A new all-women’s company makes its debut this weekend when Pro Wrestling: EVE debut at the Delphi Club in Sudbury, Suffolk. Over the next few pages we preview the event including interviews with promoter Dann Read, The Alpha Female, Jenny Sjodin and we’re even graced with some words from Melanie Price.
Interview with Promoter Dann Read
Dann Read is no stranger to promoting all-female wrestling events in the UK. He previously worked for ChickFight promoting several shows that saw overseas stars such as Amazing Kong, MsChif, Cheerleader Melissa, Wesna, Lacey, Daizee Haze and Blue Nikita appear in the UK. Now he’s promoting his own company which makes its eagerly awaited debut this Saturday. So time to chat to Dann to find out more about Pro Wrestling:Eve
Do you think there's a demand for all-female shows, especially those that concentrate more on wrestling rather than the glamour side that WWE give us?
There is a demand for it absolutely, it's not as popular as it was a couple years back mainly due to TNA dropping the ball but there are most certainly a number of people still interested in professional female wrestling. I don't think the key to the future though is just to provide to the fans of today but to try and expose the product to more people. That takes time but I'm in no hurry!
Can you tell my readers more about the Catch Division and its innovative rules? I've discovered that writing just doesn't do it justice so I think the best thing to do is for people to see for themselves, we do plan on uploading clips of The Catch Division contest onto our site for people to see and get an understanding of
Which matches are you most looking forward to on the debut show?
I'm genuinely looking forward to them all because everyone has so much to show. We're seeing a number of talents for the first time and with us being a part of Female Fight League and coming off the back of the ChickFight shows we've amassed a number of fans worldwide who haven't seen Saraya since her ChickFight match with Melissa and haven't seen Blue Nikita since she defeated Wesna at ChickFight 11 and I know a lot of those fans are looking forward to seeing if those two can still cut it and steal the show a several years on.
Then you've got Britani Knight (ENG) v Blue Nikita (GRE), Sara-Marie Taylor (SCO) v Stayce Baybie (ENG), Saraya Knight (ENG) v Erin Angel (ENG) v Carmel Jacob (SCO) v Melanie Price (LA ??) in an Elimination Match, Alpha Female (GER) v Becky James (WAL), The Catch Division contest between Jenny Sjodin (SWE) and April Davids (ENG) and lots more as yet unannounced matches taken place on the night across the two tapings.
How strong do you think the women's scene is in the UK at present?
In the UK it's good but I'm not just thinking UK with regards to EVE. I've been very vocal about the fact that we're European. We've got Jenny Sjodin from Sweden, Alpha Female from Germany and Blue Nikita from Greece and there’s more talent out there that I've booked for our follow up show.
Sadly Jetta has announced her upcoming retirement which isn't good timing for Pro Wrestling: EVE I guess. How much will the UK scene miss her?
Jetta is a worldwide star so you know, she'll be missed by a lot more people than just the UK scene but I think we'll begin to understand a bit more about Jetta and her decision at EVE on May 8.
How can my readers find out more about Pro Wrestling: Eve?
People can find out about us by following us on twitter at www.twitter.com/ProWrestlingEVE , you can search for us on Facebook again under Pro-Wrestling:EVE and of course on www.EVEwrestling.com where there is going to be LOTS of updates once we have the first two tapings out the way!
Pro-Wrestling:EVE debuts with two tapings on Saturday May 8 @ The Delphi Club in Sudbury, Suffolk. Doors open at 6.30pm and first bell at 7pm. The show will end at 9.30pm and there are currently special offers on tickets at www.EVEwrestling.com
This show is full of mouth watering matches pitting the best female wrestlers in the UK against top overseas opposition. Greece may not be in the best financial state at the moment but it definitely has one of the best female wrestlers in Europe in the shape of Blue Nikita. Nikita has held titles all over Europe including the UK where she won the WAWW World title last year, a title she still holds. Saraya Knight has been at the top of the women’s scene in the UK for a number of years now, though recent years have seen her battling with her daughter Britani to be the best female wrestler in the house let alone the country. An all-out battle worthy of any women’s wrestling show in the world is safely predicted.
