LadySports ::: NIKKI MATTHEWS

Q & A: NIKKI MATTHEWS

'I Couldn’t Care Less What Most People Think'

by Shiai Mata

Nikki Matthews might very well be insufferable. Arrogant, beautiful, sarcastic and whipsmart... and more than willing to let you know it... she’d have you believe she’s one of the most talented newcomers to the sport today. But the thing of it is... she just may be. Nikki has the skills to go toe-to-toe with virtually any woman in the sport, and to give even the most seasoned veteran a match she’ll remember! Perhaps time will teach her some humility, but we kind of doubt it. Nikki Matthews knows what she wants, and she’s not going to be humble about it.

Ring Name: Nikki Matthews
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 140 lbs
Hair: Luscious brown
Hometown: Coquitlam , British Columbia , Canada

LADYSPORTS: When did you first get into the sport?
NIKKI MATTHEWS: I started training in November of 2005 and started wrestling matches in February, 2006.

LS: Who trained you?
NM: Wow, that's quite a question! I've been trained by a bunch of great wrestlers. Gorgeous Michelle Starr, Scotty Mac, Aaron Idol, Vance Nevada, Disco Fury and Halo have all had a hand in my training. And of course, there are many people who have helped out here and there, namely Rebecca Knox and Juggernaut. It has been a great experience!

LS: What was your biggest influence to become a wrestler?
NM: I just really wanted to do something with my life that entertains others and lets me display my athletic abilities. I am not the type of person to be satisfied working behind a desk and mindlessly number crunching. Not to mention the fact that I have been a huge wrestling fan for my whole life. I’ve been wanting to do it since I was 14, so the first opportunity I found, I took it!

LS: What other sports do you have an interest in?
NM: I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years and a serious volleyball player in my high school years. My swimming background is a real benefit to me, as it was a great way to be in good shape and really taught me about fitness. I also enjoy watching hockey. What kind of Canadian girl would I be if I wasn’t at least a casual fan?

LS: How would you describe yourself in terms of attitude, personality, likes, dislikes, and strengths?
NM: I have a very, very determined attitude. Once I’ve made up my mind, good freaking luck changing it. I guess I don’t really have to mention that I am extremely stubborn, eh? I like comedy...in media and real life. Come on, who doesn’t laugh at other people’s misfortunes? Eh? I dislike fakeness, in very sense of the word. I think my strength is linked in with my attitude. I think it’s a strength to be focused and determined, and that’s exactly what I am.

LS: What is your most marked characteristic?
NM: In the ring, definitely my short temper. And believe me, it is usually extremely short

LS: What are your favorite foods, music, clothes, cars?
NM: I love my steak and chicken, that’s for sure! I’m a carnivore! I can’t believe that people actually don’t eat meat! I also love my desserts. I am a rock girl, that’s for sure. I can pretty well get into anything that is good, and rocking. I don’t really have a preference in clothing or cars. LS: Describe a typical day of training for you. What is most important in your workout?
NM: An ideal day of training for me is doing some sort of cardio, whether it is running or swimming, for an hour and then hitting the weights and doing a bunch of core strength for about another hour. The most important part of training for me is wrestling training. Getting in the ring and getting some good cardio done and working on my technique is key.

LS: How would you best describe your ring style?
NM: Aggressive. I do anything to get the job done. I don’t limit myself to a certain style of wrestling. I like to try my hand at everything.

LS: What moves are you best known for?
NM: Probably my Bridging Northern Lights and Fisherman Suplexes. Also, of course, my finisher, the Last Rites (aka Roll the Dice)

LS: Have you ever been injured in the ring?
NM: Other than bruises and cuts, nope. Knock on wood.

LS: Who have been your toughest opponents?
NM: That’d have to be Rebecca Knox, Ivory, and most definitely Veronika Vice.

LS: Who are your allies?
NM: Sid Sylum, and no one else.

LS: What has been your most memorable win?
NM: I haven’t had too many memorable wins so far, but one that stands out is in Squamish against Veronika, where I whipped her ass!

LS: What was your worst loss?
NM: When Ivory beat me in a 3 way match with Veronika Vice in it as well. I had her beat! I would have won the Supergirls Title if I pinned her....

LS: Who is the one wrestler you would most like to face in the ring, but haven’t yet?
NM: I take all comers, baby! It’d be a pleasure to wrestle any of the talented females floating around in North America .

LS: What type of match do you enjoy the most?
NM: Straight up one-on-one matches, though I do enjoy a great mixed tag, too. Mixing up with the guys is a great change in pace! The fans always enjoy it.

LS: What sort of reactions do you get from people when they learn you are a wrestler?
NM: Most of them don’t expect it, that’s for sure. Really, I couldn’t care less what people think of it. Most people don’t get it, and that’s cool. As long as you don’t criticize wrestling to me, we’ll be fine.

LS: What is so special about this sport to you?
NM: This is the main thing I watched as a kid. It was a childhood dream to be in there. What is better than living out your childhood dream? Also, since being in the sport, I’ve met so many good people and friends. It’s obviously not all sunshine and rainbows, but I’ve been really lucky in my wrestling experience so far, that’s for sure.

LS: What are your fans like?
NM: What fans?

LS: What is the one thing you would most like to change about the sport?
NM: The only thing I’d change is the amount of females. I really wish there was more competition, as I’m sure every female would say!

LS: If you had the power, what one thing would you do to improve the sport?
NM: More bookings for me! I love to travel! Take note, promoters worldwide!

LS: Where have you wrestled, and what titles have you held?
NM: Unfortunately, no titles yet, but I have worked for various companies, such as ECCW (my home promotion), VCW, HIW, IWM, PCW, AWA Pinnacle Wrestling, and PWA.

LS: What are your thoughts on women participating in the sport?
NM: I think it is great...assuming they are trained that is. I love women’s wrestling obviously, but it irks me when I turn on the TV and see girls “wrestling” who don’t know, pardon the cliché, a wristwatch from a wristlock. But it’s getting better now, especially on the independent scene. It is awesome to see so many great girls wrestling all over America and Canada . There are so many talented girls out there.

LS: Any regrets?
NM: Yeah, that burrito I had earlier....

LS: What would you do if you couldn’t be in wrestling?
NM: Pretty well what I’m doing now minus the actual wrestling part: going to university, working, and being a huge wrestling fan still.

LS: What is your personal motto?
NM: “The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.” It is such a true quote for everything in life. Thanks Socrates!

LS: What would make you most happy in life?
NM: Honestly, wrestling for as long as I can and being recognized as loving the sport and giving all I have to entertain the fans.

LS: Anything else you’d like to add?

NM: Check out www.eccw.com and my MySpace at myspace.com/nikkimatthews!