to fight, her influence has proven valuable all the same.

“I got inspiration from Shayna Baszler. She is someone I watched coming into this company. I watch her a lot,” Lola Vice told TV Insider. “She was the most dominant NXT women's champion we've had. I've studied her a lot. I brought her back to NXT to train for my fight against Natalya, It's a shame she never let me be myself. I feel like she is jealous of me, and I have to prove a point to her.”

Vice also commented on her relationship with Natalya, noting that she's been excited to learn from the “BOAT” in NXT too.

“When I did an open challenge, and Natalya answered the call, I was honored because she is such a staple in WWE. She has been around for so many years and has so much experience,” Vice added. “I know she thinks I think I'm better than everyone else and maybe don't respect her now. I actually do respect her, but I also have to remind you I came from MMA. The cage. So, I had to prove to her I was tough. Yes, pro wrestling might not be my world like hers, but the Underground was my world. I think working with Natalya elevated me a lot. I got a lot from her. I did beat her and knocked her out in the Underground, but I'll always remember the times in the ring with her and what she has done in this company.”

After securing a win over Natalya in an NXT Underground match back in April, Vice is looking to double down on her efforts in Las Vegas this weekend against Baszler in the town UFC built, vying not just for the win but also for the moniker of the best MMA transplant into the WWE Universe. If Shawn Michaels and company want to make Battleground feel special and get over Vice even further, a win over the “Queen of Spades” would be just what the doctor ordered.

Lola Vice comments on transitioning from MMA to WWE.

Elsewhere in her conversation with TV Insider, Lola Vice commented on moving from the octagon to the squared circle, and why she feels she might actually be a better fit in wrestling than her former pursuit.

“I think the moment I saw WrestleMania I fell in love with WWE. Also, when I started training there I just knew this was what I was born to do. I think a moment in my career so far that solidified what I offered to this company was the Breakout Tournament. When I won, I showed them why I am Lola Vice. It gave me the confidence moving forward to challenge all these women, especially Natalya. To be the first woman in NXT to do an NXT Underground match was a big accomplishment for me. And on Sunday I'm going to do it again against Shayna Baszler,” Lola Vice explained.

“I built my brand in WWE. Then when I got to WWE, I felt I built it from scratch, to be honest with you. I didn't know how my fans were going to transition from MMA to WWE. They followed me, and loved me, and watched me Tuesday nights. I realized they weren't just watching me in MMA for my skills but for who I was. Now that I'm in WWE I'm even more of myself here because I have the opportunity to be. The fans really relate to me because I haven't changed a bit. I've never let anyone tell me what I can and can't be.”

Is NXT Battleground when Vice finally capitalizes on her potential and becomes a certified Superstar in the WWE Universe? Only time will tell, but after building herself up outside of WWE Universe and HBK pushing her potential in NXT, the timing might be right for a star-making performance.