Don't mistake her for Jazz or Jacqueline--her
name is Josie, and she's drop-kicking her
way to becoming a legend in her own right. She has admitted
to being mistaken for these women on past occasions however,
women's wrestling aficionados know better. The majority
of women's wrestling enthusiasts were delighted to see her
challenge Awesome Kong at TNA's
2008 Slammiversary. With tenacity, she
slapped Kong to the face, getting a huge
rise out of the crowd. This left an instant impression on
those who were seeing her for the first time. On August
28, 2008 on TNA Impact! she returned as Sojourner
Bolt and was once again defeated by Awesome
Kong. That night, google.com searches for "Sojourner
Bolt" brought Lethalwow.com numerous visitors,
she undoubtedly left an impression.
At Bound for Glory IV, she rose to the
occasion once again as she and Eric Young
defeated Christy Hemme and Lance
Rock in the steel asylum. Josie
is determined to securing a contract to wrestle full time
with a top company. She has already taken Ohio Valley
Wrestling by storm; winning the OVW Women's
Championship on four occasions, defeating Katie
Lea and Serena Deeb.In an exclusive
interview for lethalwow, she talks about OVW, Shimmer, TNA
and more. You can be sure that with her perseverance she
will Pop, Lock and Drop her way to the top. Arron
Carlton: Thanks for taking the time
to answer some questions--Firstly, It's been great seeing
you in TNA. What has that experience been
like for you?
Josie:
It was great. The locker-room was so welcoming. I have worked
with a good portion of the roster in past in various promotions,
so there was a lot of catching up with people. It’s
nice walking into the locker-room and be greeted with smiles.
Arron
Carlton: Before TNA,
you've encountered the phenomenon that is Awesome
Kong--what further insight can you give about the
women that has captivated the wrestling world?
Josie:
She is the real deal…I doubt I will ever encounter
another wrestler like her anywhere in the world. She has
incredible intensity. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity
to face her 3 times. Arron
Carlton: What's your current status
with TNA Wrestling? What's the likelihood
of us seeing you as a full time competition the promotion?
Josie:
My current status is I am a wrestler aka independent contractor.
You would have to talk to the powers that be at TNA
to get the answer to that question but I would say there
is a good chance of seeing Sojourner Bolt
in action again soon. Arron
Carlton: Besides being graced with your
presence in TNA, 2008 has been a great
year for you...you defeated WWE DivaKatie
Lea back in February 27, 2008 to win the OVW
Women's Championship. How was that moment for you?
What was it like working with Katie Lea?
Josie:
Honestly, it caught me by surprise. I’m not the kind
of wrestler that focuses on titles. The OVW Women’s
Championship was on the waist of Melina
Roucka for over 5 months when Katie Lea
won it from her. The next week I won it clean. If you look
at the women who held and fought for that title in the past,
ODB, Beth Phoenix, Serena
Deeb...at that moment I joined a very exclusive
club of women who represented the female face of one of
the most important wrestling companies in the world. That
is what I am proud of. Katie Lea is cool
to work with. She had a lot of creative ideas in her time
at OVW. Arron
Carlton: The WWE ended
their relationship with OVW as a developmental
territory on February 7th 2008; do you think that decreased
you chances of being signed with the WWE?
You've mentioned a career highlight of having a try-out
match with the WWE, tell us about that.
Josie:
Not at all. Danny Davis and Ohio
Valley Wrestling still have a strong relationship
with WWE. Danny Davis has been a big supporter
of mine and was sending my matches and photos to talent
relations long before the pull out. I’ve been to a
few “try-outs” in the past 6 years. I have had
to make a lot of changes to become more of a marketable
product. My progress is being monitored. Arron
Carlton: You have since won the title
on two more occasions, defeating Serena Deeb,
tell us about that.
Josie:
Actually, I am a 4 time OVW Women’s Champion.
