LadySports ::: BELLE von BLACK

Q & A: BELLE von BLACK

"Wrestling is my Purpose in Life.”

by Shiai Mata

Hailing from Calgary, Alberta Canada... one of the all-time great wrestling territories... comes a woman who is bound and determined to make her mark in the sport. She can already boast of being a graduate of the fabled Hart Family "Dungeon", of working for a number of prominent promotions, and of having worn ten pounds of leather and gold around her waist. But she’s not one to boast about her past accomplishments... she prefers to do her talking in the ring, one victory at a time. And now, LadySports Online is proud to introduce the Dark Princess, Belle Von Black!

Stats
Height:  5’4”
Weight:  120 lbs.
Eyes:  Brown
Hair:  Dark Brown
Date of Birth:  July 22, 1980  

LADYSPORTS: Welcome, Belle! Can you tell us when you began wrestling?
BELLE VON BLACK: I started wrestling in July of 2001.

LS: What and/or who influenced you most to wrestle?
BvB: Growing up in Calgary, it was hard to not be influenced by the Hart family. I always loved Bret, Owen, and Davey Boy Smith, among many others who came from the Dungeon. When I started to train in the Dungeon myself, it was very surreal to me.

LS: Describe a typical day of wrestling training for you? What is most important and what are the things you train on most?
BvB: I try to take advantage of any ring time I can get to work on all aspects of wrestling. I focus on perfecting my craft, and to give you those secrets would just be a foolish mistake on my part.

LS: What are your best holds, pins, moves? What are you best known for?
BvB: Headscissors, DDT and the Stampede Stretch. I’m best known for being a very nice mix of mean and vicious.

LS: Have you ever been injured in the ring?
BvB: The worst was when I severely sprained my ankle and tore all the ligaments in my foot at the end of a match. I was out for almost four months.

LS: What is your most memorable moment?
BvB: Being invited to train in Stu Hart’s Dungeon. I am one of only two women to ever graduate from there.

LS: Where have you wrestled? And have you held any titles yet?
BvB: I have wrestled in various places throughout Western Canada for Stampede Wrestling and PWA. I also worked for the Supergirls promotion in Vancouver, BC. I am currently doing most of my wrestling in Kentucky for DCW. I am proud to say that I was the Stampede Wrestling Woman’s Champion.

LS: Who and what are your fans like?
BvB: Everyone’s a Belle Von Black fan. So take a look around you. The person you are looking at right now is most likely a Belle fan. SL: What comments or reaction do you get from others about being a wrestler.
BvB: Most people are a little bit shocked. I think that they mainly find it odd since I am a girl. The most popular comment I hear is that I am too small. So I make sure to remind people that size doesn’t matter. It’s usually the ones you don’t expect that you have to watch out for. SL: In your opinion, what are your thoughts on women participating in the sport?
BvB: Obviously I think it’s fantastic.

LS: What would you do to make the sport better?
BvB: I would make the focus of women’s wrestling be more on the athleticism and the actual sport of wrestling.

LS: How has wrestling changed your life? What is so special about this sport to you?
BvB: Wrestling is my purpose in life. I am very lucky to be living my dream. Wrestling has always been a big part of who I am. My brother and I grew up watching it together; it was a very important part of our childhood. I am very proud to be not only a woman, but a woman worker in this business. It is all I have ever wanted to do.

LS: As a wrestler, what is your most marked characteristic?
BvB: I’m the Dark Princess! Need I say more?

LS: How would you describe yourself in terms of attitude, personality, likes, dislikes and strengths?
BvB: I am a touch outspoken and very self-confident. I like myself and dislike most other people, especially posers.

LS: What are your favorite foods, music, clothes, cars etc.?
BvB: I love anything chocolate. My favorite bands are My Chemical Romance and HIM. My favorite thing to wear is a nice comfy hoody. I kind of collect them and have around 40.

LS: What other sports or hobbies do you have an interest in?
BvB: Well naturally, being a good Canadian girl, hockey is just under wrestling on my list of favorite sports. Playing it, watching it, whatever!

LS: What would make you most happy in life?
BvB: I want to look back on my life and be able to say that I am satisfied with what I’ve accomplished. When it’s all said and done, if I can look back with no regrets, then I will be happy.

LS: What is your greatest regret?
BvB: I have no regrets.

LS: What would you do if you couldn't be in wrestling?
BvB: I would be somewhere else doing something fabulous. ‘Cause that’s what I am... fabulous!

LS: Other comments or information you might want to add?
BvB: Get ready wrestling fans... Belle Von Black has arrived!