Wrestling and Pornography has crossed paths over the years.
We've seen Adult Stars such as Jasmin St. Claire
and Jenna Jameson get their 15 minutes
in wrestling, as with numerous models who have done nude
work become women of wrestling icons. In recent years,
female wrestlers and managers have become synonymous with
posing for Playboy and wardrobe malfunctions--a stigma
that numerous wrestling companies helped to perpetuate.
While this is to be expected from wrestling companies
attempting to market to their majority male audience,
in recent years, companies are having difficulty selling
T&A to serious wrestling fans. The WWE
for instance has been suffering with their "Diva" product
and met with an onslaught of criticism. Their rival TNA
and Indy Federations such as Shimmer
on the other hand, has been met with praise for not focusing
on T&A.
In recent weeks, headlines of an Adult-star gearing up
for the world of wrestling has been circulating. That
woman is Trina Michaels, a 4-time AVN
Award nominee. For Trina Michaels, only
time will tell how she fits in this equation. With recent
trends, it seems wrestling fans are more interested in
seeing women who can go at it in the ring like the men
do and not just fluff. It's evidently harder for a woman
with measurements of 34DD-24-36 to be respected. Trina
understands the challenges that she has embarked on. She
joined lethalwow.com for an interview where wrestling
fans could get some insight of the passion she has for
the business. She is without a doubt determined to make
it to the top and one day be featured at Wrestlemania.
Arron
Carlton: Who were some of your favorite
wrestlers or personalities at that time?
Trina
Michaels:Trish Stratus
no doubt…I also liked Christian, Rhino,
Team Angel (Kurt, Shelton
and Charlie) and Lita.
Arron
Carlton: When did you realize that
you could actually pursue a career in wrestling?
Trina
Michaels: May of this year…I
had no clue I would be accepted as much as I have been
so far. I did one gig (XPW reunion show)
for fun then it took off from there. Arron
Carlton: How did you get started in
the business?
Trina
Michaels: I became friends with people
in the WWE about a year ago through a
close friend of mine who is connected to them. Then that
same person (who most know as my big brother) connected
me to XPW and WEW. Then
I started searching local companies and hit them up and
that's where I’m at right now. Arron
Carlton: Who have you worked for thus
far?
Trina
Michaels:XPW, WEW, NWWL,
AWS, M1W. There would be more but scheduling
conflicts prohibited me from taking a few more bookings. Arron
Carlton: With whom and/or where are
you training to wrestle?
Trina
Michaels: Um I’m not too sure
I can say. Gonna have to keep quiet on that one. Sorry!
But I do know where I'd like to go and where I think I'll
be in a few months. Arron
Carlton: You first rose to fame as
an adult film starlet--any regrets?
Trina
Michaels: Nope not at all
Arron
Carlton: Your name was mentioned in
the Rolling Stone Magazine Bella Models Escort
scandal along with former WWE DivaAshley
Massaro---You want to respond to our readers
on that?
Trina
Michaels: Funny because this is how
this whole wrestling thing got started for me. I never
worked for Bella Models and I guess really the only job
I got from them was this wrestling career. People saw
I was doing the XPW Reunion show then
the article came out the same week and all the phone calls
and emails began to come in. I've personally never seen
the article but I guess it's an honor.
Arron
Carlton: You are a 4-time AVN
Award nominee...is it an accomplishment that you hold
dear or a period of time you're now leaving behind?
Trina
Michaels: I’m never going to
forget porn just like when I make it in wrestling...It's
a part of my life and who I am. If it wasn't for the fans
there would be no Trina Michaels and
you'd be doing this interview with someone else today.
Arron
Carlton: Who were some of your favorites
Actors to work with?
Trina
Michaels: Derek Pierce! Nicki Hunter!
Mr.Marcus!
Arron
Carlton: Do you think your fame as
an actress helped get you opportunities in the wrestling
industry?
Trina
Michaels: I think it helped me to
get at the door then when they saw my passion and wanting
to wrestle people forgot about the porn stuff. I opened
the door and walked in because of my passion for wrestling
and not because of my porn past. I could have done XPW
and said no more but that’s not me. My goal is to
prove to all of the haters that I can leave porn and make
a name for myself legitimately in wrestling.
Arron
Carlton: As a former adult actress,
many will discredit you in the ring--are you prepared
to battle the nay-sayers or prove them wrong?
Trina
Michaels: I'm ready to prove to people
why "Trina 4:69 says I just proved you wrong"
...hey I’m making a t-shirts off of that! (Laughs)
I know a few adult stars have tried to do the wrestling
thing and only lasted for a cup of coffee but I want to
be on the WrestleMania card one day. It may take years
but I'm going to be on it and I already know who I want
to wrestle also.
Arron
Carlton: Do you think that women who
were Diva Search Contestants, most former
models, and some who have done adult modeling such as
Maria Kanellis, Candice Michelle, Maryse Outlet,
Ashley Massaro, Tiffany (Taryn Terell) etc.—have
they lived up or are they living up to proving wrestling
fans wrong?
Trina
Michaels: I think anyone (male or
female) who steps in the ring has proven someone wrong.
It’s fucking tough but I knew that going in. I like
the divas and knockouts and can not wait to work with
any of them down the road. Arron
Carlton: Did you or have you ever
considered competing in the WWE Diva
searches in the past?
Trina
Michaels: No not really. I was pretty
busy with my other career but I did watch it on TV. If
it comes back around I will try out for it! Arron
Carlton: Unlike Diva Search contestants,
you’re working from the bottom up—working
the Indy circuit. Do you think the wrestling pundits will
give you credit for that? Or focus on your adult-video
past?
Trina
Michaels: I say 30% for credit and
70% for the adult past...But that’s what I love
about me doing this. I have a large amount of people to
prove wrong. I’ve looked online and have found about
6 threads on different sites that are at least 4 pages
long about me entering pro wrestling. Some thoughts are
funny, some are cool, some are in the middle and some
are rude but I love it all. Arron
Carlton: Who are currently some of
your favorite female wrestlers or personalities?
Trina
Michaels:Mickie James,
The Beautiful People, Miss Jackie
and Amy Hennig (Mr. Perfect’s daughter)...Trust
me she's going to be a star.
Arron
Carlton: It’s apparent, you’re
a WWE fan however how would you compare
the Women’s Division to TNA’s
Women’s Division?
Trina
Michaels: They both appeal to their
audience.
Arron
Carlton: Is there any truth to you
being at the WWE SmackDown tapings in
San Diego, CA?
Trina
Michaels: Yeah I was there with a
few friends. The pics and video from the show are on my
myspace page. But I also went to the TNA show a week later
and am going to WrestleMania in Houston and Im sure a
few other shows before then.
Arron
Carlton: Tell us about that experience.
Trina
Michaels: It was cool. I had an amazing
time and seeing the San Diego fans react to Rey is amazing.
I think he could run for Mayor of San Diego (Laughs).
Arron
Carlton: What are your goals for 2009?
Trina
Michaels: run for president!, starting
early, be Raw GM! Join The Beautiful People!..train,
train, train and keep making waves and proving people
wrong!
Arron
Carlton: Any closing remarks?
Trina
Michaels: Well Im honored you actually
wanted to talk to me. I don’t think I’m interesting
but people tell me I am. I hope my TrinaManiacs continue
to support me and they can always stay updated on my myspace
page myspace.com/trinamichaelsmania
and youtube page www.youtube.com/trinamichaelsvideos
...I honestly thank you for interviewing me. Oh and hello
to my Big Brother Raven. (not the wrestler)!
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.
