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In-Ring Name?
Violet Flame
Location?
Syracuse, NY
What Federation are you currently in?
The UWA, (www.uwaringmasters.com)
I noticed on your website that you had appeared in numerous federations,
what was your favorite appearance?
I enjoyed working for many different leagues, different promoters with different styles, but my favorite so far was for the Trans Atlantic Wrestling challenge. I got a chance to go to England, and to be on TV!
When did you start wrestling?
August 1994
What school did you train at (or who trained you)?
Walter "Killer" Kowaskis (www.killerkowalskis.com). I was trained there by Walter himself.
What was the hardest wrestling move you learned?
The hardest thing was just to take that first step, for me, after I was able to lose the fear of hurting myself falling on my back, the rest came a little easier.
What's your schedule like?
Currently, I'm only working for one local organization, so it's a little slower than it is regularly. I work a full time job and a part time job, so I'm up at 5 to go to the gym, then off to work. Tuesdays and Wednesdays I go to the UWA madhouse afterwork to work out in the ring, then the other nights and weekend I work part time and have shows every 3 weeks or so on Sundays. Since I'm new to the Syracuse area, I'm still settling in, but I soon home to ad more wrestling work to that, hopefully, enough to keep me busy every weekend.
Who are some of your favorite people to work with?
I really like to work with Lexie Fyfe. She has a similar size and style to me, and I always look forward to catching up with her whenever our paths cross. I also enjoyed my matches with fellow Kowalski trainees Amanda Storm and Brittany Brown.
I noticed that you worked with Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, can you tell us what
that experience was like?
Well, it was early in her career, so she was a bit awkward, as most people are when they start out. I remember very clearly how strong she was though. She'd throw me around not even realizing it...she didn't know her own strength.
I also saw that you have worked with Little Jeanne from WCW Fame, what was
it like working with her?
Unlike when I worked with Joanie, Little Jeanne was already very established by the time we wrestled. I was actually pretty nervous to get in the ring with her, and I think that affected my performance. I hope that I get the chance to see her across the ring from me again.
Is there any kind of match you wouldn't do (like a lingerie match,
bikini match, jello match)?
I don't think I'd do any kind of those matches, but truthfully, if Vince McMahon was gonna put me on TV, I might be persuaded to do some of those things. The only thing I really would not do is any kind of nudity, or sexual content in a wrestling ring.
What's your most embarassing wrestling related moment?
The first time I met the Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young, I was working for them at the LIWA convention. Jim Cornett was there too, so I really wanted to do well. I ended up going over the top rope wrong and breaking my leg in three places just above my ankle. Luckily the joint wasn't damaged, so it could've been worse, but I was hurt and embarrassed.
What titles have you won or helped others win?
I've held the IWF ladies title twice, the UWA ladies title, and the NWA NE ladies title.
What is your most memorable match?
A lot of them come to mind, but one that I'll never remember was for the AWA in Queen Creek Arizona. I was wrestling a man in drag, and during the match his wig fell off and he hit me with it, like it was a brick. It wasn't a great match, but it was memorable.
Who is the strongest woman you've seen in the Indy's (mic skills plus in
ring skills)?
Unfortunatlely, I haven't really gotten to see a lot of the indy girls on the mike. I rarely get any mic time on shows, and I suspect it's the same for a lot of the other girls. If you count the WOW girls, I was very impressed with Riot.
Who is the strongest man you've seen in the Indy's (mic skill plus in
ring skills)?
"Strangler" Steve King...he's a fellow Kowalski trainee, so he has a style that I enjoy, in the ring and on the mic.
What's it like working in the Indy's?
It's great and it's frustrating...I love when I get the chance to travel especially, and I've met a lot of really really great people, but it's hard to travel as well, especially long distances, when the pay for the show often doesn't even cover the cost of the travel. This seems to have changed a bit lately now, but when I first started, I'd often get frustrtated because a lot of the promoters seemed to think that the girls had no business in the ring, and wouldn't book them.
The following questions are asking for your opinion on the WWE
product, since that is what most people get to see.
Who are you favorite WWE Male wrestlers?
