It’s a very unique time for the world of professional wrestling, as the women’s wrestling revolution is taking center stage, often with show stealing performances in some of the the biggest promotions in the world. One of the most unique athletes in this unique evolution of the sports entertainment genre is TNA Knockout, Marti Bell. With her trademark afro to compliment her well rounded skills, Marti has become one of the most dynamic female stars in just a few short years. Ironically, as much as she is on the forefront of a new era of the industry, Marti’s story is very much a classic example of the American dream.
Despite being born in New York, Marti moved with her family back to their original hometown in the Dominican Republic when she was just a few months old, and she spent her early years on the island.
“I am a first generation American, all of my grandparents and both of my parents were both born in the Dominican Republic, with my parents still currently residing there. I was born in NYC and moved back to the Dominican Republic until I was seven. My grandmother was the first to move to New York and she left her life behind in the Dominican to make a better future for her children, eventually bringing all five of her kids to live with her in States. I moved in 1996 to live with my grandmother, who I lived with until I was 18,” she said.
Speaking Spanish as her first language, Marti didn’t know English when she began watching pro wrestling with her family, but she had an intrinsic connection to the drama that unfolded on screen.
“I vaguely remember watching wrestling with my dad when I lived in the Dominican Republic, and then when I moved to New York, I watched wrestling with my three cousins Richard, Christian, and Massiel. The four of us formed a wrestling club and we would get together Mondays and Thursdays to watch wrestling as well as the pay-per-views. Wrestling spoke to me because even though I couldn’t speak the language, I could still understand the stories. I wanted to do that for other people who were in the same shoes as me,” she said.
As Marti wanted to connect with fans the way that the sport had connected with her, she sought to join the pro ranks to chase the dream of wrestling stardom. Living in New York City at the time, Bell chose to learn from one of the best, WWE Hall of Famer, Johnny Rodz, a grappler that is responsible for training several major stars in the industry. As she walked into the world famous Gleason’s Gym, through the same doors as legends such as Jake LaMotta, Muhammad Ali, and Mike Tyson, Marti knew that her desire to be successful in professional wrestling would be tested.
“I began as a valet in 2008 and eventually began my training August of 2009, having my first match that November. Training was rough – I was one of two girls who consistently showed up to training, so I found myself training with the boys. Some of them respected me as a wrestler and really wanted to help me succeed. They would push me and make me do the same things they were doing. Others thought I wouldn’t last, or that I wouldn’t make it and paid me no mind.”
Despite the tedious process of learning to land on the canvas and the toll it took, Bell made it through the training program and learned many valuable lessons along the way.
“The first and most important thing you learn in wrestling is respect. And this manifests itself in so many different ways. From walking into a room and shaking everyone’s hand, to listening with your mouth shut when someone is speaking to you, learning the signature moves of people you work with so you’re not doing the same thing they’re doing etc. I also learned how hard this business is. We’d start a class with 20 people and by the end, there would only be a few of us sticking it out. But I also learned what an amazing, and fun business this can be,” Marti said.
Since 2006
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August 2, 2016
Marti Bell’s American Dream
August 1, 2016
This Popular Female Wrestler Is Shattering The Silence Around The Domestic Abuse She Endured
For a professional wrestler, a headlock is a common maneuver inside the ring. But for TNA Total Impact’s Jade there was one headlock that felt particularly threatening. “When he finally let go, my then-boyfriend just left me there and I’m wondering what the hell just happened. Was he legitimately trying to hurt me? Because it was a headlock, and we’re both wrestlers, I justified it as maybe it was him trying to playfully end [the argument],” said Jade.
But this wasn’t the first time he put her in a headlock.
Jade had consensually wrestled her ex on numerous occasions. In fact, she prefers to wrestle both men and women. She wants women wrestlers to be seen as equals to their male counterparts. But it’s that pressure to break glass ceilings, and be seen as unbreakable, that contributed to her silence around her own abuse.
“Women athletes, CEOs, those in power, we feel this pressure to be a role model to other women, to be strong, that we don’t want to let them know our struggle. I didn’t want to be known as a ‘victim.’ I was also trying to get on TV, so if I tell my story, would this mess up my career?”
And so she stayed quiet for a long time. But behind closed doors, Jade says the abuse was escalating. “It got more and more regular that if I said something he didn’t like he would get violent. One time I was in bed and we had a disagreement, so he left the room but came back in to head-butt me. Then he started to choke me. In fact, whenever he didn’t like something I said, he would choke me. Soon down the line, I realized that his mindset was because I’m not hitting you, it’s ok. Because I’m not leaving a mark on you, it’s ok.”
