Interview with: Amanda Storm
In June 2002 RHD's Alexi B caught up with Amanda Storm and the pair discussed many things, below is the full interview and is an interesting read for any Diva Fan.


Those fans that have read your book will know this already, but for those who haven't - how did you get into wrestling?
I've always been into sports and I love being in the spotlight, so pro wrestling was a natural choice. I went to college and worked for some years writing software manuals, which paid well but was boring in the extreme. Fortunately, my grandfather told me about the "rocking chair test", which basically means to live your life so you don't have a sack full of regrets when you are an old woman. So I packed my bags, quit my job and moved from Sacramento to the east coast, where I started training at Killer Kowalski's. He called me a dumb broad and told me to "get the hell out of his school" on the first day when I screwed up a lot. But I stuck with it and am currently enjoying the ride of my life.

Oddly, wrestling kind of worked into another one of my dreams coming true - writing. Blakwidow: My First Year as a Professional Wrestler_ was published in 2000 by ECW Press. I'm currently working on several other projects and hope to have something else in the stores by 2003.


Which federations have you worked for?
Gosh, I've wrestled for so many organizations, I would be hard-pressed to list them all here. I am currently wrestling a lot for Atlas Championship Wrestling in my adopted home of Maine. I am the ACW women's champion right now, and am defending my title once or twice a month against a variety of women. I have also wrestled on all three Women's Extreme Wrestling pay-per-views, which is quite exciting. I was lucky enough to be in the opening match on the first, and in the main events on the second and third shows.


Which character do you prefer - Amanda Storm or Blakwidow?
I don't really have a character. Amanda Storm and Blakwidow are
much the same woman. We all have a heart of darkness, if you will, and my trick is I tap into that raging place when I'm the "Widow". The only bad thing about it is that when I am the bad girl I walk a fine line between performance and kind of going off the deep end. It happens from time to time but for the most part I'm able to keep the depravity down to a dull roar.

When I began studying Ju Jitsu I quickly found that I was the most effective when I retreated into the calm pool of tranquility inside my soul. One time I was getting choked in a tournament by a woman who outweighed me by 20 pounds. I was just about to give up, but instead I was able to calm myself and transcend the pain. I ended up winning the tournament but later that night I noticed that my neck and chest were covered with bruises. Amanda Storm isn't a character - she is
hat pool of tranquility in the context of professional wrestling. So there you have it. To answer your question in a round-about way, people tell me that I'm better as a heel, but I have more fun as a babyface. I'm a people person!


If the WWE offered you a contract, (and we think they should!) would you take it?
I certainly would give the offer serious consideration (and thank you!). The goal of an actress is to
get into movies. That of many lawyers is to try a case before the Supreme Court. I'm no different than most wrestlers - I'd be delighted to do my thing in front of millions of people every week. After all, Ben Franklin wrote that if you want lasting fame then to "write things worth reading or do things worth writing." My goal is to attempt both.


So, if you were offered the WWE contract, and had accepted it, then which WWE Diva would you most like to team up with?
I haven't given it much thought because constitutionally I'm a stand- alone sort of girl. Tag team stuff is fine, but I've generally found that I'm able to unleash the full scope of the Amanda Storm Experience (tm) when I rely only on myself and the voices in my head. Seriously though, my favorite gal currently on the roster is Jackie because she is such a great wrestler. I think any young wrestler, male or female, could learn a lot from watching her matches. I also enjoyed watching Luna back a couple of years ago when she was on the roster.


Which WWE Diva is your favourite?
Um, Jackie. My second favorite Diva is of course Kurt Angle for obvious reasons.


Speaking of the various women of wrestling, you have said that you enjoyed working with Violet Flame? Is that still true?
I did enjoy tossing Violet around. Unfortunately I haven't wrestled her for a few years now. I believe the last time we met was in 1999 when I got a victory against her for the NWA New England women's title. As far as I know she is living out on the west coast now. I wish her all the best and hope she is doing well. If she ever gets back out to the east coast, I'd love to revitalize Violet's career in aviation, if you get my drift.


And which other wrestlers have you enjoyed working with?
I've been fortune enough to meet many people and have enjoyed the time I've spent with most of them. Having Killer Kowalski as a guest referee in some of my matches was a hoot. Of course I started my pro training through Killer's school. And I've learned a ton from Jacques Rougeau and especially Tony Atlas. King Kong Bundy is a real pal too.

I quite like almost all of the women I've met so far, and have had some very fond memories of my time in the ring with many of them. They are all wonderful and each has her own special talents. My current favorites are the girls of GLOOW & WEW. They are a kooky, eclectic bunch of gals and I have a lot of fun.


What advice would you give to women hoping to get into wrestling?
Treat pursing a career in wrestling much the same way you would a career as an actress. Have a back-up plan, keep your sense of humor and expect a lot of sacrifices on the path toward success. Wrestling isn't nearly as glamorous as it sometimes appears on the outside, though it can be quite rewarding if you keep a smile on your face, don't let the roaches get you down, and maintain a kind heart.


And finally, any wise words for your fans?
If you've read my book then you know all about the "rocking chair test." Every time you come to a major crossroads in your life, I find it is best to base one's decision on whatever course will most likely end
in passing that test, God willing!



Helpful Links
Visit her Official Website by clicking here.