Catch Division: Jenny Sjodin vs. April Davids
Jenny Sjodin moved to the UK last year and has already made an impact on the women’s wrestling scene. She’s no stranger to her opponent April Davids as they’ve faced each other in FutureShock Wrestling in Manchester, where the Swedish wrestler now lives. I asked Jenny her views on this match. "She's aggressive and has a lot of intensity which I appreciate. Similar to myself, much of her inspiration doesn't come from TV-wrestling but the Japanese leagues. I heard that she has started doing kickboxing recently which shows an increased focus on the physical side of the sport. I expect an exciting match and I guess that these no-frills catch wrestling rules probably will fit her almost as well as they will suit me."
Jetta vs Jemma Palmer
As one door closes another opens and as one career ends one begins. That sums up the match between Jetta and Jemma Palmer. Jetta surprised her fans around the world when she recently announced that’s she would be retiring from the ring in June, well she is 22 after all. That comes as a major blow to companies in UK and to SHIMMER where Jetta formed one half of the International Home Wrecking Crew.
Jemma Palmer is best known to the general public in the UK as ‘Inferno’ from the Sky TV series ‘Gladiators.’ However Jemma had already received a WWE try out before that big break came and a wrestling career now beckons. Jemma has now signed with WWE and is due to start with FCW once some annoying visa problems are sorted out. Strangely though this match will be Jemma’s first in the ring, can she get off to a winning start against such an experienced opponent, especially one who won’t want to face many defeats, if any, before retiring.
The Alpha Female vs Becky James
The Alpha Female, as you’ll have read in our interview on pages of this edition isn’t someone who’s particularly short of confidence in herself. Having enjoyed success throughout Europe, she now comes to England hoping to continue her dominance.
Her opponent Becky James is certainly less experienced than her opponent but has the exuberance Trained by Lance Storm and the first female graduate of the Storm Wrestling Academy no one can say James hasn’t been well schooled for a successful pro wrestling career. The ever confident Alpha Female may well be in for a shock this weekend.
Blue Nikita vs. Britani Knight
If facing Saraya isn’t a hard enough task then Blue Nikita also has to face her daughter on May 8th.
Britani Knight has enjoyed unrivalled success in the UK in the past year or so. Title successes in HEW, RQW, WAW and RDW have seen her dominate the UK scene in style. Feuds with wrestlers such as Jetta and her own mother have thrilled fans up and down the country. Rumours are that America beckons for Britani in the not so distant future. This clash with Blue Nikita is much anticipated that’s for sure.
Saraya Knight vs Erin Angel vs Carmel Jacobs vs Melanie Price
They say that three’s a crowd but when it’s a match with four competitors it can only mean that Melanie Price has gate-crashed the party. Saraya Knight already has a lot on her plate with that match against Blue Nikita but now she has three more opponents to worry about. Erin Angel may lack in height but she more than makes up with it when it comes down to talent. A regular on the UK circuit for a number of years now taking on all-comers with a great deal of success. Carmel Jacobs has enjoyed great success in Scotland feuding with rivals such as Sara and Nikki Storm. This rare match in England is bound to see her wanting to make an instant impression. Then of course there’s the ‘celebrity’ Melanie Price who has somehow wormed her way into this match. A regular in FutureShock, heaven knows just what she’ll get up to on Saturday.
Stacye Baybie vs. Sara-Marie Taylor
Stacye Baybie is the youngest competitor on the card. A product of the RDW Academy, Baybie made her pro debut last year and received plenty of chances to shine during the busy RDW summer season. As well as enjoying singles success Baybie also teamed up with Chelsey Love (formerly Bubbles) to form the tag combo known as ‘Baby Love.’ Now she has the chance to make her name outside of RDW and faces a tough assignment taking on Scottish Women’s Champion Sara-Marie Taylor.
