LADYSPORTS SPOTLIGHT: CHASITY ANN TAYLOR

While women wrestlers are rightly celebrated here at LadySports, we also like to acclaim the 
successes and contributions of ladies in other areas of the sport as well.  One key role in 
the business... although it is sadly often overlooked... is that of announcer.  A good announcer 
can help set the stage for a match, to whip up enthusiasm (or, if necessary, animosity) for 
wrestlers, to act as cheerleader to get the audience fired up.  The very best announcers can, 
quite literally, help make a decent show good, and a good show great.
 
One of the fastest rising voices on the microphone these days is Chasity Ann Taylor.  
Ridiculously young... she's only just turned 18!... she's already very much in demand in the 
Mid-Atlantic region, and she's recently been tapped by the SHINE organization to announce 
their shows!  LadySports is very happy to help introduce to fans around the world this 
exceptional young woman.
 
 

The Stats:

Height: 5'2"
 
Weight: One hundred and fifteen pounds
 
Hair: Hahah... Changes by the season!  Currently brown/red.
 
Hometown: Pleasant Garden, North Carolina

LS: And who inspired you to get into wrestling?
CAT: I give my dad full credit for introducing me to wrestling. When I was really young, I'd watch Starcade VHS's with my dad, and I fell in love watching the scaffold match with the Rock ‘n Roll Express and the Road W arriors. I never really had hair as a youngin' either, but what hair I had was bright blonde so I would strut and "WHOO" like Ric across the house! Guys like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, the Road Warriors and then Babydoll are the ones who stand out as the first people I remember watching.

LS: It's rare that someone so young as you, particularly a girl, would be so seriously dedicated to the sport. What sort of resistance did you face, if any?
CAT: The resistance wasn't so much because I was a girl but more so because I was so young. At 13 I had to lie in some locker rooms and say I was 18, which was completely unbelievable but I did what I was told. Some guys didn't feel comfortable with me around and some just didn't take me seriously.

LS: Although announcing is an important part of the business, it's often overlooked. What drew you to this role?
CAT: I was so young when I started attending live events, wrestling was never even an option. I spoke really "eloquently" for a girl my age so the promoter threw me on the mic. Now, I really enjoy it and I love being given the opportunity to travel around the country doing it!

LS: You've been known to go beyond announcing and actually getting physically involved in the action occasionally. Any plans to become a full time wrestler yourself?
CAT: I have trained with CWF Mid Atlantic and I LOVE being active in the ring. Days go by where I'm like, "Dang, that should be me in there with so-and-so!" but I've come to the MATURE decision and theory that Lillian Garcia won't be at WWE forever. WWE won't replace her with just anybody... I could only hope that I would be someone they'd show interest in. I mean, if you go on WWE.com she is on the Divas site, she's guaranteed a spot each week, whereas some girls aren't, and she gets to watch wrestling from the best seat in the house! I'd be honored.

LS: What sort of training have you undertaken, and with whom?
CAT: I've trained with CWF Mid Atlantic and there isn't one specific trainer, we trained as a family but I give Roy Wilkins, Arik Royal, Trevor Lee, Jason Whisman, and Andrew Everett the most credit. They each spent a lot of time with me and made training fun!

LS: Describe a typical day of training for you. What is most important in your workout?
CAT: I could lie and say I work out every day, but I totally don't. When I do work out, I hate running in place. To me it makes no sense because you're not going anywhere! I like lifting weights and anything with abs! Squats are on my to-do list, though.

LS: And have you done any managing as well?
CAT: Yes! I absolutely love to manage. Managing Arik Royal and Chiva Kid (now Andrew Everett Cross) was always so much fun. It was for my Dad's and my promotion, so I kind of had free rein to do what I wanted there, and that's when the Crossbody came out. Always so much fun!

LS: Who has helped you the most in your career?
CAT: Amber Gertner by far. She's the most caring person I've ever met.

LS: And where do you see yourself in five years?
CAT: I would love to be working for WWE. Ring announcing, managing, wrestling, commentating, or even a janitor... !

LS: If you could step into the ring with anyone in the world, who would you most like to take on?
CAT: Oh my goodness, several. If Krissy Vaine would ever consider getting back in the ring, I would buy a ticket to see us work one another. Trish... I her loved as a kid. Lita, too. But when I first saw Krissy I really discovered what an "idol" was. Working her would just be a dream come true!

LS: Who are some of your favorite wrestlers today?
CAT: I love watching the indy guys succeed. Ambrose, Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Hero. John Cena is still one of my favorites. Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair are my all-time favorites.

LS: Have you ever been injured in the ring?
CAT: Bumps and bruises here and there, but never anything serious. I did work an angle where the BFF's "broke" my elbow at a TCW show, and I even wore the sling to school.

LS: What are your thoughts on women in wrestling?
CAT: Non-wrestling fans find it hard to believe that there are so many promotions out there that are strictly WOMENS promotions. I find all of the SHIMMER/SHINE girls remarkably talented, and I love watching the WWE and TNA girls grow in the ring. With the help of Sara del Rey over at WWE, I can really see improvement in the Divas' division, and just the way TNA give their Knockouts an opportunity is great.

LS: If you had the power, what one thing would you do to improve the sport?
CAT: Oh man... ! Make people believe in it again. I miss the "realness" of wrestling.

LS: Any regrets?
CAT: Absolutely none.

LS: What would you do if you couldn't be in wrestling?
CAT: I'm currently studying at UNCW to be a teacher. I can see myself teaching someday when wrestling is over. God forbid it ever ends.

LS: Can you tell us what the one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out in the sport would be?
CAT: Learn for yourself. Plenty of people will tell you the Do's and Don'ts, but in the end, do what you feel in your heart is right. If it's a mistake, oh well. And specifically for gir

LS: Women have it rough making it in this business... you constantly have to watch what you say, who you talk to, what you wear or how you act, because there are so many repercussions. Sadly, talent will only get you but so far. Stay true to your morals, make great friends and great memories, but always watch your back. The world is always watching to see you mess up.

LS: What is your personal motto?
CAT: "Pura Vida!" I went to Costa Rica my junior year of high school and that is a Costa Rican term. Its literal translation is "Pure Life", but in Costa Rica it means everything. "Oh it's raining? Pura Vida!" "Pura Vida, this salsa is hot." "What a beautiful day, Pura Vida." I love the idea that life is too short to not live it the way you want, so living a PURE LIFE and staying happy is my motto.

LS: And lastly, anything else you'd like to add?
CAT: I am absolutely blessed to be living the life I live. In a few weeks I'll be moving into my own home in Wilmington, NC. I'm a full time student with job and I get to live my dream on the weekends traveling to different wrestling promotions all over. I am thankful for those who have helped along the way and even those who didn't believe in me, because it gave me motivation to succeed. I'm nowhere near where I want to end up but each weekend I am getting one step closer and I thank you for the support.

Thank ya'll for having me!

chasitytaylor.com

Photos courtesy of Ms Taylor