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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Roxy Astor (from GLOW) Interview

When Tina Ferrari left GLOW after season 2, a replacement for her was needed. That was when Roxy Astor came onto the scene, joining the GLOW roster and remaining with the company for the rest of GLOW's run. In this interview, Roxy discusses GLOW, the Roxy character, and her most recent involvement in the pro-wrestling industry.

Q: Why did you enter the pro-wrestling industry?

A: I entered the pro-wrestling industry because I needed a job at the time, not knowing what i was getting myself in to.

Q: What was the best part about working for GLOW?

A: The best part of working for GLOW, has to be the amazing true fans, when they love you, they love you, when they don't watch out!

Q: Currently, former GLOW director Matt Cimber is working on a new female wrestling promotion named Femme d’Action. Do you see it having a bright future?

A: Femme d'Action is going to take over where GLOW left off, empowering women again! I was actually a judge on the new show Femme d'Action and my daughter a contestant, let me tell you there is nothing like it out there, it will be an international hit! Another home run for Matt Cimber.

Q: What are your thoughts on the following former G.L.O.W. members:

A: BEASTIE - What an amazing character inside and outside of the ring, she could get more guys then any of us GLOW girls.



MAJOR TANYA - She hated to lose with a passion, especially to me.



WIDOW - Widow was actually played by the same girl who played Dementia, and with this character you get to hear her southern drawl.

DEMENTIA - Probably one of the funnest girls to wrestle, being that she didn't talk we had to come up with a lot of good stuff, and that axe, that thing was real!

ZELDA - Funny inside and outside of the ring, I wish she would reach out to us now though, we miss her.

LIGHTNING - What can I say, the girl has no rhythm which made her even more adorable, to this day I don't think she realizes how much rhythm she doesn't have, she is actually the trainer for the new show Femme D'Action.

DAVID MCLANE - Never knew him and never met him, I just know that he is doing POWW, my daughter Kayla tried out for it and didn't even get a response back. WELL IN YOUR FACE DAVID MCLANE, she is going to be in the new show Femme d'Action.

Q: Which do you feel was your best match in GLOW?

A: My matches with Godiva I felt were my best, because she got to me like no other could, with that mouth!



Q: Which was your favorite match in GLOW?

A: My favorite GLOW match was with Dementia when Big Bad Momma put a spell on us and I became Dementia and Dementia became Roxy Astor. Very funny!



Q: Have you done any wrestling since GLOW?

A: I did a small match about a year ago, c'mon Williams were getting up there in age, give me a break! lol

Q: Throughout the years, many female wrestling promotions have come and gone, but none of them made an impact like GLOW did. To this day, GLOW remains the all-time favorite of many women's wrestling fans. In your opinion, what was it about GLOW that has made it stand out from other female wrestling promotions?

A: The reason that I think GLOW has made such an impact is good timing, great writers, amazing director and quirky off the wall females, gotta love us!

Q: Were you a wrestling fan before you were involved with GLOW?

A: Here's a secret I was a GLOW wrestling fan, I use to watch Tina Ferrari and want to be her, c'mon what girl didn't, well who would have thought I would be the new replacement, Ms. Roxy Astor. Not me.

Q: Comparing the view of female wrestling during the existence of GLOW to the view of female wrestling in the year 2013, do you feel that female wrestling is more respected? Also, do you feel that the quality of female wrestling has improved?

A: To compare wrestling back then to the WWE Divas, you really can't, I think the Divas take a back seat to the men.

Q: Do you watch pro-wrestling currently?

A: I will find myself sometimes watching pro-wrestling its like a car wreck you can't look away even though it's sooo wrong. lol

Q: How much of you was a part of the character? Or do you feel that you and Roxy Astor are like night and day?

A: I am so much like Roxy Astor its funny, were strong, competitive and as we're kicking your ass we smile for the camera, now I don't have Roxy's red hair or her money, but I still love my girl Tiffany Million.

Q: Who would you have liked to wrestle, that you did not?

A: I would have loved to wrestle the Housewives and been called a whore through the whole match, they were my favorite in GLOW.

Q: What is your long-term goal?

A: My long-term goal is just staying true to myself, family and fans, and showing my daughter Kayla who had to follow in her mom's footsteps the ropes!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Ashley Cartier (from GLOW) Interview

Ashley Cartier was one of the most active members of the GLOW roster during her pro-wrestling career. She portrayed both a face (Ashley) and heel (Mabel) character, and was the host of her own segment ("Asking Ashley Cartier").

Q: Why did you enter the pro-wrestling industry?

