LADYSPORTS SPOTLIGHT: JESSIE BELLE SMOTHERS

SPOTLIGHT: JESSIE BELLE SMOTHERS

"A tomboy... who happens to clean up pretty nice!"

Jessie Belle Smothers

How’s this for a back story: Young woman with a burning desire to pursue a life in wrestling does so, and starts to build a successful career solely on the strength of her talent and her drive. Then, one day she learns an astounding truth... she is the daughter of a highly successful wrestler! Clearly, Jessie Belle has wrestling in her blood.

PGWA fans took to her immediately; after only one match in the Association, the blonde wowed fans enough to earn her first place in the ProWrestlingDigest.com poll to name the PGWA Wrestler of 2010! Rest assured, PGWA fans will be seeing much more of this impressive young lady in the days and years to come!

LadySports Online is proud to help introduce Jessie Belle Smothers to fans worldwide in this exclusive new interview!


THE STATS:


Name: Jessie Belle Smothers

Height: Five feet nine inches

Weight: 145 pounds

Hair: Blonde top, red underneath

Hometown: Bardstown, Kentucky


LADYSPORTS: Jessie Belle, welcome to LadySports! When did you first get into the sport?
JESSIE BELLE: I first got into Wrestling as a valet in 2006.

LS: Who trained you?
JB: My training consists of many different people from several promotions, but the main people involved are Diane Von Hoffman, Frankie Tomas, Mitch Ryder, most influentially my dad Tracy Smothers, and the extremely talented Mickie Knuckles.

LS: What was your biggest influence to become a wrestler?
JB: My biggest influence would have to have been Trish Stratus. When I was younger, I wanted to be just like her.

LS: Did your father ever try to discourage you from getting into the business?
JB: I was already in the business when my mom told me about my dad... she did everything she could to keep me away from every form of wrestling. My dad has done nothing but support and help me since I've known him, especially since we got our DNA tests back in June, 2010.

LS: As a second generation wrestler, have you found that having a famous father has been any sort of hindrance to your career, or has it helped?
JB: I'd say being second generation has helped and sparked a lot of curiosity with promoters, veterans and other workers wondering if I had his abilities and passion for this business.

LS: What other sports do you have an interest in?
JB: I love all sports, especially basketball, softball, and football. I also did cheerleading and dance team in high-school.

LS: How would you describe yourself in terms of attitude and personality?
JB: I would consider myself as very outgoing and friendly. I'm a very passionate, warm-hearted, unique, goofy kinda gal! I’d sum myself up as a tomboy who never meets a stranger, and who happens to clean up pretty nice!

LS: Describe a typical day of training for you. What is most important in your workout?
JB: Well, let's go for a week of training, ‘cause one day wouldn't properly sum up my routine. The most important part of my training is diet. Six small meals a day is essential, consisting of mostly lean proteins, EFA's (essential fatty acids), as well as complex and fibrous carbs, all measured and in moderation. Resistance training is four days a week in the gym, training relative muscle groups for each workout session (i.e. chest with tri’s, back with bi’s, etc...). Really, pretty basic routines. Two of the four resistance training days are followed by cardio and abs, along with two of my three off days consisting of cardio first thing in the morning and some toning abdominal work. Although I'm finding myself on the road wrestling approximately four or five days out of the week, I feel that rest and diet come before the gym, so I ALWAYS try to get that sleep in, whenever possible, and carefully plan out and pack my meals for the road.

LS: How would you best describe your ring style?
JB: I’d say my ring style is an Old School psychology that also utilizes my aerial agility and flexible qualities when necessary. My philosophy is to outsmart my opponent from the beginning and it will keep them flustered, making it much more difficult for the adversary to win.

LS: What moves are you best known for?
JB: ‘Id say I'm best known for my ring entrance, and using my flexibility to awe the crowd, keeping my offense interesting, like my kick series followed by the splits leg drop...right on my competition's throat!

LS: Have you ever been injured in the ring?
JB: I've suffered a few minor injuries... pulled muscles, busted lips, nose, and chipped teeth. However, I attribute my training as a preventative to any major injuries, which makes it all worth it.

LS: Who have been your toughest opponents?
JB: Toughest opponent by far is Mickie Knuckles... she's as strong as an ox and knows at least ten counters to every hold!

LS: Who are your allies?
JB: It is understandably known that you have various allies, and enemies, in different parts of the country at different times. But there are some that are a select few always there for me: my dad, Mickie Knuckles, Rockin’ Rebel Ryan Howe, and Angela DeBella.

LS: What has been your most memorable win?
JB: I would say I have two memorable wins, the first of which being over Felony Foxx for the KZW Women’s title, and the other against Mary Elizabeth Monroe for the 304 TV Women’s title.

