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by Alan J. Wojcik of http://alanwojcik.tripod.com
As her site is nicknamed TRACY BROOKS is “not just a pretty face.”
This phone interview conducted February 11, 2004 will delve into her farming
background and carry to her current status with “the New Franchise”
of NWA: TNA and the “Second City Saints” of Ring of Honor.
Alan Wojcik: You grew up in a farming household. Was there ever a point where you were going to enter the family business?
Tracy Brooks: Actually I still might do it. My dad is planning to retire soon and he wants me to give up wrestling. I am planning to set up an animal shelter on the property.
AW: How much was wrestling part of your childhood and who were some of
your favorites?
TB: Around 11th grade Dad and I began to watch Saturday Night’s Main
Event. I liked Rick Rude, Jake Roberts, the British Bulldogs and Randy
Savage even though I hated Elizabeth god rest her soul. I couldn’t
stand her being the feminine type, I am a tomboy. She is one reason I
began wrestling. I wanted to beat her up for being so prim and proper
even though she was one of the most beautiful women in wrestling. She
never helped out her man. I wanted to work with her and show her that
women can do more than just walk their man to the ring.
AW: How did you first begin modeling and entering swimsuit competitions?
TB: Actually my friend entered me in the Sunshine Millennium calendar contest. I took the photos and went from there. We had no gyms within an hour from our house so I worked out on the farm. School sports and working on the farm helped me keep in shape and fit. I never got to use a gym until I entered college.
AW: What detoured you from college into the life of professional wrestling?
TB: I did lots of promotional work for Canadian beer companies like Molson and Labatt’s as well as being a Budweiser girl. I took the photos from those events and the calendar and made a promotional kit and that’s how Sully’s Gym got a hold of me.
AW: What was your family’s reaction to you saying I want to be a professional wrestler?
TB: They laughed even though they were supportive. They asked all the questions like what happens if you get hurt, how are you going to support yourself? What if you decide you want a family? They are very old fashioned.
AW: For people that have never been in a wrestling school, explain your training at Sully’s Gym under Rob Hutchinson? Also does training differ for a woman?
TB: I did most of my training with Rob and then later on I trained with Rob Fuego at the Squared Circle. There’s no difference in training man or woman. My first day in training at Sully’s there was
Christian and Joe E. Legend, so that was a little intimidating. There were some big 6’2’ 300 pound guys, but all the guys were real helpful.
AW: Was it during training or was it later on that you came up with the “Pie in the Sky” finisher?
TB: That was at Border City Wrestling. Terry Taylor was my agent for a match and he said do that move were you throw your crotch in the guys face and I thought Pie in the Sky! (Laughs) It is the most over finisher.
AW: Your debut opponent actually is a WWE wrestler we speak La Felina/Gail Kim. Were there any nerves in your debut match?
TB: Gail and I trained together. She began five months after me so our first 50 matches were with each other. My first time in front of an audience felt really natural, so no nerves for me.
AW: In training and now that you wrestle do you prefer to be the bad girl or the good girl and why?
TB: Working with Shane Douglas it’s so easy to feed off him. To answer your question, anyone can like a girl but it takes work to get them to hate you.
AW: How much of difference is the Tracy Brooks I am speaking with on the phone and the Tracy Brooks I would meet when she walks through the curtain?
TB: Way, way different. Tracy in the ring is a cocky little bitch (laughs)
AW: What was your reaction being told you’re going to be part of “the New Franchise” with Shane Douglas and Michael Shane?
TB: It was an amazing feeling. Shane came to me and asked if it was cool. We talk on the phone all the time. He has forgotten more about the business than I will ever know. Both of them involve me in their matches. I couldn’t be in a better spot than I am in right now. Its fun at ringside because of their names being so similar I will say their full names no matter who is out there. (Laughs)
AW: Since TNA began in 2002 there have been several writers involved including Vince Russo and Dutch Mantel. What is your working relationship been like with those two men?
TB: I think we are improving every day. I get to add all I want in the pre-taping segments. I have no complaints about Vince or Dutch.
AW: As a fan and competitor for TNA, do you think a TV deal must be made in order to compete with WWE?
TB: In the future yes. Right now we are beginning to compete since we are an alternative for the fans that are disgusted with WWE and are realizing thanks to advertising there is a different product out there. Eventually we will need a TV deal.
AW: What’s it like to get a phone call telling you to drive from Nashville to Memphis because you’re going to work for Jerry “the King” Lawler’s promotion?
TB: It was really cool experience. I got to work in the in for two hours with the Rock n Roll Express. That was amazing.
AW: For fans that have never been there how different is a Memphis crowd as opposed to a Nashville TNA or other local promotions like Tony Falk’s USWO Promotion?
TB: The TNA crowd is smart because they see it every week. The Memphis and surrounding crowds like at a USWO show are old school and they still believe.
AW: What led you to participate in the WXW Super 8 event which you won this past year?
TB: A fellow Canadian worker brought me down that and introduced me to Afa. He began to use me all the time as a wrestler. He uses women as wrestlers as opposed to valet only roles. One day he put the idea to paper and it became the Super 8. I wrestled four matches that night in a two hour period. It was the best experience.
AW: You fought a round one double pin draw with the lovely Valentina but both of you advanced in the brackets.
TB: It was good. I have only worked her a few times since then but I think she just left Nashville and went west.
