LADYSPORTS: Welcome to LadySports, Violet. When did you first get into the sport?
VIOLET PAYNE: I started training in September 2011, but I have been a fan since 1995.
LS: Who trained you?
VP: I was trained by Norman Smiley, Steve Keirn and Lince Dorado.
LS: What was your biggest influence to become a wrestler?
VP: I love the art of professional wrestling. I remember as a child being
so emotionally invested in wrestling... the movements, the characters, the storylines.
LS: What other sports do you have an interest in?
VP: Ballroom dancing (it is a sport!)...I also love playing basketball and
volleyball. By as far as being a fan goes, I love ALL sports.
LS: How would you describe yourself in terms of attitude, personality,
likes, dislikes, and strengths?
VP: I'm very compassionate, selfless and emotional, which are my best
and worst traits. I work very hard at everything I do. When it comes to my personality...
I'm shy at first, but wrestling has helped me be more outgoing...I can make conversation
with anyone. I'm very impulsive, so I'm not much of a control freak.
LS: What is your most marked characteristic as a wrestler?
VP: Probably my heritage. I'm Native American from the Cherokee Tribe.
LS: Describe a typical day of training for you. What is most important in
your workout?
VP: I think all of the training I do is important. Whether it's training
in a ring, doing drills, working on basic moves and trying new things... or in the
gym doing cardio, lifting and stretching. I also like to mix it up by going to spin
class or dance class!
LS: How would you best describe your ring style?
VP: Very technical.
LS: What moves are you best known for?
VP: "The UltraViolet" (formerly "The Rain Dance"... aka Chris Jericho's
"Codebreaker"), the camel clutch or the shining wizard variation I used to use when I
wrestled under the name Justine Silver.
LS: Have you ever been injured in the ring?
VP: Yes! It happens.
LS: Who have been your toughest opponents?
VP: Santana Garrett, Ivelisse, Barbi Hayden.
LS: Who are your allies?
VP: Luscious Latasha.
LS: What has been your most memorable win?
VP: Hmm. Hard to say. There are many. (and many more to come!).
LS: What was your worst loss?
VP: Against Su Yung at Shine.
LS: Who is the one wrestler you would most like to face in the ring, but
haven't yet?
VP: Chelsea Green, Delilah Doom, Thunder Rosa, Holidead, Ray Lyn.
LS: What type of match do you enjoy the most?
VP: The question is, what match don't I enjoy the most? Haha
LS: What sort of reactions do you get from people when they learn you
are a wrestler?
VP: "I didn't expect that" "You're too small to be a wrestler"...
followed by a million questions.
LS: What is so special about this sport to you?
VP: There is honestly nothing like it. You have the ability to inspire
people, to educate people, to help people with things that you do.
LS: What are your fans like?
VP: The coolest! I love love LOVE meeting fans. I love hearing their
stories, what they like about my matches and any input they have. Without them, I
would be nothing.
LS: If you had the power, what one thing would you do to improve the sport?
VP: Hmm...I'll get back to you on that.
LS: Where have you wrestled, and what titles have you held?
VP: All over Florida, Oklahoma, a few places in Texas, about to debut in
California. I was the CWE Vixens Champ in 2014.
LS: What are your thoughts on women participating in the sport?
VP: I think it's great. Sure, it was a male dominated sport, but over the
past five years I have seen many women get involved. We're as tough as the guys.
If not tougher!
LS: What was your most unforgettable moment in the sport?
VP: My first match in 2011. My father, who is a huge wrestling fan, drove
all the way from Oklahoma to Florida just to see it. Meant the world to me.
LS: Any regrets?
VP: Probably getting caught up in drama. I could have worked harder in
the beginning, but you live and learn.
LS: What would you do if you couldn't be in wrestling?
VP: I'd probably be a physical therapist, or own my own animal shelter.
I'm a huge animal lover.
LS: What is your personal motto?
VP: You don't always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe,
trust, let go and see what happens.
LS: What would make you most happy in life?
VP: Living out all of my crazy dreams and living with no regrets.
LS: Anything else you'd like to add?
VP: I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me during
this crazy journey and has continued to over the past five years. I know I have been kind
of MIA over the past two years, but believe me, that's all about to change.
Don't Stop Believin'!
violet-payne.com