Sara’s enjoyed great success in her home country and had long feuds with Carmel Jacobs. Trained by current WWE star Drew McIntyre and WAW veteran Ricky Knight, Sara is definitely one of the toughest opponents Stacye has ever faced.
There are few tougher women around at present than Jenny Sjodin. The Swedish star isn’t just making a big name for herself in the world of professional wrestling but in MMA as well. This weekend sees her facing April Davids on the debut Pro Wrestling: Eve show. More about that clash on page ** of this issue. Time to find out more about Jenny and please note this is probably the only ever interview that will feature a Swedish wrestler discussing the British General Election, all will be revealed why shortly.It was watching Japanese women’s wrestling that got you interested in pro wrestling, what was it about that style of wrestling that so grabbed your attention?
I primarily fell for their dedication. No matter how many times they did a move wrong they just repeated it over and over again without even thinking about giving up. Never once did anyone appear to hide behind the fact that they were women just to go easier on each other. At that time I saw them as human machines and I started to dream that one day I’d become one myself.
What made you decide you wanted to be a wrestler rather than just a fan?Being a fan wasn’t an option, since I simply had never been a fan at all, until stumbling over Joshi Puroresu. Even with the initial amazement it wasn’t so much about watching the sport as the notion that possibly this was something I could be doing myself. That if I wanted it enough I could be a wrestler.
How strong is the pro wrestling scene in Sweden?
A lot of exciting things are happening in Sweden at the moment, with the sport growing and getting attention. Some more women are also getting involved. On the other hand it is building from virtually nothing so it’s a bit premature to assume too much about what will be coming out of it all.As well as being a trained professional wrestler you also fight in other styles. Which do you prefer and does your experience in MMA help your wrestling career in any way?
I get this question all the time and the true answer is that I couldn’t really choose between one or the other. I just love fighting in all different styles. To me they all complement each other. My submissions get better from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I do, my kicks and strikes from MMA and my take downs come from amateur wrestling. If I wasn’t doing the other fighting, my pro style would be totally different. As well as training in Ireland you moved to Manchester in England last year. How difficult has it been to move away from your home country and why did you make the move to England in particular?
It is of course really hard to leave your family, friends and studies to live abroad, but my goals in fighting continue to inspire me every day. In the tougher moments when I’m injured, ill and can’t train I sometimes get a sense of hopelessness, but I can cope with it since I get a lot of support from home. One of my former coaches over in Ireland; Prince Fergal Devitt told me that it probably would be a good idea to start off by going to England for a female wrestler. Women's wrestling has a history here and the scene is bigger than anywhere else in Europe.
How strong do you think the UK Scene is as far as female wrestlers are concerned?As said, the talent pool is way bigger than anywhere else, so it ends up as the logical place to go for a female professional wrestler with an aim to wrestle world wide. With all the possibilities to train here you inevitably get the full spectrum of participants, from the very best to the people who don’t pursue the game seriously but still think they should get booked.
Who have been your toughest opponents?People can be tough in different ways, but two persons stands out. Possibly I shouldn’t go into male territory but very few people have managed to give me such beatings as my former coach and occasional opponent Phil Boyd. Outside of that, Pippa L’Vinn is in a class almost by herself, she is a legitimate, well versed athlete and I feel honored every time that I am in the ring with her.
You’re due to be appearing on the debut Pro Wrestling: Eve show on May 8th and have also appeared on all women shows promoted by Pippa L’ Vinn. How different are these all-women shows from other mixed shows? There has been a very relaxed atmosphere at the all-female shows I’ve been on. Pippa's events are special though, not just because it’s only women, but because there is so much respect for the heritage of wrestling and the old school way of doing things. Practically speaking it’s not as loud as when men share your locker room, female wrestlers just don’t appear to be as fascinated with their own voices and ideas. The backstage reality of these shows is in stark contrast to the myth of women in groups gossiping and stabbing each other in the back.
