Post by Amber Gianni on Aug 11, 2008 13:38:31 GMT -5
(Please enjoy this detailed look into the character Amber Gianni-it's a long one! Thank you to 3X for extra information.)
For well over three years, one name has been on the tip of everyone's tongues in the world of pro wrestling. From the day she appeared on the scene, Amber Gianni has been without a doubt the most popular female in sports entertainment and one of the most recognized figures in the industry (and we use the word "figure" loosely), male or female. A trendsetter, she has proven that a woman can be both sexy and desirable out of the ring and tough as nails in it.
As the XWA visits Las Vegas, a city close to the woman...she granted Fabiola a candid interview from the MGM Grand Hotel, talking about her past, the present state of the industry and the XWA, and her future within.
Fab: First off I want to thank you for taking this time out to have a chat with me.
The pleasure is all mine, Fabbie.
Fab: Well, let's talk about how it all started for you...for the fans who aren't too familiar with the origins of Amber Gianni.
Well, I started modeling before I started wrestling of course. Before that I was in school for business administration. I needed some extra cash, so a friend who got into it suggested I give it a try. I thought she meant regular modeling, so I was a little surprised when I found out it was nude modeling.
Fab: So you were apprehensive at first.
Only a little. My friend Allie had done a couple of shoots with this one photographer before I tagged along, and he was totally legit. He had his own facility and everything. I trusted her, I figured that she wasn't dealing with anyone seedy. When I met the photographer, his name was Steven Randall, he fell in love with me. Or should I say my body, hmm hmm.
Fab: Well, I bet that's a long list of people there!
I know!
He loved the fact that I had natural curves. You know, round hips, big natural breasts, nice round butt...
Fab: You know you're going to stir up some people talking like that.
Well, I've never been shy about my body, that's the thing. I think that's what made it so easy for me to break into it. I take care of myself, and I did even before I started wrestling, doing yoga, running, you know, keeping fit. I'm proud of that and I love to show it off. Guys like that sort of thing. Not in a slutty way, just in a sexy way.
Fab: That's one of your finer qualities. You're very tasteful in what you do.
Thank you.
Fab: So, you starting modeling...
Yeah, and after a couple of shoots that he posted on his pay-site, I started getting calls from lots of magazines. Penthouse wanted me to be on their cover, so did Playboy. Since Penthouse called first, that's who I went with. So, I was the covergirl and the Pet of the Month for September of 2000.
That was a lot of fun. It was also one of the most read issues of all time, even though I doubt guys were actually reading it. That's when things started to pick up. It was suggested to me that I should start a fanclub, so I did...and the responses I was getting were amazing!
Fab: What kind of responses?
Everything from from marriage proposals to indecent ones I can't say since there are probably children reading this. Couple of millionaires made me some offers that would have really set me for life too, but I've got my dignity, that's more important than money. Eventually it got to the point where I had to satisfy my growing fans base, so about a year later is when I started my website.
(EDITOR'S NOTE-Due to the adult nature of the site, we are unale to give you a link to it, but you can figure out the URL fairly easy. )
Fab: And now it's one of the most visited model sites on the net.
Yep, I'm right up there with a couple of adult actresses in terms of hits, and what makes me really proud of that is the fact that I never had to go that route to get to where I am.
Fab: Adult films?
Yeah. Well, there is this one movie I did that I'm not too proud of actually that still makes it's rounds on message boards and such. I regret it, but I'm not ashamed of it. After that is when I said to myself if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it my way. Who cares if I'm not making the big bucks.
Fab: Dignity is more important.
Right.
Fab: So, when did wrestling become a part of the equation?
Well, I moved here to Vegas back in 2005 because it was close to California, and most of the modeling business is out west anyway. I met this guy who was heavy into pro wrestling, he was actually a promoter for a few local federations in Nevada. He happened to be talking to some guys about a big show they were going to be having in Reno in conjunction with the World Wrestling Alliance and he insisted on me coming along. I was like, yeah...sure...it'd be a good way to spend a night, free food, free booze, all that jazz...maybe get some publicity for my site.