But strangulation can be a significant predictor for future, often lethal violence. If a partner has strangled you in the past, your risk of being killed by them is seven times higher...More?
source: huffingtonpost.com
July 15, 2016
Christy Hemme Compares Triple H To Hulk Hogan; Talks Working With Stephanie McMahon
Christy says HHH gives to everyone while Hulk Hogan is more about himself:
"Hulk is great for Hulk. Triple H is great for business. You know, as far as like, bringing people in, bringing people up...he was always giving to the people...Hulk is like an icon and he is legendary and he is building his own brand."
What it's really like to work with Stephanie McMahon:
"I really love her. She is so poised and so powerful and as a female...She had worked on a couple of my segments and I was always lost when she was talking to me in the moments because she is really one of those people that she's a really good producer...She's really good at connecting and pulling something out of you that she's looking for...but she's softer in like, she's a warm person. She's a strong person but she's a warm person and she's passionate about the females so she's always fighting for them"
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 6:06 PM
Labels: Hulk Hogan, Knockouts, Stephanie McMahon, TNA, Triple H, WWE
June 14, 2016
Knockouts Title Being Defended At SHINE 35
Shine Wrestling announced two updates to their Shine 35 event in Ybor City, FL this Friday night.
Shine is now advertising a triple title match featuring the Shine Champion versus Shimmer Champion versus TNA Knockouts Champion, with the person taking the fall losing their title. It was previously advertised that TNA Knockouts Champion Jade would defend her title if she made it through this week’s TNA Impact Wrestling tapings as champion, but she did lose to new champion Sienna at TNA Slammiversary.
**With TNA taping multiple shows this week it is always possible for Jade (Mia Yim) to regain the Knockouts title, but as of now Shine 35 will feature:
SHINE Champion vs SHIMMER Champion vs TNA Knockouts Champion
– Participant who is pinned/submitted will lose their belt!
“Money In The Bank Match”
Kellie Skater versus Mia Yim versus Santana Garrett versus Nicole Matthews
2016 TNA Hall Of Fame Inductee Revealed At Tonight’s Impact Wrestling Tapings
According to live reports from tonight’s Impact Wrestling TV tapings in Orlando, TNA Knockout Gail Kim was announced as the next inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame.
After gathering the TNA roster at the top of the stage, TNA President Dixie Carter announced Gail Kim would be the 2016 inductee of the TNA Hall of Fame; the induction ceremony will take place during TNA Bound For Glory weekend in October.
Gail Kim has been a five time TNA Knockouts Champion and a TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion, and she has competed for TNA since 2005. Her first run was from 2005 to 2008, then following a return to WWE she has been back with TNA since 2011.
April 6, 2016
New Knockouts Champion Crowned On TNA Impact Wrestling
Jade won the TNA Knockouts Championship on tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling by defeating Madison Rayne and former champion Gail Kim, who had her reign end at 232 days.
The final moments of the match saw Gail go for a crossbody block, but Maria Kanellis knocked her off the ropes, which allowed Jade to hit a STO for the win.
March 8, 2016
Jade on Who Has Helped Her In TNA, Dixie Carter Being a Fan of the Knockouts, The Dollhouse Changes
TNA Knockout Jade recently spoke with Scott Fishman of Channel Guide Magazine to promote Impact Wrestling. The full interview can be found at this link. Below are highlights:
The Dollhouse and Knockouts changes in TNA:
“It has been a challenge, because back-to-back stuff has been happening and we didn’t know what was going on. We didn’t know what to do. We pretty much had to think on our toes. First, it was Taryn leaving and then we were thinking, who would be the leader. Then it was Kong, which we liked the idea because we all loved her. Not that we didn’t love Taryn, but there was a good connection with Kong. Then she left. The first time we were together was in the UK where we had to step up on our own and show them we didn’t need to depend on anybody else. We felt we could do our own thing and run with it. That’s what we’ve been doing.”
Transitioning from the indies to TNA and who has helped her:
“It’s really difficult for me, as I’ve been wrestling on the independent scene for about eight years or so. There, you just go out there and do your thing. You cut a promo here and there, but I never had a set character. I was just a wrestler. Now I’m an actual character. I’m Jade. I’m this bad ass and member of the Dollhouse. There are so many things I have to focus on besides wrestling. You have to get your character over and talk on the mic and master mannerisms. It’s a completely different feel than what I’m used to, so I’m still getting help. Tyrus has helped me out. Marti has helped me. David Lagana and Pat Kenney have also been there. I’m open to asking questions and looking for help because that is one part I still have trouble learning. No matter how much experience I have on the independents, the character and promos were my biggest issues. So it’s getting easier with experience and having people support me. It also helps that I know who my character is now, so I can play into that. In the beginning maybe I couldn’t pinpoint what they wanted for me or what I should be like.”