Away from the world of professional wrestling you’re a political columnist for a newspaper in Sweden and have been a member of the City Council in Sundsvall. When did you become interested in politics and is it something you’d like to pursue further when you end your wrestling/MMA career?I’ve been involved in politics in different ways since I was about 12 years of age. I started writing in my early teens and then got the job as a columnist. This summer, just like the last few summers, I’m going to work full time as a political editor, which is something I’m looking forward to a lot. I love writing and to influence people and as long as I can combine it with my fighting career I’m going to keep it up. I hope I will never be forced to make a choice between the two. In the long run however I can probably write longer than I can fight.
What do you think of the current British election campaign?
To be honest I think the single most exciting aspect of this election is hardly the outcome, but the discussion about the electoral system that has surfaced. Since I used to study political science and democracy theories, I find it interesting to see how the development of a third big party will affect this rigid and non flexible system. It’s however great to see that there is indeed still a yearning for responsible liberalism in a country where politics for a period has been synonymous with the populism of two conservative parties.
Who have been the biggest influences on your career?Without a doubt Chigusa Nagayo and "The God of Professional Wrestling" Karl Gotch, without those two I wouldn’t be doing this.
What ambitions do you have in professional wrestling?To keep improving and to be the best and most legitimate wrestler that I possibly can. I think it’s become pretty clear to anyone that has had any interest in my career that I really wouldn’t mind a contract in Japan at all either.
How can my readers find out more about you and your career?
You can keep up with me on my website http://jennysjodin.com or follow me on twitter twitter.com/jennysjdin
It’s a while since I interviewed The Alpha Female, who seems to have a very high regard of herself that’s for sure. This weekend sees her wrestle in England for the first time. When I previously asked her why she’d yet to make her debut in England I was told "England is yet not ready for an excellent wrestler like the Alpha Female. But if there is a worthy opponent who I can destroy and the promoters have the money to afford me so I would be there. And until then English fans have to watch those second rate female wrestlers." That long awaited debut takes place this weekend when she faces Rebecca James on the Pro Wrestling: Eve show in Sudbury.
What got you interested in pro wrestling and when did you decide to be a pro wrestler rather than just a fan?
I started watching wrestling long time ago but it bored me just to watch and I wanted to be a part of this wonderful business. I always new I could give something great to this business and my success shows that I did the right decision again.
What was your training process like and what was the most difficult part of it for you?
Honestly, I don't have to train as much as most of the little sissy girls. some people just have it and I'm one of them. But when I train I train harder than anybody else.
What are your memories of your debut on a GWF show in April 2001?
I can’t really remember that day because it is too long ago. But the audience must remember it because they have seen something beautiful, unique and great. I don't really remember who won but I'm sure I didn't lose.
I read that at one time you were the only German female wrestler, how did that make you feel?
I am still the one and only German female professional wrestler out there. I'm proud to represent my country Deutschland anywhere I go. There are a couple of rookies there but it will take a long long time till they are even close to my success and achievements. At the moment they are just
embarrassing!
You've feuded with Wesna, how difficult an opponent is she and what's been your most memorable match?
First of all: EVERY MATCH OF THE ALPHA FEMALE IS A MEMORABLE ONE! Wesna is not bad but not even near the class, glamour and talent of the Alpha Female. For me she was just a better Sparring partner. I beat her in Spain and can do it again and again. And anybody who thinks different is not even worth talking to.
Initially your ring name was 'Jazzy Bi’ it’s now 'The Alpha Female’ why did you make the change and how have your fans reacted to this change?
I don't know Jazzy Bi but she must be really good if you guys compare her to me. But I have to say that there is no one human being on god's green earth who can be compared to the one and
only Alpha Female.
You appeared on the NWL tour of Ireland wrestling against jenny Sjödin, what was the tour like and what was it like wrestling against Jenny Sjödin?