When we got there it was already started and it was a women's match. It was Sarah Warfield in the ring against a couple of local girls, and she just woman-handled them! When I first saw her I thought I was looking at one of those Roman statues or something. She was built like a fortress, but not like you see some of these females bodybuilders who let themselves go. Still, she was powerful, graceful, technical and I stood there the whole time watching her in amazement and the guy I was with said "are you gonna sit or what?" I actually stood and watched the whole match on my feet. After she won I insisted that he take me backstage to meet her.
Fab: That's when the bug bit you.
Yeah, the first time I ever saw a wrestling match, I fell in love with it. I think it might just have been because it was Sarah in the ring. Maybe my reaction would have been different if it were someone else. You know how casual fans or non-fans take the sport, guys in spandex grabbing each other and women showing their tits and ass. This though, that woman, was something else. I knew right then and there from all it was that I had heard or thought about wrestling before that moment, that at that moment I was looking at what wrestling was really about.
Fab: So what happened when you two met for the first time?
He introduced us, and we clicked instantly. For a long time she traveled alone is what she told me first and foremost. Europe, Japan, lots of places by herself because she had to. It really wasn't until the WWA started a dedicated women's league that a lot of women got any recognition, still a man's sport and all.
Fab: How times are changing now aren't they?
Cool isn't it? We sat and talked, we watched the rest of the show together. I almost forgot I came with my boyfriend almost! As I saw more and more of it, I knew that this was something that I had wanted to do. Growing up I was something of a tomboy, I loved getting physical, getting dirty...so I knew that I could probably handle it. A couple of weeks later I made the announcement on my site that I was taking a break from modeling in order to train to become a wrestler. Some people were excited, others were in shock.
Fab: So how is training under the "Golden Girl" like?
Those first few days, I thought that I was going to die. When we talked she was this warm, kind-hearted woman, but once we started training she changed into this monster. Kind of like how Pai Mei was in Kill Bill Vol. 2, she didn't go easy on me at all. I was running for 5 miles every other day, doing weight training, mat training, all of that stuff. You don't understand exactly how strong that woman is until she tosses you across the ring like a bag of feathers. I was looking up at the lights thinking to myself "what was I thinking?" Everytime I doubted myself though, everytime I was almost in tears from the aches and pains, that's when the other Sarah peeked out and gave me words of encouragement, words of empowerment. Somehow it was always enough to keep me going.
Fab: So how long did you train?
9 months. Nine long, hard, rough, painful months. But after it was over, after I was actually holding my own, I remember being in the ring with Sarah and finally making my way out this one hold that I could never get out of before...and the look on her face was an ear to ear smile. She said "you're ready". That was it. I was crying tears of joy from those two words. We must've been that ring for an hour just her holding me while I cried tears of joy. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and I made it. That was the greatest moment in my life right there.
A couple of weeks later, after I did my first new shoot after finishing my training, people noticed that my body has a little more meat to it, and I started getting even more members after that! All of the talk about guys liking slim girls is a bunch of bullshit, I can tell you that much.
Fab: So when was you're first match?
November 20, 2005. That was my debut in the WWAW, and the girl they put me up against was another newcomer to the league. I guess they thought it would be cool because I had my background as a model and she on the other hand was a rough, rugid street type.
Fab: That would of course be Hayley Jonas.
The HellCat herself. She hated the fact that I was a model and a wrestler, and I mean hated it! I guess it actually did end up being a good idea because we had some good feuding going on, and some really good matches. I can even recall winning a few of them, hmm hmm. She kicked my ass though. I remember think to myself the first time I caught a #1 Stunna that this was not what Sarah trained me to do. I thought I'd be wrestling, but against Hayley I was just straight out trying to survive! Sarah told me "sometimes...that's exactly what you have to do out there, whatever you can to survive."
Fab: And after that was done is when you took a break from in-ring action, correct.
Yes. 2006. That's when I got a tip about VWE. They were the major leagues back then. Anyone who was anyone seemed to have found their way there. I was sold when I heard that Jon Payne made their roster. He was really impressing people in the WWAM before then, so about halfway through their 2006 season I signed on as a manager, and I really hit it off well. It's so much easier to mingle with people when they know you're not trying to upstage them or beat them into a pulp, so I hooked up instantly with Anjyl, right as she made her World Championship run.
