Have you ever been misunderstood because of your facial expression? NXT's Izzi Dame has! She's revealed that her natural 'Resting Bitch Face' (RBF) has actually gotten her into trouble behind the scenes in the wrestling world. It's a fascinating look at how perception impacts even the most controlled performers.
Izzi Dame, a rising star just three years into her professional wrestling career, is making waves on NXT television. As part of 'The Culling,' she portrays a calculated and cunning character. Interestingly, Dame admits that this on-screen persona isn't too far removed from her real-life ability to control her emotions. But here's where it gets controversial... that control sometimes manifests as a seemingly permanent RBF.
"I would be an amazing poker player," Dame confessed to Bully Ray on Busted Open Radio. "I’m consistently in one mood all the time. I’ve been told that my entire life. I will tell you this, my poker face is more of a RBF [Resting Bitch Face]. That gets me in trouble sometimes." And this is the part most people miss: it's not intentional! Dame elaborates, "I’ve definitely had a couple of producers come up to me and be like, ‘We have to change your face.’ I constantly have a ‘What the hell are you doing?’ face. I don’t even mean it. It’s just my face." It's a candid admission about the pressures performers face, even when it comes to their natural expressions.
Dame's talent and dedication are undeniable. She recently celebrated a major victory, capturing the NXT Women’s North American Championship at NXT New Year’s Evil by defeating Thea Hail. This accomplishment showcases her skill and cements her position as a force to be reckoned with in NXT. Think about it - she's winning championships while battling this perception issue! Does anyone else find that ironic?
Beyond her championship aspirations, Dame also has her sights set on the grandest stage of them all: WrestleMania. During the same interview, she shared her dream matches, naming Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley as potential opponents. You can delve deeper into her WrestleMania aspirations and read her full responses in this article (h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription: https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/izzi-dame-wants-to-face-becky-lynch-or-rhea-ripley-at-wrestlemania/).
So, what do you think? Is it fair for producers to ask Izzi Dame to change her natural facial expression? Does 'RBF' carry unfair connotations, particularly for women in the public eye? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Could this be seen as a form of subtle pressure to conform to certain beauty standards, even in a traditionally 'tough' industry like professional wrestling? Where do we draw the line between constructive feedback and unrealistic expectations?