It was a great tour like everything the Alpha Female does. On that tour there were besides the Alpha Female professionals like Joe Legend, Heidenreich, Gangrel, Chris Masters, Sandman Joe Cabbray and many more. The fights with Jenny were basically pretty easy for me but she cheated a lot (what I would NEVER EVER do) and so I lost to her maybe once. She is an amateur and the next time I will teach her respect. After the match she will kneel in front of me and bag for mercy.
How did you enjoy your time wrestling for Queens of Chaos in France?
In France a lot of female wrestlers meet up, some are good and some are not that good. But always good matches cause there you could see how I have become the best female wrestler ever and beat wrestlers like Pandora, Jennidee, Queen Maya, Jetta and Allison Danger. At the moment April Hunter is the champion there but it is just a matter of time till I beat her and show the world who is the real Queen of Chaos: THE ALPHA FEMALE!
How do you feel about the WWE style of women's wrestling when more emphasis is played on how someone looks rather than how well they can wrestle?
That is the reason, why the WWE is not taking me under contract! I am the best looking woman AND I am also the best female wrestler…I wouldn't have a challenge in WWE and they are afraid that I dominate the women's division like no other female wrestler before. Than every women would fear to go to WWE and I would be the only woman in WWE …
For fans who aren't too aware of the German wrestling scene can you tell me more about the companies that you wrestle for and how big the sport is in Germany?
The sport in Germany is getting bigger from day to day. I can tell these fans only one thing: Watch it once, than you will watch it every time! I rather wrestle in France, Switzerland or Spain to represent my country Deutschland proudly. I show everybody that there are strong women in Germany. We have a female president called Angelika Merkel, we are female football world champions and we have a female boxing champion called Susi Kentikian.
What are your ambitions in pro wrestling?
As the humble person that I am I don't want to change something. I just like to spread the news what everybody knows already:I am the best female wrestler in the world! And it doesn't matter where…TNA, WWE, Europe, Japan, Africa…EVERYWHERE! And if anyone thinks she is better than me, than come and challenge the ALPHA FEMALE and I will proof it also to you!
How can my readers find out more about your career?
Because I m a generous person I have a webpage for my fans. There they can watch my pictures, admire my fights and for those who can’t get enough of the Alpha Female, buy merchandise. If there is really somebody who doesn't know this page it is: www.alphafemale.de You can leave a comment there. Not that I care if you do or not but I want my fans that they feel special so it is www.alphafemale.de
Get your autograph books ready Melanie Price is on her way to Pro Wrestling: Eve (actual signing of said autographs cannot be promised!)
I guess we at ‘Fighting Females’ should be honoured that Melanie Price has agreed to send us some comments about her upcoming (and not entirely invited it has to be said) appearance at the debut Pro Wrestling: Eve show. After all it’s not every month that we have a finalist of Alderley Edge’s Next Top Model in our magazine.
So just who is Melanie Price, here’s the exclusive statement we’ve been sent from her publicist.
"The Talented Socialite, Actress, Model (finalist of Alderley Edge's Next Top Model), singer (winner of 2009's The Edge Factor), Cheerleader, Show Jumper, Water polo champion, Wilderness Girl, The Cheshire Dime Piece and Humanitarian of the year The It Girl Melanie Price, will be appearing at The Pro Wrestling Eve event in Suffolk on May 8th. Legions of her die hard fans will be in attendance, some travelling from as far as Hungary, Denmark and Uzbekistan (where she is currently number one in the charts with her single "Baby One more time.
She also hopes to take her "Genie In a bottle tour to Eastern Europe in the Spring of 2011. Travel Packages will be available from Alderley Airlines." Melanie will demonstrate her unparalleled athletic prowess between the ropes this Saturday, when she unveils her latest catwalk exhibition and ring entrance. Gasp at never before seen aerial moves including the middle rope pose.So be a part of history this Saturday when Pro Wrestling Eve becomes Pro Wrestling Price!!! Autographs MAY be available on request."
For More Information about this show go to www.EVEWrestling.com
