Exclusive Interview
At the start of September we had the chance to catch up with Violet Flame and get a nice interview with her. Below is what came out of the interview.
Q How did you get involved with Wrestling
I always wanted to be a wrestler, so when I was old enough, I started writing to wrestling schools. It took me a few tries to find a school that accepted females, but when I heard that Killer Kowalski did, my mind was made up. I hopped a Greyhound bus to Boston, and started training the next day.
Q Which wrestling company do you work for?
I've worked for several different organizations, including Kowalski's league, the IWF, EWA in Maine, WSW in Arizona, and most recently the AWF in Canada. I will also be making my Mexico debut in a company named Lucha Libre Feminil.
Q What was it like in the Locker-room
For the most part, I find myself bored in the actual locker room. In a lot of shows that I do, it's only me and one other girl sharing a locker room so there's not too much to do, and I'm not the type to hang out in the men's locker room, I don't feel comfortable. After the shows when everyone is changed, I love to hang out, and discuss the show with everyone.
Q Which wrestlers were the most fun to work with
So far, I think I've had the most fun working with Lexie Fyfe. She is such a great wrestler that she puts me at ease, I've also had a great time working with Jamie West. We wrestled numerous times in New England, and because we had so often been in the ring together, we would sometimes do goofy things just to make the other one laugh.
Q How did you like your time in the company In which company?
I've had a good time in most of the leagues I've worked for, I try hard not to get embroiled in the politics that plague a lot of organizations, so I think that helps be be welcome where ever I go.
Q Did you enjoy being a valet
I've only valeted a few matches, and I do enjoy it, but my first love really is wrestling.
Q How are the other women to work with
Everyone I've worked with has had a different style, like anyone in wrestling, some people prefer a scientific style, some like to do power moves, some like to be a high flyer, but I guess I've been lucky in that everyone I've worked with has been very professional.
Q What was it like entering a arena with thousands of fans shouting and looking at you
That's the best feeling in the world! I much prefer the fans to be shouting and looking at me than sitting on their hands, which has also happened...I always do my best, but it really inspires you when you have a reaction from the crowd, especially when the crowd numbers in the thousands instead of the hundreds!
Q Did you enjoy doing all the Media appearances
I've only done a few of those to date, and for the most part I do enjoy them, but am always a bit nervous, especially when I don't have a good idea of what they expect from me, and what the format will be like.
Q What are your thoughts on the recent WCW Sale and do you think WCW will turn around now that Vince McMahon is in command.
I have high hopes for the WCW with Vince McMahon in charge. Of course Vince is a genius, and if anyone can revitalize WCW it's him, but I do hope that they split the two shows soon. I think the impact of WWF/WCW fueds is diminished by the current set up, with both WWF and WCW/ECW stars appearing on the same shows every week.
Q Have you been offered a WCW or WWF Contract?
Not yet, but still working at it!
Q Who did you hang around with most backstage
My college textbooks!
Q Did you make any close friends while wrestling
Pretty much all my close friends I met while wrestling. They're the people that understand me. I consider many of Kowalski's students to be good friends, including Brittany Brown, Freighttrain, and "Strangler" Steve King. Chyna and I were friends as well when she was training at Kowalski's, but we haven't kept in touch much since she went to the WWF.
Q What are your thoughts on the Nitro Girls
I liked the idea of the Nitro Girls, I studied dance for 14 years myself, before getting sidetracked by a foot injury, so I have a better appreciation for the Nitro girls than a lot of the other girls do. I think a lot of people see them, and think anyone can do that. As wrestlers though, I think they need more training before being presented to a national audience.
Q Do you have any comments when it comes to the XFL
Yeah, I tried out for the XFL cheerleaders, thank GOD I didn't get that job!
Q Have you followed the wrestling industry all your life
Pretty much, I was 8 at the time of the first Wrestlemania I believe, and I've been hooked since then.
Q What federations have you been a fan of
First I was a WWF fan, but after a while I branced out to watch the other wrestling on TV, NWA (which changed to WCW), AWA and GLOW. More recently, I really enjoyed WOW.
Q What wrestlers do you admire
My idol, Leilani Kai, and when I was a kid I was a Hulkamaniac. Now I look up to Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle, and Ivory.
Q What wrestling related websites do you follow if any
GLORYwrestling.com, they are a very up to date site about many independant girls, such as myself, I also occasionally stop by 1wrestling.com, and wrestleline.com
Q If you could wrestle anyone who would it be and why
I'd love to get in the ring with many of the girls out there. I think I could do well with Molly Holly or Ivory, and of course I'd love to face Leilani Kai, I know I would learn so much just from stepping in the ring with her.
Q If you could be any wrestlers valet who would it be and why
Let's see, maybe Steve Blackman. I know that might sound strange, but I think he's very talented, and could get the fans attention if he had some personality and color. He was started to get some recognition as part of the "Snow Bunnies", or "Head Cheese" gimmick with Al Snow, and I think he still could contribute a lot to the WWF if he could get the fans behind him.
Q Where do you see yourself in 10 years time
Hopefully writing a book about my succesful career in wrestling.
Q Have you ever made any worth mentioning mistakes when performing Live
Mistakes, of course, but none that really stand out and noteworthy...
Q What has to be your greatest wrestling moment
I've had a few great moments so far, and hopefully more to come...becoming the IWF ladies champ after 7 months or so of training was incredible, being honored by the Fabulous Moolah at the LIWA convention was also something I'll always remember.
