LadySports ::: JOSIE AIN'T NO PUSSYCAT! ...

by Shiai Mata

There's an old cliche in Hollywood films about the mousy secretary who takes off her glasses and lets down her hair to reveal that she's really a knockout.

These days, in pro wrestling at least, the best equivalent may just be a young woman named Josie, who is a 'very serious' corporate accountant by day, but when she hits the ring, she's one of the biggest bombshells to hit women's wrestling in the Midwest!

Like a lot of today's young talent, she grew up watching wrestling on TV during the 90's boom, and was quickly drawn into the pomp and circumstance of the WWF and WCW. But it was the 'Tough Enough' show which really got her attention. 'I was addicted to watching it,' she says. 'I would stay home and watch the marathons on the weekends.' But it wasn't simply because she was an avid viewer that Josie paid such rapt attention to the program. 'I kept telling my family I wanted to do it, and they kept telling me I was too much of a princess to be a wrestler,' she says with a smile. 'I think that was all I needed to hear to fuel the fire! I wanted to show them this princess could whup ass.'

A princess she may have been, but she was hardly a delicate flower. 'I am the youngest of ten children. You have to be aggressive in a family that big, or you will never get in the bathroom in the morning, and you will definitely eat last.' She was also a natural athlete in school, pursuing gymnastics, track and cheerleading, and also being a danceline member... in addition to studying the violin, trumpet, flute and piano! Oh, and she also made the time to participate in drama, debate, speech, and numerous other clubs at her performing arts high school. A consummate 'doer,' Josie admits that wrestling provides her with an outlet for a lot of aggressive behavior that she no longer has myriad school activities to channel into.

'From a young age,' says the Twin City Tussler, 'I was always interested in the performing arts and athletics. Wrestling incorporates all of those things and gives me what I've wanted all my life: Your undivided attention. I've had the opportunity to travel the country... and soon the world. I have had the pleasure to come in contact with so many types of people. There is no other feeling like when you hop out of the ring and a mob of kids rush you!'

When she was no longer able to contain her desire, Josie sought out a training school and knuckled down to learn the complex art of Professional Wrestling from the highly respected Eddie Sharkey. At 5'4" and 140 pounds, she has a solid physique for the sport, but she quickly learned that training is a whole lot more than just learning how to throw someone around the ring. It's about the basics, and it's the basics which remain the bedrock of her workout regimen to this day. 'I start with cardio drills and then bumping drills. We then move into working on short spots going back and forth between being a face and a heel. We pay attention to fitness and nutrition. We talk about wrestling etiquette.'

Asked what role she most enjoys playing, she flashes a smile and proudly says, 'I am a brawler. I make a lot of noise in the ring. I really try to make the crowd part of my matches. I like forearms and chops... but I'm also learning as many submissions as I can. My finishers are a Spinning Spinebuster called the 'Pop, Lock 'n Drop', and I also use a Powerbomb. I recently have switched to a Single Leg Crab finisher I call the 'Dreadlock'. It has gotten a really big response from the crowd.'

But for all of the big responses from the crowds, wrestling carries an element of risk which never disappears during a match, although good training can diminish the chance of injuries considerably... a fact which Josie greatly appreciates. 'I have been pretty lucky, no major injuries so far. I did receive a minor concussion in my very first match. And just recently, a new trainee hit me in the jaw with a back elbow. I couldn't bite down for two days!' Still, she knows that if she were not in such good condition and not so mentally alert in the ring, she could have suffered dozens of injuries by now.

As someone who takes her own career very seriously, it comes as no surprise that Josie has some firm opinions on what would improve the sport. 'I would cut back on the people calling themselves trainers. There are people out there stealing money from kids who just want to learn. These kids get half-trained and end up across the ring from you, and they have no business being there.'

As for the role of women in the sport, she says, 'I think it takes a special kind of woman to want to do this. I think it takes a special person to want to be in wrestling, period. But for women especially. The sport of women's wrestling is evolving past 'pretty girls in the ring' to 'chicks who can wrestle'. It has made everyone step up their game. It has made people stand up and notice. And I think the women are getting more respect from the boys for our work now.'

Not surprisingly, upon meeting her, virtually no one suspects that this pleasant, well-spoken young lady is also a tough as nails pro wrestler. More than a few are incredulous at first when they learn of it. 'Most people think it is very interesting. They usually ask it it's fake. Then,' she adds with a wink, 'most men want me to put them in a headlock.'

Wrestling has given her the chance to travel widely ('I never realized how big the world was until I started driving across the country!'), including throughout the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic and Mid-Southern regions, and California. And she definitely wants to make the journey to Japan someday soon She's also enjoyed some championship gold, having held titles for World League Wrestling, Pro Wrestling America, the UCW-AWA, and several other promotions. She's also had a tryout for the WWE.

Away from the ring, Josie likes to unwind watching cartoons, enjoying music, cooking, and just hanging out with friends. 'These friends look out for my well-being and keep me grounded. I am not a big fan of people who are always 'in character'... which, considering the aggressive reputation of her ring persona, is a good thing in this case!

Asked what her motto is, Josie doesn't mince words when she avows, 'I don't care why the promoter booked me... it's my job to give them a reason to book me again.'

As she said, it takes a special kind of person to make it as a professional wrestler. And as Josie is proving, this princess is a very special woman indeed!

JosieBomb.com