by Gerry Strauss
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
I'm gonna make this intro my shortest ever, because this is a really great interview...I'm Gerry Strauss, and these are my "Seven Deadly Questions", this time with east coast female extraordinaire, Noel. Check em out, and drop me a line at gerrystrauss@aol.com, have fun...
1) It seems like even in the indies, people are fickle when it comes to the ladies they want to see the most. I remember a time a few years ago when Bobcat was the "it girl" on the independent scene. Not too long ago, one might make the same case for Valentina. Now, it looks like you are the heir to the revolving throne. What are your thoughts on this theory?
I never really thought of my self as the "it" girl. I don't even realize sometimes that people know who I am. I recently went to an ECWA show to see my friends work, and people were coming up to me saying "Hi Noel" or "Are you managing Inferno tonight?". I was like "whoa." It was a bit of a shock. I think wrestling fans like to see something new all the time. I'm just the new kid on the block. Someday there will be another new kid. I' m just happy to have people call themselves my fans.
2) Most promoters are guys. They can book talent, push or de-push workers, and, in effect, hold a great deal of power in the shaping of one's career. As a woman who is still in what might be called the formative stages of her career in the wrestling business, how often do you come across promoters, or even other individuals, who attempt to use their power to take advantage of you? How common is the "casting couch" in wrestling? Give examples if you've got 'em.
I've never had anyone pull the"casting couch" on me. All the promoters I work with treat me really well. I've heard of girls having to do certain things to get there postions, that's just not what I'm about.
3) As somewhat of a sex symbol, you are putting yourself in a position to be the object of desire of lots of fans, ranging from prepubescents to dirty old men. What kinds of things have male (or female) fans done to, for, or at you? Gifts? Flowers? Letters? Share any stories you can think of, whether they are about nice people, or even better, total sickos...
I don't know if I'd call myself a sex symbol. Well, I get tons of emails
a week ranging from "Where do you buy your clothes?" to "Are
you and Inferno dating?" I get some very strange requests on occation,
especially from foot fetish people. Ok, I wrestled one match in my bare
feet now I'm like there icon or something,lol. I wonder if Jimmy Snuka
got mail like this?
One girl emailed me and told me she wanted to be like me, she dresses
like me ,carries a candy cane, and calls her boyfriend Inferno. That was
alittle weird.
AOL instant messanger can be a gift and a curse. I like talking to people
one on one most of the time. Sometimes, I get on to check my email at
4 am (when I get in from a show) and someone IM's and first questions
is "Are you the wrestler Noel?" then they'll ask "Are you
ticklish?" What is up with that? If you want to tickle something
at 4 am either get a girlfriend or a tickle me Elmo.
I usually don't get any gifts. By the way, If your reading this I like
red roses.
4) A commentary on your website mentions a bad experience you had in PA at a show. What was that all about?
I had a two day tournament around Christmas time, where I got injured. I thought I was managing till I got to the building, then they tell me I have to go 5 minutes with no offensive moves (basically a squash). I am already working with a bad knee, and it gave out during the match. I landed on it and tore it a little more. When I landed, my neck fell on the middle rope, and I had a bruise going ear to ear. The next night of this tournament, I was previously told there was going to be a pin tag team battle royal. When I got there it turned into over the top rope. I was too injured to participate, so I slide under the bottom rope and left as the match started.
5) Would you ever work for a women's promotion such as G.L.O.O.W, or similar promotions where all semblance of traditional wrestling is tossed out the window in exchange for T&A, mud matches, toplessness, and a strip club-like atmosphere? Why or why not?
No, believe it or not I'm more interested in the wrestling aspect than T and A. It's hard to tell with my character sometimes. I want to be able to give the fans a performance that I'm proud of. I don't think I could leave the ring with my head held high after participating in a topless oil match. I always say to each his own. If that is what you do for a living, then that is what you do. Personally, it's just not for me.
6) What's your experiences been like in dealing with other female workers and valets, particularly in JCW, where there are so many? Any jealousy or cattiness. Anyone in particular that you consider more of a problem to deal with than others?
I've never really experienced a large degree of jealousy in this business. JCW is like a family and all the girls pretty much get along. I talk to some of the girls everyday. I don't think Ricky O would have hired that many girls if they all didn't get along. I think to make a successful show you have to have harmony in your locker room. I'm pretty easy going, I haven't found too many people in this world that I don't get along with. I think if someone acted catty to me I would just say it's cool, we are all on the same team here, trying to put on a good show for the people. You don't have to be my best friend, but let's put issues aside and put on a excellent performance out there.
7) You act and model in addition to your work on wrestling shows. Let's test your priorities. Next week, you get a call from Vince Russo. "Noel", he says, "I want to use you for a week on TNA and see if my idea for your gimmick catches on, no promises of anything more. I got this great idea for a new- school, female version of George "The Animal" Steele. I need you to shave your head, dye your tongue green and chew on the turnbuckles, that's all" You in or out?" What would you do?
Sure I'd do it, but I'm also nuts. I would have to carry Mine though. (remember Mine that little gray fuzzy thing?) Wrestling is the most important thing in my life, everything else takes a back seat. Hair grows back, tongue dye wears off, and I think turnbuckles may be low in fat, sure I would do it, as long as they didn't want me to wrestle topless and grow back-hair. hehehe.
Previous Columns:
Billy Reil
Matthew Hendrickson
Chris Hamrick
Kevin Matthews
Pete Van Orton
Rockin Rebel
Fluff Dupp
Carmine Sabia
Tommy Fierro