Q How did you get into the wrestling business
I mentioned it earlier, I wrote letters, and joined up at Killer Kowalski's school in Massachusetts.
Q What would you call your best physical feature
My eyes. They're a kind of blue/green/gray color that people always compliment.
Q How has your wrestling career effected your life as a whole
I think my wrestling career has made me both more confident and more cautious. Before I started wrestling I was very shy, found it very hard just to hold a conversation, and would never think of getting my picture taken in a bikini. Now those things are like second nature, but I'm more careful about walking to my car after a show in a group, that kind of thing, you never know what some fan might think will be cool or funny.
Q Do you enjoy all the Internet attention you get
I am very happy and surprised by the attention. Sometimes my e-mail inbox fills up before I can get back to anyone, but I think that's a good problem to have. I'm always very flattered when I recieve a request from a website for pictures or an interview.
Q What is it like knowing men have pictures of you on there walls and knowing many are in love with you
They do? I guess it's flattering, as long as they can draw the line between fantasy and reality...
Q Can I have some comments on the following Wrestlers/Divas
Chyna: A friend
Lita: Wish they'd give her more opportunity to wrestle
Trish Stratus: An inspiration, I wish I could follow her path into fitness and modeling and the WWF
Midajah: Pretty
Kidman: Hope he makes the most of his job in the WCW
Rena Mero: At this point, unfortunately, a has-been
Hulk Hogan: The Hulkster! I don't think I'd be where I am today if he hadn't been headlining Wrestlemania
Hardy Boyz: High flyers, hope they can stay healthy
Kevin Nash: Not sure we've seen the last of him, he has name value, size and connections. I think he could again be a superstar.
Bill Goldberg: Unless he comes to the WWF, I think we might not hear much about him in wrestling again.
The Rock: Soon to be a movie star.
Kurt Angle: The once and future champ
Steve Austin: Multifaceted, mutlitalented, and very entertaining.
Vince McMahon: A genius, buff, handsome, rich...now about that job...: )
Q What kind of workout do u do
I workout for about 45 minutes of lifting and 30 min of cardio 3 days on, 1 day off. Right now I have work out chest and triceps together, then back and biceps, then legs, and then shoulders by themselves since I think they need extra attention. I do abs every day. I mix up my routine about once every 6 weeks though, to keep boredom away.
Q How much time do you spend on training and keeping fit
Well, besides about 75 minutes 5 or 6 days a week in the gym, I also spend about 3 hours a week in the ring. Sometimes more, but also have a "real" job to help me pay the bills, so sometimes that's about all I can fit in.
Q What fitness advice would you give to people looking to folllow on in your footsteps
Cardio, cardio, cardio...I think I may up my cardio to twice a day now that the summer heat is cooling down, cardio helps you keep lean, and can help you not get so winded in the ring.
Q Do you have any comments on the WWF's Chyna and how she has changed her look over the past 3 years
I say if she's happy, it's all for the best. I remember her talking about getting implants, and I'm glad for her if they make her feel better about herself, and it seems that for the most part, wrestling fans enjoy her new look. I hope she is happy.
Q What do you family think of your wrestling career
They think I'm nuts, that it's dangerous, stupid, and not appropriate for a lady.
Q Do your family support what you do
Not at all, they've never come to see me. I keep in touch with them, but it's kind of a don't ask don't tell policy. As long as we both pretend wrestling is in no way part of my life we get along. Q Do you have much time to spend with your family Unfortunately no, I left them behind in New York when I moved to Massachusetts, and now that I'm in California I see them even less. I recently went for 3 days and had a great time, but that was the first time I'd seen them in 2 years. The wrestlers are really my family now.
Q How did your family react when they learned you were moving into the Wrestling Industry Actually, I didn't tell them until after a few months of training...I hopped the Greyhound to Massachusetts and said goodbye to New York, not sure when and if I'd ever be in touch with them again. After a few months when I had a place to stay and training was going well, I did call, and we've been in touch ever since, but, like I said, wrestling is not something they care to know anything about.
Q What jobs interested you while you were growing up
Ever since I was 8 I just wanted to be a wrestler. I was studying dance, but I never really thought of that as a job, just fun, excersize and good friends. Before I was 8 I wanted to be a surgeon, because I was a fan of the TV show M*A*S*H, which I would watch with my Dad when he got home from work.
Q Looking into your past what one thing would you change if you could
I think I would have kept in touch with some of my high school friends more. There are people who I grew up with that I just kind of left behind when I started wrestling, I regret that they are no longer there to be in my life.
Q Do you have any comments you would like to share with all of your fans
Thanks for supporting me, and I'll do my best to be worthy of that support.
Q What is your favorite Movie
Dances with Wolves
Q What is your favorite Television Show
Other than wrestling, The Simpsons.
Q What is your perfect meal
Lasagna, although enchiladas are a close second!
Q What music do you like listening to
I listen to anything, and I do mean anything...big band, christian rock, country, heavy metal, oldies, hip hop, pop, whatever
Q Do you have any particular favorite Bands
The Kentucky Headhunters
Q Do you have time to go to Music Concerts and if so what ones have you recently been to
The last concert I went to was a Garth Brooks concert in '98 or so in the Worcester Centrum. Lately I haven't had the time or money for concerts.
Q If there was one thing fans dont know about you what would it be?
I guess that I'm a bookworm. I love to read, and am especially partial to science fiction/fantasy, although I also like Autobiographies.
Q Is there anything else you would like to say to all your fans out there?
Thanks for reading this!
<<< GO BACK