Fab: And Jonny Pyro, on the subject of hooking up?
Ugh...I knew that was coming. Yes, like that video I did, it's one point in my career, my life...I would rather not talk about. That was like an out of body experience for me dealing with him. As if something, or someone (stare)...was controlling me, drawing me to people who I probably should not have associated with. God bless the dead, but he was never in it for anything or anyone but himself...and after a while I started to come to that understanding, so that's when I cut him off. It was just like you said, a hookup. Nothing more, nothing less. I saw I wasn't getting anywhere around him, so I stopped being around him, and that was that.
Fab: Well, you did manage VWE's World Champion and Hardkore Champion, and Tag Champions eventually, so you did get somewhere in the end.
That I did! In half a year I helped fulfill dreams that the other managers could do in a whole one. I was a shoe-in for Manager of the Year. My business sense was shining through, but after seeing "Sugar & Supaisu" rise to greatness, I knew it was time for me to get into the ring and get some of my own.
Fab: And that's when you resigned as a manager to go back into wrestling...
Yeah, a month or two in their training fed. A few matches here and there against this girl Misty. She was an alright wrestler I have to say, not on my level...but good. Finally I decided to leave VWE though, after it was LXW was starting to gain ground on them. All of the sudden there was stiff competition, and the fact that you didn't have to "prove yourself" to be in it was a real seller to a lot of people. Even though I never wrestled there, I still had a fairly good time.
Fab: New fed, new man. Wanna tell us about that?
*Sigh* You mean Dragon. Well, he had something about him that drew me in, but this time I knew what I was getting into. I tried to help him really. He was getting lots of notoriety, more than he could probably have handled himself. It was more like I was being his watcher or "mother" than his girlfriend. Then after he won the LXW Title, he just disappeared.
Fab: That's of course when the great "controversy" sprung out.
Yeah. I would suppose that certain people had figured out what I had figured out about Pyro, and didn't want him to be their champion anymore. It just happened that the guy on the other side was Dragon. One thing led to another, and we all know what happened from there. No need to get into an of that, except that I decided to make the trip to Chicago to check out the fed that happened to conveniently open right when LXW closed, and low and behold he was there.
Fab: How was that meeting?
Short. Very short and to the point. I wanted nothing to do with him anymore. That pretty much lead me to leaving that place before the ink on the contract even dried. I come to learn that he even had a hand in the place's creation, voluntarily leaving LXW to help build it. But we see how long that house of cards stood before it came crashing down. it was just more of the same, looking out for yourself. That seemed to have been the kind of men who were attracted to me for some reason, and at that point I was pretty much done with them.
Fab: And that's when you signed to the XWA.
Right. This was the fresh start I needed. That a lot of people needed. Right after LXW folded a lot of leagues started popping up, but I knew that this was going to be the place to be out of them all. I fashioned the idea of wrestling in Toronto, thank god I didn't. After hearing about what they did with Marisol (Cardinale), there was no way I was going to deal with them.
Fab: Well, let's steer away from the politics of the business, even as involved in such things as you have been in. How has XWA been treating you?
Good, Fabbie. Really good. Better than I could possibly have imagined. Like I said, this is the place to be if you're a wrestler who really wants to be in that global spotlight. To be one of the household names in all of that is an honor. I haven't even held a title, but the respect I get for what I've done here is right up there with the Ashleys and Heathers of the world. That's what I think really sets the XWA experience apart from other places. The respect you get here comes from within.
Nobody cares where it is that you've been in the past, everyone however respects those who make things happen in the fed itself though. You take a look at a girl like Ashley, who last year nobody even heard of, and now she's regarded as being the best female wrestler in the world pound-for-pound. You don't get that distinction by talking out of your ass or making claims of greatness, you get it by getting it done. That's how anybody in the XWA gets any recognition, and that is what I think is the best part about the XWA.