Dixie Carter being a fan of the Knockouts:
“It was actually really cool after the Lethal Lockdown — the minute we came back, she was there standing and clapping for us and giving us all hugs. She said, ‘You did it for us women!’ It was really cool to have that personal touch, being a female and knowing what she goes through in her role and then supporting us.”
February 11, 2016
TNA Knockout Says She Was Assaulted During Match; Talks If She Will Press Charges, Being Warned
New TNA Knockout appeared on last night's episode of TMZ on FS1 and claimed to have been assaulted during a match at a WXW event in Miami over the weekend.
"I really got assaulted, I didn't expect it," Raquel said. "Although I was warned that it was going to happen, but I never thought that it would be at that level."
Raquel noted that she cracked her tooth and had to get a root canal and a crown on her tooth. She also had "a little hairline fracture" on her jaw and multiple bruises.
Raquel noted that she does not intend to file charges out of respect to her coach, and that the person who had warned her does not want to come forward.
She believes that the incident happened because she "became very successful in wrestling and got a huge contract with Impact Wrestling."
Raquel also stated on Twitter that she would not let the ordeal affect her and that she was already back training. She also posted the following on her Instagram, writing, "I'm fearless, I don't complain. Even when horrible things happen to me, I go on."
February 5, 2016
Awesome Kong Announces Departure From TNA
Following a physical altercation with Matt Hardy's wife Reby Hardy (real name Rebecca Hardy) prior to last Friday's Impact Wrestling taping at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, Awesome Kong (real name Kia Stevens) has parted ways with TNA.
TNA announced the release of Kong on its official website this afternoon:
Following a physical altercation in the locker room last week during IMPACT WRESTLING's UK Tour, TNA announces today the release of Awesome Kong (Kia Stevens).
"We conducted an investigation and determined releasing Awesome Kong is the appropriate action in this case," said TNA Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Television John Gaburick. "Kong has been a great contributor to TNA and helped solidify the Knockouts as the best female division in professional wrestling. We thank her and wish her well."
Kong addressed her departure from TNA via Twitter, stating, "My time this round in TNA was fun. Time for me to move on to other things. #Released #HeadHeldHigh."
It was reported Wednesday in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the altercation stemmed from bad blood the two had dating back to 2013.
Both women were assigned to the same locker room at the event after changing in separate rooms at shows they both worked. Kong got upset with Hardy and threw her belongings outside of the room. This led to a profanity-laced argument between the two, with Hardy saying she won't be bullied and for Kong to "f*** off."
This infuriated Kong, who allegedly attacked Hardy. She drove her into a concrete wall and began choking her in front of her son, who was only a few feet away.
The altercation was broken up by security personnel and producer Pat Kenney. There were reports that Hardy had visible marks on her neck.
January 30, 2016
TNA confirms Awesome Kong's backstage incident with Reby Sky
Awesome Kong was sent home yesterday from the TNA tapings in the U.K. after a backstage incident involving Reby Hardy, the wife of Matt Hardy.
TNA confirmed the incident with a statement by John Gaburick, stating, "Prior to the Impact Wrestling TV tapings at the Manchester Arena, Kia Stevens (Awesome Kong) was involved in an incident involving Rebecca Hardy (Reby Sky). Subsequently, Kia was removed from the tour and returned to the United States. The matter is being reviewed to determine if additional disciplinary action will be taken."
More Backstage News on the Awesome Kong – Reby Sky Incident at the TNA Tapings, Details on Issues Dating Back to 2013
As noted, TNA Knockout Awesome Kong was sent home from last night’s TV tapings in The UK following an incident with Reby Sky, the wife of Matt Hardy.
We also noted that Kong and Sky have had beef with each other dating back to 2013, following comments made on social media and in a shoot interview.
According to PWInsider.com, the incident last night between Kong and Sky stemmed from Kong getting upset that Sky was using the same locker room as the rest of the Knockouts. Sky had previously dressed separately from the rest of the Knockouts at the last set of Impact Wrestling tapings in Bethlehem, PA. Sky dressing with the other Knockouts tonight prompted Kong to throw Sky’s bag out of the dressing room, and Sky then left, likely to go speak to a TNA official.
When Sky returned to the dressing room to get her belongings, Awesome Kong reportedly went after her for “not apologizing”. As we reported, two different versions of what happened took place, with one version of the story claiming Kong unsuccessfully made a run at Sky, and the other claiming Kong grabbed Sky by the neck and assaulted her, causing Pat Kenney to intervene.