AW: In the next match you wrestled Ariel.
TB: It was a good back and forth match with a great worker.
AW: Do you think the crowd knew your history with La Felina/Gail Kim when you faced off in the semi-finals?
TB: Definitely. We wrestled all over Ontario and the northeast so everyone knew our past.
AW: You went over the local favorite in Mercedes Martinez. Is it hard to work in front of a crowd hat is totally behind the other person?
TB: I had some fans behind me. I might not be local but I consider the WXW another home for me.
AW: How did you come to work for Ring of Honor?
TB: I love Ring of Honor, they are the best Indy around and the locker room is amazing. CM Punk got me in ROH under his Second City Saints group. I couldn’t have been placed in a better position. Gabe gave Allison Danger and me the chance to work out some spots as opposed to a traditional catfight. They treat me with respect down there. I have a show this weekend (February 14th) in Massachusetts and then March 13th in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
AW: Lets take a step away from wrestling. How did you come to be part of the film “Zombie Beach Party” and are there any other films on your radar?
TB: Not any other films as of yet. The stunt coordinator for that film was Rob Fuego. He ended up getting me a starring role since the director saw all the wrestlers could hit things on the first take. They fired many of the actors and hired the wrestlers in their roles. That’s what we do, there’s no second or third take. I was the lead stunt girl as well as Tracy the Killer Zombie. It was in December and freezing cold shooting in bikinis. I would love to do another one, it was so neat.
AW: Who designed your site www.tracybrooks.net and what can the fans see when they log onto it?
TB: Phillip McConnell is my designer and I have all the say in what goes on there. I do a monthly commentary and there are photos as well as my schedule.
AW: What is the dumbest thing a fan as ever asked you?
TB: Are your feet ticklish?
AW: What is the dumbest interview question asked, hopefully not one of mine?
TB: Are you a wrestler?
AW: Some of this hopefully will get some background to things listed on your site. You listed steak as one of your favorite food, where is the best steaks made that you dined on?
TB: There’s a place in Toronto and all through Ontario called Kegs. They are the best.
AW: You mentioned it at the top of the interview, but how close are you realizing the dream of the animal shelter?
TB: It’s a long ways away. Right now I am in contact with several shelters in Nashville just to do dog walking. I have some experience growing up on the farm but I need to get the background from vets. Being on the road I can have a dog but it wouldn’t be fair to him/her.
AW: I don’t know how people at the Asylum would react to a dog wandering the building.
(Tracy laughs)
AW: In a previous interview I read online you mentioned you like to golf. What is the best round you have shot and do you have a favorite course?
TB: I haven’t played at all this year. My favorite course is a nine hole course in Barrie, Ontario. As for score I will never tell. I am still learning the irons.
AW: A site recently came online call www.TNAbabes.com. What do you think of that concept, a ladies of TNA site?
TB: It’s about time. All the women are getting recognized. From the dancers, which I wish could shake it like them, to the ring girls or the other girls like Trinity and April. TNA wasn’t using women for a while.
AW: Many people including me see photos of you and say you are a very pretty woman. Do you have issues with promotions that may use you or other women as eye candy or a sex symbol type?
TB: We are all eye candy men or women. There are thoughts going through my mind looking at a guy in the skimpy tight shorts. As long as they respect me as a manager or a wrestler I don’t care what people think. Sex sells.
AW: Several promotions have had inter-gender matches. Would you have issue being in a match with Shane against for example Trinity and Sonny Siaki and being hit by Sonny?
TB: I’m not going to take defense on Sonny or any other guy his size but it’s a great idea that I hope TNA will use soon.
AW: How do you feel about valets being in wrestling that can’t buy a drink in a bar?
TB: As long as they have respect for the business and the wrestlers it’s cool with me. Whether your 18 or 35 respect the business and be careful out there. Many schools wont train you unless your 18. I agree with that idea. Just like when you’re in college you don’t know what you want to be same goes for wrestling. You could do it for a few months and have a change of mind and heart. Be smart who you associate with in the locker room and on the road.
AW: If WWE called tomorrow and said Gail talked to us about you come sign a contract, would you take a deal?
TB: I can honestly say no. I am happy with TNA and hope to be here as it grows.
AW: Do you think the way the WWE women are treated with paddle on a pole matches and bra/panties contests, does it negate the positive work you and other performers do in the ring?
TB: I don’t think so. Look at Trish (Stratus) she has been having straight wrestling matches for months now. You get those gimmick matches; they’re over and on to the next one. As long as you respect yourself and do it tastefully its fine with me I am waiting for my first paddle on a pole match to come up soon (laughs.)
AW: If a promoter wanted to book you is there a specific criteria and who do they contact?
TB: I do my own bookings. I have a fee and they need to meet it. I sell photos as well as other items. I have driven through seven states to get to shows and get exposure. I want to wrestle and make some money doing it. You make friends in the business and they get you the word of mouth
AW: What do you hope 2004 hold for Tracy Brooks?
TB: To improve in the ring every day. Each time I am in the ring with Shane Douglas and Michael Shane we will continue to click. I can’t wait to see what we are like at the end of 2004.
Thanks to Tracy for taking time out of her busy day. Be sure to see her site www.tracybrooks.net as well as www.nwatna.com and www.ROHwrestling.com