Fab: Now that we're in current events, let's talk about your current situation. We haven't seen a lot of you and Keith Wyle together lately. What's the story there?
Well, Keith is the man who renewed my faith in the male human species . More than that, he's the most loving, kind-hearted man I've ever met. My mother and father died not long after I was born, so I've never had a stern, steady man who's shoulder I could lean on. That might explain why I've not had the best track record with men, but Keith changed all of that. It started out a purely physical thing, but then I started to get to know him and he started to get to know me, and we just started growing closer and closer from there. I love him with all of my heart. Right now we're just trying to get things going in terms of our XWA careers. We still meet behind the scenes, off the camera and all of that, but right now he's doing his thing and I'm doing mine on the camera, that's all that is.
Fab: Speaking of doing your thing, tell me about The Sensationals? How'd that come to pass?
Well, I've been friends with Marisol since last season actually. She had told me once about this idea she had to form a female team or stable while she was in Toronto. Obviously that fell through when they terminated her contract without even telling her in advance. If you can remember, I had my little team early on in the first season that fell through as well when my partner left for that very place it seems.
Fab: Misery loves company, huh?
Guess so. Anyway, we hooked up in New York before Independence Day, and she was just coming off of that big win against Tiffany Masterson and me off a win against Melissa Armstrong. All of sudden, you had this forming of a few other groups, and finally Mari just asked me "wanna"? I just said, "yep", and that was that. The name is her idea though, that was what she was going to call her team had it happened up north.
Fab: Fairly simple origin story for that...
Well, we've got one more girl joining the team as well. We'll wait for Glitter to unveil that though.
Fab: Tell me more about your history with Hayley Jonas, Amber. It's pretty detailed isn't it?
She's like the yang to my yin. She's the polar opposite as far as personality goes, as far as everything goes. I've not had an easy life don't get me wrong, but compared to her I've lived a Cinderella story, and that seems to be what she's always thought of me. She's been everywhere I've been, VWE, LXW, everywhere. I don't know...it's as if we're just linked to each other. Like a common existence that just is. It probably won't be long before our paths cross again. It's just bound to happen.
Fab: Do you respect her though?
Of course I do. She's the toughest woman in all of wrestling, hands down. Just as much there've been girls who think they could be as naughty, flirty and sexy as me, there've been those who think they can be as rough, rugid and raw as her, and it's just not happening! She's been a champion, heck...she IS a champion. She's fought the best and won, what's not to respect? I don't think the feeling is mutual though, but I'm cool with it. I'm comfortable with myself to the point where whoever likes or doesn't like me or what I do or have done really doesn't hurt who I am.
Fab: So...what do see in the future for the XWA?
Big things. From what I hear around the locker rooms and in the front office, 2009 has the makings of being the biggest year ever, and that's saying something since we're only halfway through 2008. A lot of new talent has added to the company. New girls like Jamie Fury and Sonya Robbins and Alundra Jade, serious competitors who have strong character.
Over with the guys, the new guys are really bumping heads with the vets, and I love that. All in all it's like the people who're here this year who weren't last year know of what we've done to make this place the #1 fed in the world of it's kind and they're doing what they can to be a part of that, not bigger than it.
Fab: And what's in the future for Amber Gianni?
Well, with The Sensationals, I hope to eventually make some form of run for the Sapphire Titles. Maybe that may end up being my pre-destined reunion with Hayley. Otherwise, who knows? There's going to be some big opportunities coming up for the Diamonds I might look into, but for now it's all about me, Mari and our new friend.
Fab: Well, I'm sure that it like most of your career will be nothing short of exciting. Thank you so much again for taking this time out to have a chat with me here. Is there anything that you want to say to anyone out there in closing?
Of course! I love you all! Everyone who's supported me over the years, all of my fans who come to my site, who come to see me at trade shows and here in the XWA, I appreciate the support and the kindness that you share with me. Sarah Warfield, you've always been and always will be the mother I never had and the sister I always wanted. I owe everything to you, and Keith baby, you're my pillar of strength. I'm as lucky to have you as you must think that you are to have me...and that's pretty lucky.