A: It was by chance/luck. I auditioned for a, "children's show involving sports". This show was called, "The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling" in which I was cast to portray "Ashley Cartier" and "Mabel" (wore a black mask).

Q: What was the best part about working for GLOW?

A: The character creation opportunity & playing both a good & bad character. I also enjoyed the skits, raps and "G.L.O.W GAMES".

Q: What are your thoughts on the following former G.L.O.W. members:

A: ATTACHE' - Great wrestler, safe & easy to work with.



SPANISH RED - Talented and creative.



PALESTINA - Dependable and talented, very easy-going personality.



TINA FERRARI (known as Ivory in WWE) - My partner! Love her!



LITTLE FIJI - Shy and reserved, very pleasant to work with.



ANGEL - Easy to work with and talented.

DAVID MCLANE - Easy going, funny, creative.

Q: Which do you feel was your best match in GLOW?

A: Ashley vs Ninotchka.

Q: Which was your favorite match in GLOW?

A: Sara & Mabel vs Mt Fiji & Little Fiji.



Q: The, "Asking Ashley Cartier" segments were a favorite of GLOW fans. How much input did you have in those segments?

A: I was given a script.



Q: Have you done any wrestling since GLOW?

A: No.

Q: Throughout the years, many female wrestling promotions have come and gone, but none of them made an impact like GLOW did. To this day, GLOW remains the all-time favorite of many women's wrestling fans. In your opinion, what was it about GLOW that has made it stand out from other female wrestling promotions?

A: GLOW was filled with versatility and slapstick humor involving women of all shapes, sizes and color.

Q: Were you a wrestling fan before you were involved with GLOW?

A: Just watched periodically.

Q: Comparing the view of female wrestling during the existence of GLOW to the view of female wrestling in the year 2013, do you feel that female wrestling is more respected? Also, do you feel that the quality of female wrestling has improved?

A: I feel the athleticism has improved although the caliber of entertainment lacks versatility and is not as effective as offered in GLOW.

Q: Currently, former GLOW director Matt Cimber is working on a new female wrestling promotion named Femme d’Action. Do you see it having a bright future?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you watch pro-wrestling currently?

A: Sometimes.

Q: What did you like the most about being a pro-wrestler?

A: The sisterhood and theatrics.

Q: How much of you was a part of the Ashley Cartier character? Or do you feel that you and Ashley Cartier are like night and day?

A: We are very much the same as I was given the opportunity to create "her" persona with all suggestions being subject to approval by the Director, Cimber.

Q: Who would you have liked to wrestle, that you did not?

A: Seasons 3 & 4 heels.

Q: What is your long-term goal?

A: I am currently a business owner and continue to pursue an acting career.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Little Feather (from GLOW) Interview

At age 18, Little Feather went from being a homeless teen to one of the stars of GLOW. She is currently an editor on the entertainment website NERDSociety, where she is better known as, "Kuno".

Q: Why did you enter the pro-wrestling industry?

A: When I was 18, I was invited to audition for GLOW by Debbie Debutante the Cheerleader. We were on the same gymnastics team together when we were younger.

Q: What was the best part about working for GLOW?

A:The overall experience which opened my eyes to a lot of things about life and people. I was pretty green back then and GLOW taught me a lot.

Q: What are your thoughts on the following former G.L.O.W. members:

A: ATTACHE- Very professional, nice lady.

EBONY – Old classmate from high school. She was only on the show for a short time but very nice also.

LITTLE FIJI – Nice girl. The youngest on the show next to me. I wonder where and how she’s doing.

SALLY THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER – One of my close friends on the show along with Tara the Southern Belle and Palestina. We had a lot of fun together hanging out in the room at the Riviera. Some of the best pillow fights ever!

Q: Which do you feel was your best match in GLOW?

A: The one with Attache. There were a lot of complicated wrestling moves in that which I’m proud we were actually able to pull off without any major injuries!



Q: Which was your favorite match in GLOW?

A: Either the one with Attache or Sally and Feather vs. the Soul Patrol, and anything vs. the Heavy Metal Sisters. They were a lot of fun.



Q: Have you done any wrestling since GLOW?

A: Not professionally, no. I was in a motorcycle accident some years back and injured my neck and spine. That pretty much sealed it that I’ll never wrestle again, at least not as vigorously as I once did.

Q: Throughout the years, many female wrestling promotions have come and gone, but none of them made an impact like GLOW did. To this day, GLOW remains the all-time favorite of many women's wrestling fans. In your opinion, what was it about GLOW that has made it stand out from other female wrestling promotions?