What could make matters worse for Kong, and her future in TNA, is that Reby Sky and Matt Hardy’s son Maxel was nearby during the incident, and Kong had been released from TNA once before back in 2010 after she assaulted Bubba the Love Sponge.
With regards to 2013, when the beef between Sky and Kong began, it all started when Reby Sky spoke out on Twitter about Sid Vicious no-showing an indy event. Sky’s comments lead to Kong ripping her and calling her a “ho” and a “peon” during a “YouShoot” interview, in a segment called “The Ho Bag.” Sky addressed Kong’s “YouShoot” remarks by Tweeting the following:
“Not aware of this, if it is true. Doesn’t make much sense, as I don’t know her on a really personal level & we have been nothing but nice to each other in passing at shows. We’ve actually texted back & forth a few times, so if she now has a problem with me, I can only attribute it to one thing/person. Fake as f–k to be nice to my face & talk s–t to a camera if its true, but no shocker there. That’s 99% of the women in this business anyway. Next.”
Sky also had the following to say in a September, 2013 Tweet aimed at Kong:
“I will NEVER respect a no-show; someone who scams promoters and f***s fans and people who actually show up to work. F*** outta here. That being said, go back to smiling to my face at shows and talking shit online [Kharma], you FAKEASS bitch.”
While not confirmed, it’s possible the above comments made by Sky are what Kong was claiming Sky did “not apologize” for at the Impact tapings tonight.
January 29, 2016
Top TNA Knockout Reportedly Sent Home From UK Tour Following Incident with Matt Hardy’s Wife
According to PWInsider.com, TNA Knockout Awesome Kong was sent home from TNA’s current UK tour following a locker room incident with Matt Hardy’s wife, Reby Sky.
Sources reportedly informed PWInsider that Awesome Kong was not happy with Reby Sky dressing in the same locker room as the rest of the Knockouts, so she threw Sky’s bag out of the locker room.
The report added that different sources claimed two somewhat different versions of the story. One being that Kong unsuccessfully made a run at Sky, and the other is that Kong grabbed Sky by the neck before being restrained by Pat Kenney.
Following the incident, Kong was subsequently sent home and her long-term future in TNA is said to be in question, as Reby and Matt’s son Maxel was near the incident when it took place.
November 6, 2015
Full 2015 PWI Female 50 List Revealed
As previously announced, Nikki Bella tops the list, followed by Paige, Sasha Banks, Santana Garrett and Gail Kim.
View the full list below. Last year’s placement is in parenthesis:
1. Nikki Bella (24)
2. Paige (1)
3. Sasha Banks (-)
4. Santana Garrett (15)
5. Gail Kim (3)
6. Charlotte (10)
7. Naomi (39)
8. Cherry Bomb (26)
9. Courtney Rush (8)
10. Taryn Terrell (36)
11. Bayley (19)
12. Brie Bella (16)
13. Sexy Star (-)
14. Cheerleader Melissa (4)
15. LuFisto (5)
16. Nicole Matthews (30)
17. Becky Lynch (41)
18. Kimber Lee (28)
19. Natalya (9)
20. Jessicka Havok (13)
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 6:58 AM
Labels: Bayley, Becky Lynch, Bella Twins, Charlotte, Cheerleader Melissa, Divas, Gail Kim, Indy Wrestling, Knockouts, Naomi, Natalya, Paige, Sasha Banks, TNA, Wrestling News, WWE, WWE Womens Division
June 28, 2015
TNA Stars And Executive Deny Departures
As noted, F4WOnline reported earlier today that the contracts for Taryn Terrell and Awesome Kong expired this weekend, and that tonight's Slammiversary pay-per-view "is expected to be their last show."
TNA Executive Bob Ryder, Terrell and Kong have all blasted the report on Twitter. Terrel and Kong have stated they not leaving TNA.
Two More Big TNA Departures
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Awesome Kong and Taryn Terrell's contracts have both expired this weekend. The two will finish up at Slammiversary tonight.
Terrell joined TNA in 2012 as a referee for the knockouts division before becoming a full-time wrestler for the brand. She's the longest reigning Knockouts Champion in history, and is actually still the on-screen champion.
Awesome Kong returned to the company in January after being out of TNA for almost five years. She was fired in 2010 following a physical incident with Bubba the Love Sponge. She spent some time with WWE between TNA stints.
This follows the news that James Storm, Magnus, Low Ki, Austin Aries, Mickie James all left the company, while Gunner and Sam Shaw were released.
At this point the releases are either a work, or the above names will be signing with GFW and the two promotions will be working together. Not sure how TNA can survive with 9 top company talents departing in one week.
