1. What inspired you to become a wrestler?
Someone told me I wouldn't be able to do it. I knew nothing about wrestling at the time, but I have never been one to back down from a challenge. I went to a training school and instantly fell in love with everything about wrestling.
Someone told me I wouldn't be able to do it. I knew nothing about wrestling at the time, but I have never been one to back down from a challenge. I went to a training school and instantly fell in love with everything about wrestling.
2. What was your early matches like?
I
actually started out wrestling a lot of men, especially in hardcore and
death matches. I'm not sure why I started out that way. Someone just
asked if I would be willing to do it, and I said yes. I was also a huge
fan of ECW and had watched countless Japanese deathmatch tapes, so it
only seemed natural for me to try it.
3. What was your favorite feud in your career?
My
feud with Chris Dickinson got a lot of people talking. He is a force in
wrestling to be reckoned with, and I feel privileged that someone saw
enough potential in me to out me up against him.
4.
You made your WSU Debut earlier this year. What is it like to be
involved in one of the best women's wrestling promotion in the United
States?
It
was an amazing feeling to be a part of some of the best women's
wrestling in the United States. I've always doubted my ability to hang
with the girls, since I've mostly wrestled men, and this was a great
boost to my confidence to know I was able to keep up with some of the
best female talents in North America.
5.
You have been battling the best women in North America in recent years.
And now you will be taking your talents to England to face off against
the best Europe has to offer. What is it like right now?
I'm
terrified. I always dreamed of coming to Europe to wrestle, and now
that it's actually happening, it seems incredibly surreal. I'm sure once
I actually step into a ring for the first time here, only THEN will it
actually seem like it's real.
6.
You will be facing off against Miss Mina in a match that declares the
first DOA Sirens Champion. What do you expect from that match?
I
have no idea what to expect! I know my style of wrestling is almost the
polar opposite of most European wrestling. I am a brawler, and I'm very
unorthodox compared to the calculated and exact British style of
wrestling. I'm expecting to learn a lot in that match and start to
adjust my own style to suit this new environment.
7. How did you get the nickname "The All-American Canadian?"
I
always used to joke about how much I loved the USA (especially being
half American and having citizenship). One night before an ISW show in
Connecticut, some wrestlers and I went and saw the Captain America movie
on opening night, and the buzz in the air from the patriotism was just
so infectious. I starting chanting "USA!!" and yelling "America!" all
night, and the persona kind of just stuck!
8. What is your take on Women's Wrestling?
I
like good wrestling. I don't really care if it's women or men doing it.
I don't seek out women's wrestling. I watch what I enjoy and what will
help me learn.
9. Do you watch the WWE product or the TNA product?
I
never ever watch TNA. I used to watch Raw and most of the PPVs back
home with my friends, since it was good fun in a nice group. Now that
I'm in the UK, I haven't quite figured out how to watch WWE shows. I
don't miss it too much though, so maybe that's saying something....
10. Do you wish to wrestle for SHIMMER or SHINE one day?
Of course! Why wouldn't I?
11.
You have been in the Anarchy Championship Wrestling's Queen Of Queens
Tournament. What is it like to be involved in the annual tradition in
Texas wrestling?
Oh
man, Texas was AMAZING! I seriously cannot wait to go back. Everyone
there was so kind and so welcoming! I had such a fun match and spent
some great times with friends. Hey, ACW, can I come back? Like...now?
12. Would you like to work on the independent scene or would you work in one of the big leagues?
I
pretty much am content with staying in the indies. I don't have any
grand illusions that wrestling will pay my bills and I'm going to be a
huge star. Fame is fleeting, and my body can only take so much. I have a
career outside of this world that I enjoy. Wrestling is a passion that I
have that I do to get away and enjoy myself. I don't want to rely on it
too much and then have it be ruined.
13. Let's go around with some name association. I say a name, you can respond to whatever you please.
Courtney Rush?
Amazing talent. Sweetest girl!
Xandra Bale?
Such a good roadtrip buddy! Love her!
Cheerleader Melissa?
First big name I wrestled. I learned sooooooo much!
Angelus Layne?
Miss her! Powerhouse lady!
Matt Tremont?
Can't say enough nice things. One of the genuine best dudes I know. He reminded me why I love brawling styles so much.
Chris Dickinson?
My big brother. We beat the piss out of each other because it's good for us. Kindred spirit of mine.
Cherry Bomb?
One of the first girls I met in the business. I learned a lot from her as well. Congrats on your wedding, Cherry!
14. What does the future hold for you?
I
think the future for me right now involves getting on my feet over here
in Europe. I basically am starting at the bottom like I did 7 years ago
in Canada. I'm excited to go new places and learn even more, but it'll
be a long road to get back to where I was.
15. In closing, would you like to leave a last message for your fans?
You
all are the most amazing people. I would not still be doing this after 7
years if it wasn't for all of you. I genuinely have the best fans in
this universe, or any other. Thank you so much for supporting me,
especially in the last few months. I promise soon you will see the
triumphant return of the All American Canadian!
Special thanks to Addy Starr for her time for this interview as well as the folks at DOA Wrestling for helping me out. To keep up with Addy Starr, follow her on Twitter @AddyStarr.
You can follow me on Twitter @matthewhollie