by Gerry Strauss
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Happy 2003, true believers...I am STILL Gerry Strauss, this is STILL "Seven Deadly Questions", and therefore I am STILL interviewing all kinds of people in the wrestling business, near and far, and asking them some tough questions that might make for some interesting answers and, more importatntly, might just get them to use really bad words...with that said, who better to track down for my latest column then a woman who participated in maybe the most vulgar little gimmick in early NWA TNA history, the beautiful Seven Briggs aka Fluff Dupp, storyline relative of the Dupps...no delay, here you go, but if you wanna write me for any reason, I'm at djg4evr@aol.com OR gerrystrauss@aol.com, so have fun and here you go...
1) First off, what was your financial arrangement with NWA TNA? Was it a contract, or per appearance, and what type of money were you promised?
I signed a contract for 4 shows (everyone either signed a 4 show or 1 show contract at first), in which I was paid a sum of money for each show and airfare was included. I won't go into detail about how much they paid me but I will say it was very good :)
2) The early Dupps storylines, featuring extreme themes of perversion and alleged inbreeding, were probably the most bashed segments in TNA's short history. How did you feel about them at the time, and did you have any input?
I didn't feel that the segments were that badly bashed. I did feel a little awkward at first but the segments were so funny that it didn't really bother me, and Bo and stan were great to work with. We did had some input, even though the scenes are written before we get there...Jerry Jarrett and Vince Russo made a point to ask me if anything bothered me and to let them know if it did.
3) What is your opinion of Vince Russo, the man who was a huge creative force in TNA at that time, and has since returned to the forefront there?
Well, I didn't have a chance to work with him that much but when I did he was very nice. I was pretty intimidated at first but he actually came off as a nice guy to me. But as far as his input, I really don't know how much input he has now or had then because when I was there he was directing backstage segments and helping with matches...I really don't know how much more he was involved.
4) During TNA's first shows, there was a LOT of talent that has never returned, particularly women. These names include Francine, Bobcat, you, and a host of others. It was almost inevitable, as there was no way it would be practical to use all of those people regularly, but why do you think some were kept, and others were not? Please be as specific as possible.
Well, I think they were just feeling things out at first. Money could be a factor also in that they would have to keep flying all the girls out every week as none of us lived close enough to drive every week. All of the girls that were there were awesome and could have done great had there been solid storylines to put them in. There basically isn't any of the original ones left on the show accept for Goldylocks and now they have brought back Priscilla from the first show. I also heard they are using Athena on some of the shows which is great because she is a really great worker.
5) On a different topic, here is a question I have always wanted to ask someone. We all know the phenomenon of the groupie, or in wrestling, the "rat". There are many stories about women who give themselves freely to the "boys" after the shows, but what about the female performers? In your experience, have you ever experienced any suggestive advances from fans, male OR female? Any stories?
Well, I get all sorts of stuff yelled at me while I'm at ringside. But its rare that someone comes up and says anything suggestive to my face. Although lately with my new website I have been getting some nasty e-mails asking me to do explicit stuff on video and sell it to them!! I swear these people really have some nerve, lol.
6) Have you had any contact with TNA since your stint? Any interest on either side in coming back to them?
Yes, I did see Jerry Jarrett at the NWA 54th anniversary show, but nothing was said about coming back :( I think they have a misconception that I can't work their show because of school. I had to turn down one TNA show because I couldn't miss school that week (I had missed the previous 2 weeks for TNA), I was in nursing school at the time and they are very strict about absenses. However I just graduated on December 18. So, I am free to do anything now :)
7) It seems, as I type this, that lesbian angles, once thought revolutionary in ECW, are becoming more and more commmonplace. We have had HLA and Dawn Marie and Tori Wilson in the WWE, Goldilocks and April in TNA, and more springing up all the time? As a married woman, how do you feel about this? Would you refuse a storyline like that, and if so, at what point?
Thats a hard one. It would really depend on the situation and who the
segment would be with. I know I would be very uncomfortable doing that
and I feel that if you are uncomfortable with something then the segment
will show it. But, if you are under contract, its hard to refuse do to
something. So, I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it,
lol :)
Previous Columns:
Billy Reil
Matthew Hendrickson
Chris Hamrick
Kevin Matthews
Pete Van Orton
Rockin Rebel