Serena and I have been battling back and
forth since last year. We have freaking great matches. She’s
incredibly talented and has gotten the best of me 3 times…hence
I am no longer the champ.
Arron
Carlton: Another top promotion associated
with you is Shimmer...we haven't seen you
as of late in SHIMMER--will you compete
in a Shimmer show in the near future?
Josie:
Shimmer is one of the best companies
out there showcasing women’s wrestling. I am proud
to have been a part of the roster. They always say never
say never in wrestling but I am not booked for them at this
time.
On October 13, 2007 for
SHIMMER Volume 16, Josie and "The Portuguese
Princess" Ariel defeated Portia Perez & Nicole Matthews
Arron
Carlton: You have worked with the best
in the industry, who are some noteworthy ladies that you
will like to mention?
Josie:
I am very lucky to have had the opportunities that I’ve
had. Early on in my career I got to work a long feud with
Ms. Natural out of Harley Races camp. She
is an incredible wrestler and now one of my best friends
in the world. I wouldn’t have made it this far with
out the guidance of Malia Hosaka and Lexie
Fyfe. Their mentoring in and out of the ring is
a valuable asset to the world of women’s professional
wrestling. It’s rare and more girls should reach out
to them for help. I’ve had some sweet matches with
MsChif, Mickie Knuckles,
Sara Del Ray, and ODB.
On March 24,
2007in NWA Midwest: MsChif defeated Josie
to retain the NWA Women's title
Arron
Carlton: Who have you never worked with
and would want to work with in the future? or inactive wrestlers
that you would have want to worked with?
Josie:
There are a couple. I was training at OVW
when Beth Phoenix was there. We have tagged
together and against each other in OVW
but no singles matches. Getting Jacqueline
in the ring would be a dream come true. Of the currently
inactive, Nora Greenwald and Jazz.
Oh and the recently retired April Hunter.
People don’t know that we live on the same street
and work out together fairly often.
Arron
Carlton: In the past, we've have a handful
of phenomenal African American female wrestlers, you're
no exception, when it's all said and done, you'll be in
the ranks of icon Jackie Moore,
Jazz, Awesome Kong--as a wrestler
period, however, would you say the journey is harder or
easier for a minority in the business?
Josie:
It’s a double edge sword really. In some ways it has
probably gotten me more work but there are places I could
not work due to people’s ignorance. I find that wrestling
still has a lot of people stuck in the middle ages when
it comes to race. I see it more being a woman from Minnesota
now living in Kentucky. In 6 years, I have only had one
bad experience due to a racial slur. What I find funny is
I have been told I look like all the women you mentioned
and I think we can all agree they look nothing like each
other. Arron
Carlton: What are your goals or what
you hope to accomplish in 2009?
Josie:
I am still working on my 2008 goals. Right now in 2008,
I am working on securing a contract. In 2009 I want to secure
a permanent role on television and do what I love, wrestle. Arron
Carlton: Where can anyone get videos
or DVDs of any of your matches?
Josie:
You can purchase dvd's of my work in Shimmer
at www.rohwrestling.com.
You can also look for my work in Derby City Wrestling
at www.derbycitywrestling.com.
My work in Ohio Valley wrestling can be
purchased at www.ovwrestling.com.
Quick note, OVW's tv show can be downloaded every week at
www.ovwrestling.com as well.
I want to thank my family, my friends, and all
my fan around the world. I couldn't have made it this
far without all of you.
Look for Josie everyweek on OVW TV and
Sojourner Bolt on TNA. And if you can't
wait that long look me up on Myspace at www.myspace.com/josiebomb2
Arron Carlton is the Owner, Webmaster and Contributing Writer
at Lethalwow.com. He can be reached by e-mail at webmaster@lethalwow.com,
or through Myspace.com (http://www.myspace.com/arroncarlton).
When using any of this information, give proper writing or Web
site credit to Lethalwow.com or Arron Carlton.
