Zoey Serrano has revealed the unusual but deeply personal pre-match ritual she now shares with Shayna Baszler, explaining why a short, blunt message from her fellow wrestler has become a necessity before she competes.
Speaking during her Zoey 1001 YouTube series, Serrano discussed the superstition that developed following the major knee injury that kept her out of action for an extended period. Serrano tore her ACL during a match with Kairi Sane, and she connected the injury to the one occasion on which Baszler did not deliver her customary words of encouragement before Serrano went through the curtain.
The message is not sentimental in the conventional sense. It is direct, aggressive, and intentionally uncomplicated: “Don’t F up.” Yet for Serrano, the phrase has become a source of comfort and a key part of preparing to perform in front of a live audience.
“So, before my injury, Shayna would always come up to me and she would always say, ‘Hey, don’t F, we all know what F stands for, up. Don’t F up.’ Every single match, without fail, anytime that we went out there in front of a live crowd, ‘don’t F up.’”
For more background on this topic, read Zoey Serrano Says More Ring Time Is the Key Change Women’s Wrestling Needs.
Serrano acknowledged that the words may sound harsh when separated from the friendship and shared understanding behind them. In the high-pressure environment surrounding a wrestling match, however, the line had become familiar. It was a routine that helped mark the transition from preparation to performance.
“All right, that seems a little aggressive and weird to say before you go out there,” Serrano said. “But then the one time that she did not say that is the night where I injured my knee in front of millions of people.”
That association has stayed with Serrano. She did not present the ritual as a rational explanation for an injury, but as a superstition she has embraced since returning to competition. Wrestling is full of personal traditions: specific gear, preferred warm-up routines, music cues, handshakes, calls to family members, and other habits that can give performers a sense of consistency before entering the ring. For Serrano, Baszler’s message has joined that list.
The ACL tear was a major turning point. Such an injury can mean a long rehabilitation process, time away from the ring, and the challenge of regaining confidence in a body that previously felt dependable. Serrano’s comments made clear that the ritual is about more than a joke between colleagues. The words now carry emotional weight because they are tied to the period before her injury and to the vulnerability that followed it.
As a result, Serrano says she now makes sure Baszler delivers the message before every match, whether they are in the same building or not.
“So here on out, every single match that I have now, I will call her and I will text her, and I will say, ‘Buddy, I need the words. I need you to say those words. I need to hear them right now.’ I know it’s a superstition, but I need to hear them, and she’ll text it or she’ll call me and she’ll say, ‘Don’t F up.’”
The exchange speaks to the connection between Serrano and Baszler. Baszler’s on-screen and real-life presentation has long been defined by a no-nonsense attitude, making the message particularly fitting coming from her. It is not framed as a polished pep talk or an elaborate motivational speech. Instead, it is a sharp reminder to focus, stay present, and deliver when the bell rings.
For Serrano, that directness appears to be exactly what she wants. The ritual has become portable, allowing it to continue even when schedules, travel, or separate appearances prevent the two from being together before a match. A phone call or text can now supply the same familiar moment of reassurance.
Serrano also indicated that the superstition has spread beyond Baszler. During her explanation, she mentioned that Daria has also stepped into the role on occasion.
“I’ve even had Sonya, or sorry, Daria, come up to me and say, ‘Don’t F up.’ It’s just something I need now. After that last injury, I gotta have it every single match.”
The correction from “Sonya” to “Daria” reflected Serrano speaking naturally about someone she knows outside of the ring persona associated with that name. More importantly, it illustrated that the phrase has become recognizable among those close to Serrano. What began as Baszler’s regular pre-match line has evolved into a small support system around Serrano’s return to the ring.
Still, Serrano left no doubt about who she considers the primary keeper of the ritual. Her closing message was aimed squarely at Baszler, with the expectation that the calls and texts will remain part of their regular routine.
“So Shayna, expect a phone call or a text every single week, multiple times a week.”
There is an appealing simplicity to Serrano’s story. Professional wrestling often asks performers to project certainty, toughness, and total control. They work in front of crowds, absorb physical punishment, and are expected to adjust instantly when circumstances change. But Serrano’s comments offer a more human look at what happens before the entrance music hits. Even an experienced wrestler can carry anxiety after a serious injury, and even a small repeated act can offer a meaningful sense of stability.
In that context, “Don’t F up” is not simply a warning. It is a familiar voice, a reminder of connection, and a personal signal that it is time to compete. The fact that Serrano actively requests the phrase demonstrates how important it has become in the aftermath of her ACL tear.
Her comments also underline the lasting mental side of recovery. Returning from an injury is not limited to physical rehabilitation, conditioning, and medical clearance. A wrestler also has to rebuild trust in movement, timing, and the unpredictability of a live match. Serrano’s ritual does not erase those challenges, but it appears to give her a consistent anchor at the moment she needs one most.
Elsewhere in the same discussion, Serrano addressed her desire to see women’s wrestling receive more time. That goal and her account of the Baszler ritual both point toward the value she places on opportunities to perform. After experiencing a lengthy absence due to injury, every match can understandably feel more significant.
For now, Serrano has made one thing clear: before she steps into the ring, she wants to hear from Shayna Baszler. The wording may be blunt, but the meaning behind it has become indispensable.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.