Fab: Ain't he now? Well, thank you again...now go on and enjoy yourself while we're here in Vegas!
Oh yeah, got some shopping to do!
For well over three years, one name has been on the tip of everyone's tongues in the world of pro wrestling. From the day she appeared on the scene, Amber Gianni has been without a doubt the most popular female in sports entertainment and one of the most recognized figures in the industry (and we use the word "figure" loosely), male or female. A trendsetter, she has proven that a woman can be both sexy and desirable out of the ring and tough as nails in it.
As the XWA visits Las Vegas, a city close to the woman...she granted Fabiola a candid interview from the MGM Grand Hotel, talking about her past, the present state of the industry and the XWA, and her future within.
Fab: First off I want to thank you for taking this time out to have a chat with me.
The pleasure is all mine, Fabbie.
Fab: Well, let's talk about how it all started for you...for the fans who aren't too familiar with the origins of Amber Gianni.
Well, I started modeling before I started wrestling of course. Before that I was in school for business administration. I needed some extra cash, so a friend who got into it suggested I give it a try. I thought she meant regular modeling, so I was a little surprised when I found out it was nude modeling.
Fab: So you were apprehensive at first.
Only a little. My friend Allie had done a couple of shoots with this one photographer before I tagged along, and he was totally legit. He had his own facility and everything. I trusted her, I figured that she wasn't dealing with anyone seedy. When I met the photographer, his name was Steven Randall, he fell in love with me. Or should I say my body, hmm hmm.
Fab: Well, I bet that's a long list of people there!
I know!
He loved the fact that I had natural curves. You know, round hips, big natural breasts, nice round butt...Fab: You know you're going to stir up some people talking like that.
Well, I've never been shy about my body, that's the thing. I think that's what made it so easy for me to break into it. I take care of myself, and I did even before I started wrestling, doing yoga, running, you know, keeping fit. I'm proud of that and I love to show it off. Guys like that sort of thing. Not in a slutty way, just in a sexy way.
Fab: That's one of your finer qualities. You're very tasteful in what you do.
Thank you.
Fab: So, you starting modeling...
Yeah, and after a couple of shoots that he posted on his pay-site, I started getting calls from lots of magazines. Penthouse wanted me to be on their cover, so did Playboy. Since Penthouse called first, that's who I went with. So, I was the covergirl and the Pet of the Month for September of 2000.
That was a lot of fun. It was also one of the most read issues of all time, even though I doubt guys were actually reading it.
That's when things started to pick up. It was suggested to me that I should start a fanclub, so I did...and the responses I was getting were amazing!Fab: What kind of responses?
Everything from from marriage proposals to indecent ones I can't say since there are probably children reading this.
Couple of millionaires made me some offers that would have really set me for life too, but I've got my dignity, that's more important than money. Eventually it got to the point where I had to satisfy my growing fans base, so about a year later is when I started my website.(EDITOR'S NOTE-Due to the adult nature of the site, we are unale to give you a link to it, but you can figure out the URL fairly easy.
)Fab: And now it's one of the most visited model sites on the net.
Yep, I'm right up there with a couple of adult actresses in terms of hits, and what makes me really proud of that is the fact that I never had to go that route to get to where I am.
Fab: Adult films?
Yeah. Well, there is this one movie I did that I'm not too proud of actually that still makes it's rounds on message boards and such. I regret it, but I'm not ashamed of it. After that is when I said to myself if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it my way. Who cares if I'm not making the big bucks.
Fab: Dignity is more important.
Right.
Fab: So, when did wrestling become a part of the equation?
Well, I moved here to Vegas back in 2005 because it was close to California, and most of the modeling business is out west anyway. I met this guy who was heavy into pro wrestling, he was actually a promoter for a few local federations in Nevada. He happened to be talking to some guys about a big show they were going to be having in Reno in conjunction with the World Wrestling Alliance and he insisted on me coming along. I was like, yeah...sure...it'd be a good way to spend a night, free food, free booze, all that jazz...maybe get some publicity for my site.
