Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us.
No problem, I feel honoured just to have your interest to begin with!
Firstly, could you give us a background on yourself away from wrestling?
I’m 23 and have a BA in Film - I’m also studying for my Masters Degree part time. I work full time time too and have recently changed jobs in order to pursue wrestling properly. I also have 9 cats and a dog…I’m a huge animal lover so really all I do in my spare time is look after my animals, wrestle, go to the gym and watch movies. I also have a huge obsession with True Crime and WW2 history (namely The Third Reich) so I’m always reading books about those things.
Could you tell us the story of how you became interested in professional wrestling and who were some of your favourite wrestlers at that time?
I have watched wrestling from around the age of four. I grew up watching the Attitude Era with my older brothers - at the time, I loved the likes of Austin and The Undertaker - I also absolutely adored The Road Warriors! As I got a little older, some of my favourites were Jeff Hardy, Mickie James, Edge and CM Punk. I was usually drawn to those who just oozed charisma.
What inspired you to become a wrestler? Was there a particular match or moment or a combination of both?
I don’t think there was a particular match or moment. Though there were times at live shows where I was watching wrestlers go at it and couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I also have to credit Mickie James for my desire to wrestle too. Watching her was so inspiring and it was from the age of 12 or 13 I think that I seriously decided I wanted to be a professional wrestler. I was obsessed with watching her old Alexis Laree matches and seeing her progress from a 19 year old in the indies to one of the most over females in the WWE was incredible.
I was never fortunate enough to live in an area or be in the financial position to pursue it up until the last year or two so feel very blessed that almost ten years after deciding what I want to do, I am finally doing it. I also have to thank my long time internet friend Dustin (wrestler Scott Story). We got chatting on Myspace around 9 years ago or something and became great friends over our mutual fandom of Jeff and Mickie. He wanted to be a professional wrestler and so did I. We would spend ages chatting on MSN about what schools to go to and what character ideas we had. He’s now wrestling in MN and is awesome! We still talk now, swap match and character ideas and keep each motivated about pursuing our dreams. I am hoping to visit him sometime next year and tag with him in a show.
How long did it take from having the first thoughts about becoming a pro wrestler to finding RWA and starting your training and how did you find out about RWA?
I had some unfortunate circumstances over a year ago that meant me moving away and having to live on my own. I ended up in Halewood as I found a Landlady that allowed cats! At the time due to what occurred I was feeling very low and wrestling was one of my main escapes - then a light bulb hit and I realised I live near Runcorn…lets go to RWA.
How did your friends and family react when you told them you wanted to train to wrestle?
My mum still doesn’t 100% know what I’m doing and any videos I’ve shown has resulted in her recoiling in horror and shouting that I am going to end up with a broken neck. My boyfriend of almost three years has been super supportive and is often my taxi to training! Other friends I’ve told sort of don’t take me seriously when I tell them as I’m usually very quiet and don’t go out much, I’m a cat lady that stays inside and drinks tea most days so it’s quite a contrast. My dad still doesn't know so hopefully he doesn't read this.
What do you enjoy most about training and which aspects are you not so keen on?
I was absolutely terrible at gymnastics and dance in school. I think on a level of 1 - 5 (5 being the worst) I was graded 4 or 5 for both. I was always on the athletic teams but anything to do with dance and gymnastics was a no go. Before wrestling I couldn’t even do a forward roll so that side of things really seemed daunting to me - now I love doing rolls and flip bumps. There aren’t really any aspects I’m not so keen on. I’ve heard about wrestling politics, but I am lucky enough to be in a school where that doesn’t occur and have never had any experience of it.
How long did it take to debut in the ring after your first training session and what are your memories of your first ever match?
I think around 7 or 8 months from my first training session. My job at the time meant I never had weekends free so couldn't do shows. To be honest, I almost backed out of my first match. A few days before my debut I was at Mat training and had a call to say my cat, Elvis, had been hit by a car and killed. He died in my boyfriends arms and I had to hold him in a blanket as we drove to the vets for them to take his body. It was the worst thing to ever happen to us. He was my baby and I was (and still am) beyond heart broken. I didn’t leave the house for days.