Kurt Angle is my favorite right now, he's really incredible. Watching him has lead me to appreciate amatuer wrestling much more than I ever did as well. I also like Benoit and Eddie Guerrero, and I have to include Hulk Hogan, because if it wasn't for him, I'd probably never have watched wrestling.
Who are you favorite WWE Female Wrestlers?
Jacqueline, Ivory and Molly Holly. I think they are all underused and can do so much more than they are.
What is your favorite WWE storyline?
Oh...I haven't even watched in a few weeks since I took on a night job to help out for Christmas, but I was really liking the storyline with Trish and Victoria. I always pay particular attention to the girls, (hey you never know...I could be in the ring with them someday!) and I liked this angle for them...it's a little more than the standard fued between two girls...usually it's just 2 girls don't like each other for no particular reason.
What is your least favorite WWE storyline?
Probably anything involving the Big Show...
With the current storylines focusing on HLA and matches like lingerie
pillow fights, how do you think the women wrestlers could move past that
and put the focus back on their in-ring skills? Do you think this focus
on T&A will hinder other women's, like yourself, chances to be taken
seriously?
I thought the WWE was starting to put a focus back on in ring talent last year when Jazz was there, and hopefully she'll be back soon. I do agree that there's been a lot of T&A...the angle with Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie comes to mind, but that's ok...there's a place for that, but neither of them are wrestlers. From what I've seen of Victoria I think if used right, and given the right competition, they can build up interest in matches, without relying on T&A alone. I really don't find anything going on in the WWE to be that damaging to women's wrestling. The things I really dislike are the advertisements in wrestling magazines for topless catfights and apartment wrestling.
If you had a chance to wrestle any WWE star, who would be your top
choice (you can pick 2 males and 2 females)?
Oooh, ooh, Hulk Hogan!! Well, I'd just like to meet him, so that'd be a good way : ) Let's see, another guy, maybe Rey Misterio Jr. I think any of the other guys would just dwarf me. As far as the girls...well Victoria, because she's the champ, and I think I'd say Ivory. She's been around a little while, and I think I could learn a lot from her.
What do you think of the current WWE women's matches?
I enjoy them for the most part. I just wish that they would stick to having the trained girls in the ring...like Molly, Trish, Jackie etc, and leave the others, like Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie out of the ring.
Do you think women should get more belts (Like their own tag team
belts)?
No, not in the WWE, unless they brought in a lot more girls. I just don't think there are enough to have more than 2 tag teams or so and the 2 teams fighting over and over again would get old quickly. I'm happy that there's a women's championship at all..there hasn't always been that.
Do you think the WWE should take a page from the Indy's and let the
women wrestle the men more?
Actually, it seemed like the Indy's were taking a page from the WWE and Chyna when they started having mixed matches. Sure they existed before that...especially in some areas where there's only 1 trained girl with in 500 miles or something, but anyway, I'm not a huge fan of mixed matches. I feel like there's a thought among fans that a girl must be really tough to face a man, but let me tell you, I've faced some damn tough females, and I'm proud of that.
Who is the strongest WWE female wrestler (Mic skills and in ring skills
combined)?
I think I'll go with Trish Stratus. I wouldn't say she's the best wrestler...but between wrestling and mic skills, she's the closest to a total package.
Who is the strongest WWE male wrestler (mic skills and in ring skills
combined)?
Kurt Angle!
Do you think any of today's wrestlers (indy or WWE) are going to be
legends in years to come?
Of course, Ric Flair is already a legend...but I definitely see HHH, Shawn Michaels and my favorite Kurt Angle having a long legacy.
If you could change one thing about the WWE product, what would it be
and why?
Put the "F" back in!!! I grew up on the WWF, that's what I want to see, not the WWE!
Do you have any advice for others trying to break into the business?
Go to a reputable school...for the training to make you safe, and for the contacts...at least on the indy scene most schools either run shows or have close contacts with promoters. It's a lot easier to get bookings with the word of Killer Kowalski behind you, than just showing up and trying to get in the ring.
Check out the Links Section to check out Violet Flame's official webpage! Many thanks to Violet for agreeing to the interview!