When we got there it was already started and it was a women's match. It was Sarah Warfield in the ring against a couple of local girls, and she just woman-handled them! When I first saw her I thought I was looking at one of those Roman statues or something. She was built like a fortress, but not like you see some of these females bodybuilders who let themselves go. Still, she was powerful, graceful, technical and I stood there the whole time watching her in amazement and the guy I was with said "are you gonna sit or what?" I actually stood and watched the whole match on my feet. After she won I insisted that he take me backstage to meet her.
Fab: That's when the bug bit you.
Yeah, the first time I ever saw a wrestling match, I fell in love with it. I think it might just have been because it was Sarah in the ring. Maybe my reaction would have been different if it were someone else. You know how casual fans or non-fans take the sport, guys in spandex grabbing each other and women showing their tits and ass. This though, that woman, was something else. I knew right then and there from all it was that I had heard or thought about wrestling before that moment, that at that moment I was looking at what wrestling was really about.
Fab: So what happened when you two met for the first time?
He introduced us, and we clicked instantly. For a long time she traveled alone is what she told me first and foremost. Europe, Japan, lots of places by herself because she had to. It really wasn't until the WWA started a dedicated women's league that a lot of women got any recognition, still a man's sport and all.
Fab: How times are changing now aren't they?
Cool isn't it? We sat and talked, we watched the rest of the show together. I almost forgot I came with my boyfriend almost!
As I saw more and more of it, I knew that this was something that I had wanted to do. Growing up I was something of a tomboy, I loved getting physical, getting dirty...so I knew that I could probably handle it. A couple of weeks later I made the announcement on my site that I was taking a break from modeling in order to train to become a wrestler. Some people were excited, others were in shock.Fab: So how is training under the "Golden Girl" like?
Those first few days, I thought that I was going to die. When we talked she was this warm, kind-hearted woman, but once we started training she changed into this monster.
Kind of like how Pai Mei was in Kill Bill Vol. 2, she didn't go easy on me at all. I was running for 5 miles every other day, doing weight training, mat training, all of that stuff. You don't understand exactly how strong that woman is until she tosses you across the ring like a bag of feathers. I was looking up at the lights thinking to myself "what was I thinking?" Everytime I doubted myself though, everytime I was almost in tears from the aches and pains, that's when the other Sarah peeked out and gave me words of encouragement, words of empowerment. Somehow it was always enough to keep me going.Fab: So how long did you train?
9 months. Nine long, hard, rough, painful months. But after it was over, after I was actually holding my own, I remember being in the ring with Sarah and finally making my way out this one hold that I could never get out of before...and the look on her face was an ear to ear smile. She said "you're ready". That was it. I was crying tears of joy from those two words. We must've been that ring for an hour just her holding me while I cried tears of joy. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and I made it. That was the greatest moment in my life right there.
A couple of weeks later, after I did my first new shoot after finishing my training, people noticed that my body has a little more meat to it, and I started getting even more members after that! All of the talk about guys liking slim girls is a bunch of bullshit, I can tell you that much.
Fab: So when was you're first match?
November 20, 2005. That was my debut in the WWAW, and the girl they put me up against was another newcomer to the league. I guess they thought it would be cool because I had my background as a model and she on the other hand was a rough, rugid street type.
Fab: That would of course be Hayley Jonas.
The HellCat herself. She hated the fact that I was a model and a wrestler, and I mean hated it! I guess it actually did end up being a good idea because we had some good feuding going on, and some really good matches. I can even recall winning a few of them, hmm hmm. She kicked my ass though. I remember think to myself the first time I caught a #1 Stunna that this was not what Sarah trained me to do. I thought I'd be wrestling, but against Hayley I was just straight out trying to survive! Sarah told me "sometimes...that's exactly what you have to do out there, whatever you can to survive."
Fab: And after that was done is when you took a break from in-ring action, correct.
Yes. 2006. That's when I got a tip about VWE. They were the major leagues back then. Anyone who was anyone seemed to have found their way there. I was sold when I heard that Jon Payne made their roster. He was really impressing people in the WWAM before then, so about halfway through their 2006 season I signed on as a manager, and I really hit it off well. It's so much easier to mingle with people when they know you're not trying to upstage them or beat them into a pulp, so I hooked up instantly with Anjyl, right as she made her World Championship run.