On the day of the show I forced myself to go to training and kept messing up. I was having to go off and cry on my own because I couldn’t stop thinking about my cat and what happened. In the end I just had to carry on because if I didn’t wrestle then another girl wold have had to drop out on the opposing tag team, which wouldn't have been fair. It may sound silly to some, but he was the sweetest cat and he was stolen from us to soon. My animals are like children to me so I don’t really like thinking about my debut as it just makes me think of that. I was very nervous and my head wasn’t totally in it. I think it went okay for the most part, though there was a moment where I was giving heat and for a bizarre reason put the face in a wrist lock instead of striking her.
What's the best piece of advice that you've been given so far in wrestling?
If you don’t have thick skin, learn to pretend you have it. Our teacher, Andy Baker, has a plethora of great advice.
Do you feel that you can draw inspiration from other forms of entertainment to help you in wrestling?
I have and do watch a lot of movies. Wrestling is a lot of story telling. If you not only know good films, but understand and appreciate good films, you will know good story telling.
Who would you say has had the biggest impact on you in life and in wrestling?
My boyfriend. He’s been with me every step of the way. If I can’t find my way to sessions, he’ll take me. If I want to practice promos, he’ll sit there and listen. He’s a huge wrestling fan too so will sit there for hours with me while I watch old wrestling matches and make notes! Being in good shape for wrestling is also super important to me so if I get tempted to have a piece of cake or something he’ll knock it out of my hand.
What are your short and long term goals in the ring?
I don’t really have a short term goal….everything is long term for me; from improving to making it. Definite long term would be signing with NXT and moving myself and my cats to Florida!
Lastly, where can fans see you in action in the coming weeks?
I’ll be wrestling this Saturday at RWA! The card for the next few shows after that hasn’t been decided, but if I’m not wrestling I’ll be in the crowd watching at the very least.
This has been one of my favourite interviews thus far. Jessica was absolutely brilliant with me in setting this interview up and I'd like to thank her again for taking the time to answer these questions!
You can find Jessica on Twitter - @TheJessicaLight
Questions asked by Darren Dyer
No problem, I feel honoured just to have your interest to begin with!
Firstly, could you give us a background on yourself away from wrestling?
I’m 23 and have a BA in Film - I’m also studying for my Masters Degree part time. I work full time time too and have recently changed jobs in order to pursue wrestling properly. I also have 9 cats and a dog…I’m a huge animal lover so really all I do in my spare time is look after my animals, wrestle, go to the gym and watch movies. I also have a huge obsession with True Crime and WW2 history (namely The Third Reich) so I’m always reading books about those things.
Could you tell us the story of how you became interested in professional wrestling and who were some of your favourite wrestlers at that time?
I have watched wrestling from around the age of four. I grew up watching the Attitude Era with my older brothers - at the time, I loved the likes of Austin and The Undertaker - I also absolutely adored The Road Warriors! As I got a little older, some of my favourites were Jeff Hardy, Mickie James, Edge and CM Punk. I was usually drawn to those who just oozed charisma.
What inspired you to become a wrestler? Was there a particular match or moment or a combination of both?
I don’t think there was a particular match or moment. Though there were times at live shows where I was watching wrestlers go at it and couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I also have to credit Mickie James for my desire to wrestle too. Watching her was so inspiring and it was from the age of 12 or 13 I think that I seriously decided I wanted to be a professional wrestler. I was obsessed with watching her old Alexis Laree matches and seeing her progress from a 19 year old in the indies to one of the most over females in the WWE was incredible.
I was never fortunate enough to live in an area or be in the financial position to pursue it up until the last year or two so feel very blessed that almost ten years after deciding what I want to do, I am finally doing it. I also have to thank my long time internet friend Dustin (wrestler Scott Story). We got chatting on Myspace around 9 years ago or something and became great friends over our mutual fandom of Jeff and Mickie. He wanted to be a professional wrestler and so did I. We would spend ages chatting on MSN about what schools to go to and what character ideas we had. He’s now wrestling in MN and is awesome! We still talk now, swap match and character ideas and keep each motivated about pursuing our dreams. I am hoping to visit him sometime next year and tag with him in a show.
