Miss Tessmacher faces Madison Rayne at Hardcore Justice this Sunday.
This Sunday, TNA Wrestling presents Hardcore Justice featuring, amongst other matches, the reigning TNA Knockouts Champion Miss Tessmacher against Madison Rayne. The lovely Miss Tessmacher took the time to talk to several journalists including Collar & Elbow’s own resident girl Lauren Wright in an interview that gave us an insight into her early life, revealed some very surprising facts, and included the exclusive announcement that she will be coming over to the United Kingdom for the very first time on TNA’s tour next year!
Hello, how are you Brooke?
Not too bad.
Have you had a chance to catch much of the Olympics?
I’ve watched a little bit of it, not a whole lot, because I’ve been on the road so much and then been practising since I’ve been home, so I haven’t got to see a whole lot of it unfortunately. I did see that [Michael] Phelps has won again and I saw that one gymnast Gabby Douglas. She has done wonderful and I’ve become a big fan of hers. I just haven’t got to see it as much as I would like too.
The women’s Olympic wrestling finals are on at the moment. Would you ever consider emulating Kurt Angle and trying your hand at the Olympics? If not yourself, which Knockout would you send?
I don’t know if I would; I don’t know if I’m technically sound enough to do that – that’s years and years of training. I think Gail Kim would be very good at that. I know she has been one of my biggest threats but she’s very good at submissions, she’s very good all around and I think she’d be one of the best to send for sure.
I saw on your Twitter page that you’re thinking of getting your music remixed – so what would be your ideal theme music?
I’m a rock girl; I love my music, I got to help with what I wanted with the theme. For the remix I was looking for, I’m finally celebrating the [Knockouts] Championship that I won at Slammiversary. I hadn’t had the chance too [before] because I haven’t been home. I just wanted it to be something dancey so everyone can celebrate and have a good time. I love my music – it’s kinda rockish, girlish, but I’m a Def Leppard girl. If I could come out to ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ I think that would be alright! I’d feel like the sexiest girl in the world.
The reigning Knockouts Champion then spoke extensively on other topics, here are the highlights:
What do you attribute the progress you’ve made over the last couple of months to?
It’s been a long road. I’ve been giving it everything I have these last couple of months. Wrestling ended up being my life and the most important thing. It’s the most difficult sport that I’ve ever been involved in and the biggest challenge. Tara did help me tremendously in the ring and out of the ring. Also, Booker T’s school down in Houston, Texas helped me. I did a lot of one-on-one training. Being on the road with such talented Knockouts as Mickie James, Gail Kim and Tara, I can sit back and get a bird’s eye view of them and how they perform. I’m constantly just watching and taking notes. I’ve watched a lot of videos and put in a lot of man-hours. It’s been tough, but now I’m living my dream.
How has your background (Brooke was at one point homeless) helped you appreciate the successes you have had?
I can wake up everyday and know I did this and no one gave this to me. I had to sweat the sweat and bleed the blood. If I was to lose my career tomorrow I know I gave it everything I had and actually got here.
Where do you feel that TNA is heading, and what role does women’s wrestling play in that?
Women’s wrestling has been tough over the years, it is a male-driven sport. We’re shooting IMPACT! Live though and going to more countries with more tours. We have made a huge impact in this company and the wrestling world.
What’s the best piece of advice someone has given you along the way?
To be patient; be patient and just slow down. I’ve always been very good at everything I’ve ever done, but as far as wrestling and sports and being an athlete, I really had to take a step back and take everything in and keep my mouth closed. It’s not something you will get overnight and [it's] something you will have to work for in months to come.
How would you feel about facing a returning Awesome Kong back in TNA?
Her and Gail Kim were awesome, one of the best feuds in TNA history. It’s something I don’t think anybody will ever forget. I’m up for any challenge and I would never turn down any challenge. That would probably be one of the most difficult challenges that I would have to face. I would definitely have to grow and get stronger and learn her craft to be able to master it. I’d have to be trying to run circles around that girl. She is insanely powerful and I’m very small so I would have to use technique over her power. I definitely welcome it, but it’d be exciting and scary but I’d take her on.
Who does you watch on tape to learn from?
I watch a lot of Trish Stratus, although I watch both men and women. I watch a lot of Shawn Michaels and Trish. She came into the business as a model and not taken seriously. So to watch her grow and having compared to her a lot I hope to be like her. I learn from Tara and Mickie James too. I hope my career will be as long and as fulfilled as theirs.
Looking ahead to Hardcore Justice, how do you feel about the combination of Madison Rayne and Earl Hebner?
If we have old Earl as the ref, I’ll definitely have to keep my eyes open. He’s made some questionable calls. I’m determined to go out there and prove myself. It kinda grosses me out, the whole Viagra thing he brought up. I believe Madison is just using him and that’s not going to work on Sunday. I’m going to bring it to her!
When did you decide to dedicate herself to wrestling full-time?
When, Tara and I won the Knockouts Tag Team Championships, she carried us a lot and I wasn’t experienced enough and didn’t bring as much as I could have to the table. I realised I wanted to get better, to defend us and stand on my own and then become the Knockouts Champion.
You have a twin sister, right?
Yes - my twin and I look nothing alike, she is cute and dainty. She is me without any muscle. She is very little and a video game type girl and not outdoor and athletic. She has no interest whatsoever in wrestling. We look nothing alike, not like sisters. It’s amazing how two girls can look as different as we do. Our voices and senses of humour are similar. She is pretty shy. She is my biggest fan.
Who would you induct into the TNA Hall of Fame:
I think it would be someone that’s still wrestling. Bobby Roode is great, he is phenomenal. 100% Tara, she is the best of the best and why I’m the best of the best. She is a walking legend and has been in every company in wrestling.
What is your workout routine?
I only do 30 minutes of different glute workouts. I do a lot of kicks. 10 hundred metre sprints and I plan on coming out with my own glute workout video so I can show the world what I can do! I’m working with a company in Dallas to have those videos. I’m passionate about that. I want to give tips on eating healthy.
How do you feel about having your name changed back once again to Miss Tessmacher in TNA?
I think I want my name and I wanted to keep it and it stinks I keep going back. A name is a name and I come out to the ring and perform every week. Bringing in Brooke Hogan has been great and we just did it so there was no confusion. As long as I do what I can do in the ring, that’s all that matters. I’m still Tess, so don’t mess with Tess!
Miss Tessmacher will face Madison Rayne at Hardcore Justice this Sunday August 12 for the TNA Knockouts Championship at the IMPACT Zone in Orlando Florida. To find out details of the full card, visit hardcorejustice.com.
This article was written by Lauren Wright.
Read other articles by Lauren here.
And don’t forget to follow her on Twitter!