Fab: And Jonny Pyro, on the subject of hooking up?
Ugh...I knew that was coming. Yes, like that video I did, it's one point in my career, my life...I would rather not talk about. That was like an out of body experience for me dealing with him. As if something, or someone (stare)...was controlling me, drawing me to people who I probably should not have associated with. God bless the dead, but he was never in it for anything or anyone but himself...and after a while I started to come to that understanding, so that's when I cut him off. It was just like you said, a hookup. Nothing more, nothing less. I saw I wasn't getting anywhere around him, so I stopped being around him, and that was that.
Fab: Well, you did manage VWE's World Champion and Hardkore Champion, and Tag Champions eventually, so you did get somewhere in the end.
That I did!
In half a year I helped fulfill dreams that the other managers could do in a whole one. I was a shoe-in for Manager of the Year. My business sense was shining through, but after seeing "Sugar & Supaisu" rise to greatness, I knew it was time for me to get into the ring and get some of my own.Fab: And that's when you resigned as a manager to go back into wrestling...
Yeah, a month or two in their training fed. A few matches here and there against this girl Misty. She was an alright wrestler I have to say, not on my level...but good. Finally I decided to leave VWE though, after it was LXW was starting to gain ground on them. All of the sudden there was stiff competition, and the fact that you didn't have to "prove yourself" to be in it was a real seller to a lot of people. Even though I never wrestled there, I still had a fairly good time.
Fab: New fed, new man. Wanna tell us about that?
*Sigh* You mean Dragon. Well, he had something about him that drew me in, but this time I knew what I was getting into. I tried to help him really. He was getting lots of notoriety, more than he could probably have handled himself. It was more like I was being his watcher or "mother" than his girlfriend. Then after he won the LXW Title, he just disappeared.
Fab: That's of course when the great "controversy" sprung out.
Yeah. I would suppose that certain people had figured out what I had figured out about Pyro, and didn't want him to be their champion anymore. It just happened that the guy on the other side was Dragon. One thing led to another, and we all know what happened from there. No need to get into an of that, except that I decided to make the trip to Chicago to check out the fed that happened to conveniently open right when LXW closed, and low and behold he was there.
Fab: How was that meeting?
Short. Very short and to the point. I wanted nothing to do with him anymore. That pretty much lead me to leaving that place before the ink on the contract even dried. I come to learn that he even had a hand in the place's creation, voluntarily leaving LXW to help build it. But we see how long that house of cards stood before it came crashing down. it was just more of the same, looking out for yourself. That seemed to have been the kind of men who were attracted to me for some reason, and at that point I was pretty much done with them.
Fab: And that's when you signed to the XWA.
Right. This was the fresh start I needed. That a lot of people needed. Right after LXW folded a lot of leagues started popping up, but I knew that this was going to be the place to be out of them all. I fashioned the idea of wrestling in Toronto, thank god I didn't. After hearing about what they did with Marisol (Cardinale), there was no way I was going to deal with them.
Fab: Well, let's steer away from the politics of the business, even as involved in such things as you have been in. How has XWA been treating you?
Good, Fabbie. Really good. Better than I could possibly have imagined. Like I said, this is the place to be if you're a wrestler who really wants to be in that global spotlight. To be one of the household names in all of that is an honor. I haven't even held a title, but the respect I get for what I've done here is right up there with the Ashleys and Heathers of the world. That's what I think really sets the XWA experience apart from other places. The respect you get here comes from within.
Nobody cares where it is that you've been in the past, everyone however respects those who make things happen in the fed itself though. You take a look at a girl like Ashley, who last year nobody even heard of, and now she's regarded as being the best female wrestler in the world pound-for-pound. You don't get that distinction by talking out of your ass or making claims of greatness, you get it by getting it done. That's how anybody in the XWA gets any recognition, and that is what I think is the best part about the XWA.
Fab: Now that we're in current events, let's talk about your current situation. We haven't seen a lot of you and Keith Wyle together lately. What's the story there?
