LadySports ::: TIFFANY THE MAFIA PRINCESS...

"A MADE WOMAN: TIFFANY THE MAFIA PRINCESS"

By Shiai Mata

Don’t make “Godfather” jokes to Tiffany the Mafia Princess.

She isn’t making you an offer you can’t refuse, sending anyone to sleep with the fishes, or taking the cannoli. What she is doing is stepping between the ropes and giving her opponents…female and male alike…a fight they won’t soon forget!

The 5’5”, 130 lb. Italian brunette was initially drawn to the sport by the charisma of men like Ric Flair and Steve Austin, whose larger-than-life personalities appealed to her own brash nature. But it wasn’t long before she went from being a fan to being a young woman with an intense desire to step into the ring herself. “It became more than just something to watch when I saw the tremendous athleticism involved,” says Tiffany. “I was especially blown away by the high-flying and some of the Lucha stuff, and thought I had to get in the ring and try it!”

In May of 2004, six months after entering her training school, Tiffany the Mafia Princess made her pro wrestling debut, and it wasn’t long before she emerged as a major figure on the West Coast. But her comet-quick rise to stardom hasn’t come easy…she knows full well just how hard and arduous one has to work for success. That includes a strict daily workout regimen. “When I am not at my day job, I am usually working out, training or doing something pertaining to wrestling. I have very little time for anything else, but it is definitely worth it. In fact, I don’t know what I’d do without it now. It is a great outlet for aggression [something which she confesses is an issue with her], and it is just an amazing experience to get into the ring with an opponent in front of a crowd! There are so many elements involved: physical, mental, dramatic, emotional…there’s really no way to accurately describe the feeling, but it’s pretty amazing and very addictive.“

“I try to do a lot of cardio and some jumping drills. If I have a partner available I like to just get in there and practice some basic amateur and chain wrestling. After that I usually try to come up with some new holds or practice some specific moves that I am planning to debut soon.”

As far as holds go, the brunette is already renowned for a number of complex moves in her arsenal, including the Hurancanrana, the Crucifix Tilt-A-Whirl Armdrag, and the Code Red…all of which have brought her more than a few victories.

For all of her successes, thought, she’s still new enough to the sport to make some rookie mistakes. She recalls with a shudder one in particular. “It’s not my favorite moment, but it’s definitely one of my most memorable,” she says. “I was given a Piledriver off of the top rope by Robert Thompson. I was scared stiff…literally! I think I went completely rigid for some reason and just closed my eyes, since there was nothing I could do.” Luckily, the Italian beauty did not suffer a crippling injury from this. However, she has left the ring with her fair share of bumps and bruises, as well as a broken nose which required surgery.

s she tours rings up and down California, Tiffany continues to amaze and impress the fans. Indeed, she knows what her fans want and she tries to give it to them. “I’m kind of mean and ruthless in the ring, and my fans are people who appreciate that sort of thing.” She continues to be amused by the reactions of non-wrestling fans when they discover her vocation. “Most people thing I’m too small and too feminine…they think all female wrestlers should look like Chyna!” And there is talk now that fans in Mexico will soon be able to see the Mafia Princess in action, as the Lucha Libre Femenil has expressed an interest in bringing her down to Monterrey.

Not surprisingly, Tiffany has some strong opinions about this sport she has dedicated herself to. “I wish there was the proper balance of sport and entertainment. It seems like there are a lot of wrestlers who are entertaining and charismatic, but are just awful in the ring. Or vice versa…they might be a fantastic worker, but they don’t have a really captivating energy. I find the former particularly rampant in female wrestling; too many girls that look great, but can’t get it done in the ring.”

In the spare moments when she isn’t working or training, Tiffany likes to relax with kickboxing, dancing, or traveling. Musically, she makes time for the Ramones, the Melvins and Black Sabbath. As expected, she’s careful about her diet, but she has an avowed weakness for sweets…”although I try not to indulge too often,” she adds. “Probably one of my favorite things to eat is sushi because it tastes great and it’s not too bad for me either.” Given the heavy demands of her ring career, something as ordinary as going out clothes shopping becomes difficult. Luckily, the brunette has put modern technology to work to make up for this. “I am addicted to Internet shopping! I like all sorts of styles, but my favorite colors are most definitely red and black.”

Outside of the squared circle, some fans might be surprised to find that Tiffany can be downright quiet and introverted…but only in certain circumstances. “I have a loud mouth,” she proudly says. “And I can be outgoing,” she adds in a masterpiece of understatement. Asked how she thinks other people might describe her personality, she ponders, then says, “I really like people who are straightforward and honest, and people who have a decent sense of humor. I try not to judge people too much, but I really can’t stand to be around phonies. I’d rather someone tell me something negative rather than give me a line of BS.”

She’s also a woman who doesn’t allow herself regrets…except for one. “I wish I had started wrestling sooner,” she says. But then she also adds, “I would love to spend less time in the office at my day job and concentrate more on wrestling and fitness. If I didn’t have to spend so much of the day in front of a computer, that would be fantastic!”

In closing, Tiffany offers her opinion on women in wrestling. “I love women’s wrestling,” she enthusiastically says. “But I wish there were more lady wrestlers in this area. I wind up wrestling guys a lot because there are so few females. I also wish women’s wrestling was better respected. I think there are some amazing female athletes out there, but sometimes they get pushed aside for the T & A stuff.”

Finally, asked if she has a personal motto she’d like to share, she laughs and says, “Hmmmm…I don’t think I have one. Maybe that’s what’s been holding me back?”

But rest assured, there’s no holding back this talented and dedicated woman.

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