Marina Shafir had more to fight through than just her ROH Womens Title match against Athenashe says a former male coworker physically attacked her in the gym that same morning. During an episode of Rulebreakers with Saraya, Shafir opened up about a disturbing incident that left her bruised, bleeding, and furiousjust hours before performing on live television.
Sticking to her strict pre-show workout, Shafir was in the middle of her treadmill warm-up when a man she recognized from her MMA gym days in Tampa jumped on the treadmill next to her and tried to mirror her routine. It didnt go well.
Shafir left the room to continue stretching in private. Thats when things escalated. While sipping water, she says the man ran up and violently shoved her from behind, causing her to hit the wall and cut her gums.
Two AEW colleagues witnessed the incident but froze.
Shafir responded instinctively, using her MMA background to shut the man down.
Then she let him know she wasnt playing.
Despite being shaken, she offered him a towelbut his response was just as strange.
Shafir reflected on how professionalism can often be misread as weakness.
She immediately left a voice message for her husband, AEW star Roderick Strong. I cannot believe Im about to tell you this His response? Are you [expletive] serious? Hes so [expletive] lucky I wasnt there.
Even Ricky Starks walked into the gym moments later and, seeing the aftermath, joked, Oh [expletive], youre going to be fired.
Still, Marina pulled herself together and got through show day like a pro.
Marina Shafirs story isnt just shockingits a reminder of how even the strongest among us arent immune from being harassed, disrespected, or pushed to the edge.
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