Well, Keith is the man who renewed my faith in the male human species
. More than that, he's the most loving, kind-hearted man I've ever met. My mother and father died not long after I was born, so I've never had a stern, steady man who's shoulder I could lean on. That might explain why I've not had the best track record with men, but Keith changed all of that. It started out a purely physical thing, but then I started to get to know him and he started to get to know me, and we just started growing closer and closer from there. I love him with all of my heart. Right now we're just trying to get things going in terms of our XWA careers. We still meet behind the scenes, off the camera and all of that, but right now he's doing his thing and I'm doing mine on the camera, that's all that is.Fab: Speaking of doing your thing, tell me about The Sensationals? How'd that come to pass?
Well, I've been friends with Marisol since last season actually. She had told me once about this idea she had to form a female team or stable while she was in Toronto. Obviously that fell through when they terminated her contract without even telling her in advance. If you can remember, I had my little team early on in the first season that fell through as well when my partner left for that very place it seems.
Fab: Misery loves company, huh?
Guess so. Anyway, we hooked up in New York before Independence Day, and she was just coming off of that big win against Tiffany Masterson and me off a win against Melissa Armstrong. All of sudden, you had this forming of a few other groups, and finally Mari just asked me "wanna"? I just said, "yep", and that was that. The name is her idea though, that was what she was going to call her team had it happened up north.
Fab: Fairly simple origin story for that...
Well, we've got one more girl joining the team as well. We'll wait for Glitter to unveil that though.
Fab: Tell me more about your history with Hayley Jonas, Amber. It's pretty detailed isn't it?
She's like the yang to my yin. She's the polar opposite as far as personality goes, as far as everything goes. I've not had an easy life don't get me wrong, but compared to her I've lived a Cinderella story, and that seems to be what she's always thought of me. She's been everywhere I've been, VWE, LXW, everywhere. I don't know...it's as if we're just linked to each other. Like a common existence that just is. It probably won't be long before our paths cross again. It's just bound to happen.
Fab: Do you respect her though?
Of course I do. She's the toughest woman in all of wrestling, hands down. Just as much there've been girls who think they could be as naughty, flirty and sexy as me, there've been those who think they can be as rough, rugid and raw as her, and it's just not happening! She's been a champion, heck...she IS a champion. She's fought the best and won, what's not to respect? I don't think the feeling is mutual though, but I'm cool with it. I'm comfortable with myself to the point where whoever likes or doesn't like me or what I do or have done really doesn't hurt who I am.
Fab: So...what do see in the future for the XWA?
Big things. From what I hear around the locker rooms and in the front office, 2009 has the makings of being the biggest year ever, and that's saying something since we're only halfway through 2008. A lot of new talent has added to the company. New girls like Jamie Fury and Sonya Robbins and Alundra Jade, serious competitors who have strong character.
Over with the guys, the new guys are really bumping heads with the vets, and I love that. All in all it's like the people who're here this year who weren't last year know of what we've done to make this place the #1 fed in the world of it's kind and they're doing what they can to be a part of that, not bigger than it.
Fab: And what's in the future for Amber Gianni?
Well, with The Sensationals, I hope to eventually make some form of run for the Sapphire Titles. Maybe that may end up being my pre-destined reunion with Hayley.
Otherwise, who knows? There's going to be some big opportunities coming up for the Diamonds I might look into, but for now it's all about me, Mari and our new friend.Fab: Well, I'm sure that it like most of your career will be nothing short of exciting. Thank you so much again for taking this time out to have a chat with me here. Is there anything that you want to say to anyone out there in closing?
Of course! I love you all! Everyone who's supported me over the years, all of my fans who come to my site, who come to see me at trade shows and here in the XWA, I appreciate the support and the kindness that you share with me. Sarah Warfield, you've always been and always will be the mother I never had and the sister I always wanted. I owe everything to you, and Keith baby, you're my pillar of strength. I'm as lucky to have you as you must think that you are to have me...and that's pretty lucky.
Fab: Ain't he now?
Well, thank you again...now go on and enjoy yourself while we're here in Vegas!Oh yeah, got some shopping to do!
