In collaboration with PWI, Bell To Belles interviewed over 20 women who have ranked on this year’s PWI Women’s 100 ranking. Bell To Belles will release one interview per day, celebrating the past year in women’s wrestling and the strong women who dedicate their lives to the sport.

Rhia O’Reilly, who ranked #49 on this year’s Women’s 100, chatted with Warren Hayes of Bell To Belles on her last year in wrestling, women’s wrestling advocacy, and being a defending champ.

After the Speaking Out Movement, it was revealed that O’Reilly and fellow wrestler Cara Noir are taking part in a Parliamentary Inquiry into professional wrestling in Great Britain, with the help of several MPs.

The Irish wrestler spoke with Warren on why the Inquiry is important for professional wrestling, in particular.

Wrestling everywhere, globally, has this issue where some places want to recognize it as a sport, some places want to recognize it as an art form. It lies in that sort of murky in between where it’s sports entertainment—it markets itself that way. So, I think for a long time that’s why there has been no regulations at all. Wrestling is a bit like the Wild West.”

Rhia O’Reilly

Watch the entire interview with Rhia O’Reilly on her past year in wrestling below. Buy the digital version of the Women’s 100 edition today from PWI here.

Return to Bell To Belles every day until early November for a new interview from a 2020 PWI Women’s 100 ranked woman. Also visit Bell To Belles for relevant news, unique op-ed pieces, and advocacy. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for access to all of our video and audio interviews, and new upcoming video content.

Please credit Bell To Belles for the interview and quote transcription.