LS: What was your worst loss?
JB: My most difficult loss was at PCW in Midlothian, Illinois, against December for the PCW Women’s belt. After overcoming and countering everything she threw at me... legal and illegal!...she took advantage of an overzealous mistake on my part, and with the help of the ropes, got a cheap pin. I've never been so mad at myself...! Well, she hasn't seen the last of me...there's always next time!

LS: Who is the one wrestler you would most like to face in the ring, but haven’t yet?
JB: I would love the opportunity to face Mickie James. I have the upmost respect and admiration for her as an athlete and a role model.

LS: What type of match do you enjoy the most?
JB: A good old-fashioned traditional title match, having the opportunity to show that I'm the best.

LS: What sort of reactions do you get from people when they learn you are a wrestler?
JB: The reactions I get are...surprised, to say the least. Mostly, the first statement is insinuating I am too small; they don’t know the average female wrestler’s height is 5'6”. After the initial shock, they are intrigued and full of questions for me: Is it fake? Do you get hurt? Why did you choose to do that? Are you a violent person by nature? Etcetera.

LS: What is so special about this sport to you?
JB: The fans and the short period I have to interact with them between the curtains... the passion that is in this sport and being able to feed off of the audience’s energy.

LS: What are your fans like?
JB: My ‘Belle Ringers’ are dedicated and determined... very supporting, die hard, never losing faith....absolutely incredible, to say the least!

LS: If you had the power, what one thing would you do to improve the sport?
JB: If I had the power to improve things, not only would I enforce more Old School fan vs locker room etiquette. And I’d give the few women in the sport with world-wide exposure a more equal part in the show, rather than the current one "token" short match per show, to show their athletic and wrestling abilities. We need to give these women a chance to prove they can entertain as much as the male competitors.

LS: Where have you wrestled, and what titles have you held?
JB: The titles I have held consist... thus far... of the KZW and 304 Women’s titles. As far as where I have wrestled, I hope the promotions I forget will forgive me, but here's who I can remember off the top: Coliseum Championship Wrestling in Evansville, Indiana... United Wrestling Alliance in Georgetown, Kentucky... XCW in Corydon, Indiana... PCW in Midlothian, Illinois... OSW in LaVergne, Tennessee... NWA Main Event in Nashville, Tennessee... SAW in Nashville, Tennessee... ACW in Texas... UCW in the Cave City, Kentucky area... UWA in Bardstown, Kentucky... WCW in Lexington, Kentucky... TVW in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky... KZW in Shopville, Kentucky... 304 in Huntington, West Virginia... SIWF in Western Kentucky... MLW in Tennessee... WKCW in the Princeton/Paducah, Kentucky area, as well as several others in Ohio, Virginia, and North and South Carolina!

LS: What are your thoughts on women participating in the sport?
JB: I believe that, much like in everyday life, men and women are equal. If women train, practice, wrestle, and dedicate themselves as much as male main event competitors, there is nothing inhibiting women wrestlers from main eventing shows around the world as well.

LS: What was your most unforgettable moment in the sport?
JB: Although it is difficult to pick any single moment from the awesome experience of being on the road, I’d have to say that being backstage at the ECW pay-per-view with dad would definitely "take the cake"! Having the opportunity to meet and speak with my childhood idols, such as the Dudley Boys and MICK FOLEY(!!!), is an experience that will be held precious in my heart and memory forever.

LS: Any regrets?
JB: My only regret is not having the opportunity to get into this sport sooner.

LS: What's the single best piece of advice you ever received about being a wrestler?
JB: Don't forget about the people close to you...and of course, less is more.

LS: What would you do if you couldn’t be in wrestling?
JB: Finish school and enter the police force as a Spanish interpreter.

LS: What is your personal motto?
JB: A person is only worth their word, and they determine what they're worth. And if they're not worth their word, then their not worthy of your time.

LS: What would make you most happy in life?
JB: I would be most happy in life if I was able to provide myself a stable income by wrestling and ONLY wrestling. LB: Congratulations on winning the poll at Pro Wrestling Digest to determine the PGWA Wrestler of the Year for 2010. How does it feel to be so honored by the fans?
JB: It is an overwhelming honor, to say the least, to have such support from the fans... they are awesome! My Belle Ringers are one of a kind, and I'm truly blessed to have such support from fans, friends, and family.

LS: Anything else you’d like to add?
JB: The only thing I can add is that I'm looking forward to representing PGWA LadySports over this next year and, while giving 110% effort in entertaining my loyal fans, will also have the opportunity to make future Belle Ringers!

non PGWA pics courtesy of Jessie Belle




Jessie Belle Smothers

Jessie Belle Smothers


Jessie Belle Smothers

Jessie Belle Smothers


Jessie Belle Smothers

Jessie Belle Smothers


Jessie Belle Smothers

Jessie Belle Smothers

Jessie Belle Smothers


Jessie Belle Smothers