Alex Windsor, a rising star in All Elite Wrestling, once reached a breaking point early in her career, a moment so brutal she wanted to vanish from the wrestling world entirely. It wasn’t a glamorous televised match, but a chaotic night on the UK independent circuit around 2012 that nearly ended her journey before it truly began.
Windsor recalls a show where she found herself unexpectedly booked for three matches, with little time for preparation. The second bout quickly spiraled into a “stshow,” as she bluntly describes it. A series of mishaps and a particularly jarring impact left her winded and lying in the ring, consumed by a single, desperate thought: “I’ve fking had enough of this.”
The feeling was overwhelming. She vividly remembers contemplating crawling behind the curtain, wanting nothing more than to escape and “never be seen again.” Despite the urge to quit, she somehow finished the match, a portion of it now lost to her memory, seemingly erased as a self-preservation tactic.
Her path to AEW wasn’t a lifelong passion fueled by childhood fandom. Surprisingly, Windsor never watched wrestling growing up, barely knowing who Hulk Hogan was. She stumbled into the world as a performer, drawn to the unique blend of athleticism and drama that captivated her during school.
Training with the renowned Knight family – including former WWE and AEW star Paige – was a demanding experience. “It was tough, I won’t lie,” she admits, but acknowledges it forged the foundation of her skills and resilience. “Everyone starts somewhere, and that’s where I started.”
Windsor’s dedication led her to Japan, where she honed her craft and developed a reputation for her intensity and skill. This journey culminated in a dream come true: signing with AEW and performing at London’s O2 arena. “I feel like I have been thrown in at the deep end,” she says, “But sometimes that’s better, because I’m learning everything as I go.”
Currently, Windsor is navigating the challenges of a long-distance relationship while her fiancé, Will Ospreay, recovers from a serious neck surgery. He faced his fears before the operation, and Windsor is optimistic about his return. “He’s doing so well… smashing it,” she shares with a smile. “I have no doubt about it in my mind he’ll be back better than ever.”
The couple anticipates a future where they can finally work together consistently and travel as a team. However, watching Ospreay perform brings a different kind of anxiety. “I don’t feel like I have half as much angst about myself as I do when I’m watching Will do his stuff,” she confesses, admitting she can only offer hopeful encouragement rather than requests for safer maneuvers.
Windsor is also finding mentorship and inspiration from established stars like Mercedes Mone, appreciating her willingness to share knowledge and elevate others. “She took the time to just explain things in such a way, it made me feel like, ‘That makes so much sense,’” Windsor explains, highlighting the collaborative spirit within the industry.
Despite the occasional rivalry between fanbases, Windsor believes a genuine passion for wrestling unites everyone involved. She points to initiatives like Bayley’s recent seminar, offering opportunities to aspiring wrestlers worldwide, as evidence of the industry’s supportive core.
As AEW heads to Manchester, Windsor encourages fans to experience the energy of live wrestling, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport. “You never want to miss an opportunity, you never know,” she teases, hinting at the potential for unforgettable moments and the emergence of future stars.