A: I think the fact that it was the first all-female pro-wrestling show to air on television. GLOW came along at a time where the audience was ready for something different, something a little edgy, a little over the top. We’re talking about the mid-to late 80’s when it first aired with shows like Full House and The Facts of Life. Women were just starting to be portrayed as having intellectual strength and prowess. GLOW showed that women could be physically strong as well.

Q: Were you a wrestling fan before you were involved with GLOW?

A: I knew about Hulk Hogan and Jerry Lawler’s whole “feud” with Andy Kaufman, which I really enjoyed. Andy sort of took wrestling to another level with Lawler. But I really didn’t know that much about it in the beginning.

Q: Comparing the view of female wrestling during the existence of GLOW to the view of female wrestling in the year 2013, do you feel that female wrestling is more respected? Also, do you feel that the quality of female wrestling has improved?

A: I think female wrestling today is still very male oriented. At least, the demographic being pandered to is still mostly male. I think more people are aware of it now and yes, it is more respected than it was. I remember having to explain to people that I wasn’t a mud wrestler as that was what people instantly thought female wrestling was about during the GLOW days.

Q: Currently, former GLOW director Matt Cimber is working on a new female wrestling promotion named Femme d’Action. Do you see it having a bright future?

A: I guess only time will tell. I certainly wish them luck with it.

Q: Do you watch pro-wrestling currently?

A: A little bit, when I can find the time. I’m pretty busy these days but if it happens to be on, I’ll take a look. I’m more into watching boxing or MMA.

Q: What did you like the most about being a pro-wrestler?

A: Being able to utilize my acrobatic skills in another arena.

Q: How much of KUNO was a part of the Little Feather character? Or do you feel that Little Feather and Kuno are like night and day?

A: When I say Little Feather was young (barely 18 when I joined GLOW), I’m not just referring to chronological age. Just a few months before GLOW, I was a homeless teen living in my car on the streets of Las Vegas. I grew up very sheltered and abused. I didn’t know much about anything, really. I’ve learned a lot since then and definitely have a better idea of who I am now. Kuno is like Little Feather all grown up.

Q: Who would you have liked to wrestle, that you did not?

A: Palestina. She was my roomie for a while and we had a lot of fun together outside of the ring. It would’ve been great to see what what sort of shenanigans we could pull off inside the ring.

Q: Although GLOW was a family-friendly product, it featured many characters with stereotypical cultural backgrounds. At the time, this was something that everyone overlooked, instead focusing on the entertainment value of GLOW. If a new promotion were created in today's era with a similar style, do you think it would be as accepted as GLOW is?

A: Society has definitely changed since GLOW. The 80’s in general was very un-politically correct. I doubt a similar show today would be able to pull off the same stereotypes that GLOW did. There would definitely have to be more censorship in that area, to avoid insulting the audience... or getting sued!

Q: What is your long-term goal?

A: I'm a writer so if I can continue writing I'll be happy. I also want to do more traveling. I'm an ESL teacher so one of my long-term plans is to teach English in different countries like Japan. Ultimately I want to open a shelter home for abused women and/or children.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Aces and Eights/NWO Comparisons

I noticed that there have been a lot of comparisons between the NWO and the Aces and Eights as of late, especially now that AJ Styles is involved with the Aces and Eights storyline in a fashion similar to how Sting was involved in the NWO storyline. While it's true that there are similarities, what's odd to me is that sometimes these comparisons are being done in a complaining, "This is a knockoff, I've seen it" manner.

The NWO and Aces and Eights storylines were created by the same person- it's legally impossible to steal from yourself, so the Aces and Eights storyline is not a knockoff. It's not even a form of recycling, since the only similarity that both storylines share is the, "gang and peer pressure" theme, with a group of associates claiming territorial control while attempting to recruit a loner. The theme was very successful in WCW, and anyone who is successful in business knows that if an idea works, it should be used until it no longer works.

Another point that should be mentioned is that TNA's main target audience are viewers between the ages of 18 and 34. The youngest viewers (18 years of age in this case) are the most valuable because they have fewer financial responsibilities than the older viewers and therefore are more likely to spend money on the TNA product. The NWO storyline was in it's prime in 1997, which was 16 years ago- TNA's youngest target fans were 2 years old at that time! They were too young to truly experience the NWO storyline back then, so the Aces and Eights storyline is a fresh and completely new style of storyline for them.

I'm sure that somewhere on an Internet forum right now there is an ongoing debate between NWO fans in their 30's and Aces and Eights fans in their teens/early 20's regarding which storyline is the best. In truth, they both are- the NWO storyline was the most-discussed WCW storyline during its period of existence, just as the Aces and Eights storyline is the most-discussed TNA storyline currently.