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 2:35 PM
Labels: Austin Aries, Awesome Kong, James Storm, Knockouts, Low-Ki, Mickie James, TNA
June 7, 2015
Backstage Update on WWE Officials Discovering Havok’s Controversial Tweets, Did Her Remarks Affect Her Current WWE Tryout?
Former TNA Knockout Havok had been at the center of controversy surrounding tweets from years ago that featured racist and homophobic remarks.
Havoc apologized for the comments, but later deleted the apology. She's been at the Performance Center in Orlando for a WWE tryout this week. She also deleted the offensive tweets in question.
According to Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Radio, Havoc had been impressing those who were conducting the tryouts in Orlando. Many were comparing her to the likes of Awesome Kong/Kharma, and were very optimistic about her future.
Apparently the company and everyone at the tryouts found out about the offensive tweets while she was in the ring. Dave Meltzer noted that the situation did her no favors, and Alvarez described it as the "roof caving in." After WWE officials learned of the Tweets, the situation prompted tryout hosts to speak to the attendees about saying stupid things on social media.
The 28-year old Havok spent a few months with TNA before finishing up with the company in February. You can view some of the tweets here.
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 1:14 PM
April 27, 2015
Did "TKO: A Night of Knockouts" Help Friday's TNA Impact Wrestling Viewership?
Friday's episode of TNA Impact Wrestling, a special Total Knockouts edition, drew 381,000 viewers, down from the previous week's 401,000 viewers.
Friday's Impact ranked #51 out of the top 100 cable originals for the day. We will have viewership numbers for the replay later.
April 14, 2015
Rumor Mill - TNA Stars Finally Receiving Paychecks, Backstage News On Low Morale In TNA
There were reports of TNA being behind on talent pay. PWInsider reports that talents have started to receive their checks and F4Wonline.com backs this report up, saying checks started arriving this past Friday and continued arriving Saturday and Monday. One source stated to PWInsider that talents would be receiving their March checks earlier than scheduled to try and make up for the previous delays.
Dave Meltzer described things in TNA as a lot worse than they were at the end of the Spike TV run. While talents have started receiving checks, there's still a lot of unhappiness across the company with the feeling that there is no momentum and they're not going anywhere.
Another significant problem within TNA right now is Destination America. The network is reportedly calling a lot of the shots in TNA these days with the idea that they are paying TNA and running so many hours of their programming.
Destination America officials reportedly do not like TNA Impact Wrestling being taped from the UK. They do not know the pro wrestling business at all but they didn't like the idea of TV taped outside of America airing on their Destination America channel. Destination America may not have a problem with TNA running a yearly tour overseas but they have made it clear they want Impact taped in the US most of the time.
Destination America officials wanted Kurt Angle to be the World Heavyweight Champion as they liked the idea of the champion on their network being an American gold medalist. They also are high on Taryn Terrell as Knockouts Champion because of her look.
November 13, 2014
Paige & AJ Lee Lead the 2014 PWI “Female 50″
Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual “Female 50″ ranking of female pro wrestlers will be included in the February 2015 edition of the magazine. Subscribers of PWI’s digital magazine got the issue early, and the list includes WWE Divas Paige, AJ Lee and Natalya, NXT stand-out Charlotte, TNA Knockouts Gail Kim and Angelina Love, and many others.
The top 10 is featured below, and you can subscribe to the digital edition now for just $19.95 per year.
1. Paige
2. AJ Lee
3. Gail Kim
4. Cheerleader Melissa
5. LuFisto
6. Angelina Love
7. Ivellisse
8. Courtney Rush
9. Natalya
10. Charlotte
This year, PWI has said the list may be more controversial than usual, as women’s wrestling has been more popular than ever due to the rise of WWE’s reality series Total Divas. Paige, who made her debut after WrestleMania XXX earlier this year, topped the list and beat out Divas Champion AJ Lee. It seems her run as NXT Women’s Champion, debut and instant leap to the top of the WWE women’s division was enough to give her Paige the edge.
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 7:24 PM
Labels: AJ Lee, Angelina Love, Charlotte, Cheerleader Melissa, Divas, Gail Kim, Indy Wrestling, Knockouts, Natalya, Paige, TNA, WWE
September 16, 2014
Can TNA Get Over?
Rumors have swirled about the demise of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Is this the end for the company? And will professional wrestling ever support two major promotions again? Click here.
source: grantland.com
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
4:04 PM
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Labels: AJ Styles, Dixie Carter, Eric Bischoff, Hulk Hogan, Impact Wrestling, Jeff Jarrett, Knockouts, TNA, Vince Russo, Wrestling News, WWE