How long did it take from having the first thoughts about becoming a pro wrestler to finding RWA and starting your training and how did you find out about RWA?
I had some unfortunate circumstances over a year ago that meant me moving away and having to live on my own. I ended up in Halewood as I found a Landlady that allowed cats! At the time due to what occurred I was feeling very low and wrestling was one of my main escapes - then a light bulb hit and I realised I live near Runcorn…lets go to RWA.
How did your friends and family react when you told them you wanted to train to wrestle?
My mum still doesn’t 100% know what I’m doing and any videos I’ve shown has resulted in her recoiling in horror and shouting that I am going to end up with a broken neck. My boyfriend of almost three years has been super supportive and is often my taxi to training! Other friends I’ve told sort of don’t take me seriously when I tell them as I’m usually very quiet and don’t go out much, I’m a cat lady that stays inside and drinks tea most days so it’s quite a contrast. My dad still doesn't know so hopefully he doesn't read this.
What do you enjoy most about training and which aspects are you not so keen on?
I was absolutely terrible at gymnastics and dance in school. I think on a level of 1 - 5 (5 being the worst) I was graded 4 or 5 for both. I was always on the athletic teams but anything to do with dance and gymnastics was a no go. Before wrestling I couldn’t even do a forward roll so that side of things really seemed daunting to me - now I love doing rolls and flip bumps. There aren’t really any aspects I’m not so keen on. I’ve heard about wrestling politics, but I am lucky enough to be in a school where that doesn’t occur and have never had any experience of it.
How long did it take to debut in the ring after your first training session and what are your memories of your first ever match?
I think around 7 or 8 months from my first training session. My job at the time meant I never had weekends free so couldn't do shows. To be honest, I almost backed out of my first match. A few days before my debut I was at Mat training and had a call to say my cat, Elvis, had been hit by a car and killed. He died in my boyfriends arms and I had to hold him in a blanket as we drove to the vets for them to take his body. It was the worst thing to ever happen to us. He was my baby and I was (and still am) beyond heart broken. I didn’t leave the house for days.
On the day of the show I forced myself to go to training and kept messing up. I was having to go off and cry on my own because I couldn’t stop thinking about my cat and what happened. In the end I just had to carry on because if I didn’t wrestle then another girl wold have had to drop out on the opposing tag team, which wouldn't have been fair. It may sound silly to some, but he was the sweetest cat and he was stolen from us to soon. My animals are like children to me so I don’t really like thinking about my debut as it just makes me think of that. I was very nervous and my head wasn’t totally in it. I think it went okay for the most part, though there was a moment where I was giving heat and for a bizarre reason put the face in a wrist lock instead of striking her.
What's the best piece of advice that you've been given so far in wrestling?
If you don’t have thick skin, learn to pretend you have it. Our teacher, Andy Baker, has a plethora of great advice.
Do you feel that you can draw inspiration from other forms of entertainment to help you in wrestling?
I have and do watch a lot of movies. Wrestling is a lot of story telling. If you not only know good films, but understand and appreciate good films, you will know good story telling.
Who would you say has had the biggest impact on you in life and in wrestling?
My boyfriend. He’s been with me every step of the way. If I can’t find my way to sessions, he’ll take me. If I want to practice promos, he’ll sit there and listen. He’s a huge wrestling fan too so will sit there for hours with me while I watch old wrestling matches and make notes! Being in good shape for wrestling is also super important to me so if I get tempted to have a piece of cake or something he’ll knock it out of my hand.
What are your short and long term goals in the ring?
I don’t really have a short term goal….everything is long term for me; from improving to making it. Definite long term would be signing with NXT and moving myself and my cats to Florida!
Lastly, where can fans see you in action in the coming weeks?
I’ll be wrestling this Saturday at RWA! The card for the next few shows after that hasn’t been decided, but if I’m not wrestling I’ll be in the crowd watching at the very least.
This has been one of my favourite interviews thus far. Jessica was absolutely brilliant with me in setting this interview up and I'd like to thank her again for taking the time to answer these questions!
You can find Jessica on Twitter - @TheJessicaLight
Questions asked by Darren Dyer