"It's that mentality that there's none" - Lilian Garcia reveals emotional backstage conversation with Samantha Irvin during WWE return
Former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia recently revealed what happened backstage during her return back in May. Garcia put over Samantha Irvin in a big way on television, while also having a conversation with her backstage.
The 58-year-old announcer surprised the WWE Universe when she returned on the May 13, episode of RAW in Greenville, South Carolina. Garcia, who was born and raised in South Carolina, was in Greenville at the time, so she decided to visit her former co-workers.
Speaking in an interview with Ten Count Media, the current PFL ring announcer opened up about her return. She was happy to speak with Samantha Irvin and gave her some advice on what she could do to be an even better announcer.
"I remember she asked me some questions then and so I filled her in on a couple of things as to what I do. I'm always very willing to help people because I know what it felt like for Howard (Finkel) to do that, for Tony Chimel to do that, and I just love helping others. I spoke to JoJo, I spoke to Brandi (Rhodes) like any advice that I could give them. I was always willing to share. I always feel like there's room for all of us and I think that people that want to keep that. It's that mentality that there's none and I really want to challenge people to understand that there's room for all of us," Garcia said. [0:53 - 1:30]
During her return, Lilian Garcia co-announced the match between Kofi Kingston and Gunther. Garcia also put over Samantha Irvin on WWE television, which made the latter emotional.
Why did Lilian Garcia put over Samantha Irvin?
In the same interview with Ten Count Media, Lilian Garcia was also asked why she went out of her way to put over Samantha Irvin despite already being popular among fans. Garcia explained that it was just a natural reaction from her since Irvin was doing an amazing job.
"Something came over me when I got in the ring and she handed me the mic. I just felt like putting her over in front of everyone because I genuinely think she's doing a great job and it was beautiful," Garcia said. [2:18 - 2:37]
Garcia had two stints in WWE from 1999 to 2009, and the second one from 2011 to 2016. She has made sporadic appearances through the years on special shows such as RAW Reunion and Tribute to the Troops.