LadySports ::: RACHEL SUMMERLYN

by S. Mata

Rachel Summerlyn is leaving an impression on the sport... and not only with her fist on her opponents' faces!

The 21 year old Austin, Texas native is not one to shy away from a challenge; indeed, she seems to seek them out. Take, for example, the fact that she accepted as her very first professional match a battle with Vanessa Kraven in the IWA-Mid South "Queen of the Deathmatches" tournament last November... in a Thumbtack Match! What's more, Rachel beat Kraven, and then went on to face one of the most accomplished brawlers in all of women's wrestling, Mickie Knuckles. Defying the odds, Rachel took the much more experienced Mickie to the wall in that one, before finally going down to defeat. But the fact that she did as well as she did instantly established her name as one to pay attention to.

Of course, then she went and changed her name. You see, she originally wrestled under her family name of Rachel Putski, but for a variety of reasons later decided to adopt the new ring surname of Summerlyn. But names are unimportant... what matters is the woman behind them.

The blond battler tells a familiar story when relating how she got into the business. Like a great many wrestlers, she loved the sport since childhood. "I was surrounded by the sport as a child. I constantly went to shows and watched it as I grew up. When I was about 19, I began valeting and slowly worked my way into wrestling matches."

"Inspiration-wise, Sherri Martel was an amazing valet, manager, wrestler and everything else. She could do it all, and she did it all very well. She was one-of-a-kind. She's the reason, I guess you could say, why I got into this business. Sherri, along with my love for it."

But unlike some valets who are content to involve themselves minimally from ringside, Rachel threw herself into learning the intricacies of the sport. "A lot of people have had their hands in my training. Darin Childs and Jacob Ladder have helped me tremendously. as have Ian Rotten, Mickie Knuckles, and many others." The end result is that when she steps between the ropes, she knows exactly how to handler herself.

And what she does best is giving intricate technical moves a hardcore flavor that makes them all her own. She has a trio of signature moves that are a sign not only of her skill, but also her ferociousness: "I do an Implant DDT off of the ropes, which I call the 'Toxic Shock Syndrome"... a modified Downward Spiral called 'Floor Tomed'... and a Texas Cloverleaf named 'Summerlyn Out'."

That first night in the ring provided what have thus far proven to be her most memorable victory and loss. Beating Kraven in the Thumbtack Match was a thrilling highlight, of course, while losing to Knuckles later that same evening in a Taipei Deathmatch remains her most stinging defeat. Not surprisingly, she lists both Mickie and Vanessa as among the opponents she respects the most.

Another woman she is most anxious to battle is MsChif... but not just yet. "I want to face her someday, she's fantastic" the blond says. "But I'm just not good enough yet." Which is why Rachel has continued to train hard and to wrestle often, honing her skills in preparation for the day when she will look across the ring and see the self-professed 'Soul's Tormentor' staring back at her. One thing is for certain: The result of that match is doubtless going to take its place as either Summerlyn's most memorable win or loss in her memory.

Until that day comes, however, she adds that she'd love to have the opportunity to wrestle Lacey sometime. She already has a recent match against Daffney to her credit.

Given the extreme measures she will go to in a match, it comes as no surprise that Rachel has suffered her fair share of bumps and bruises. "The worst injury I have sustained in the ring is a concussion, so I have been lucky so far!" Of course, many would say that it isn't luck, but rather excellent training which has helped her avoid anything too serious thus far.

Yet despite her violent reputation, Summerlyn says that the matches she enjoys the most are simple one-on-one bouts. Indeed, her reputation may be a bit overstated, as away from the ring, she's so friendly, it comes as a shock to people when they learn that such a proper, pleasant young woman could ever be a professional wrestler!

In the ring wars, Rachel doesn't stand alone, as she as steadfast allies to watch her back: "My most totally seaworthy band, Kissyboots... consisting of Skylar Skelly, Chesty LaRue, Starr Babaganoush, and our trusted roadie, Drew Lucid!" Indeed, it was with Skylar... her "partner-in-crime"... that she has held the ACW tag Championship.

And although she professes to love her fans in Anarchy Championship Wrestling the most, she doesn't limit herself to just one organization. "I've also wrestled for Pro Wrestling Evolution, and of course IWA-Mid South. I've traveled to a lot of places."

Having worked so hard to make a place for herself in wrestling, and having literally bled to prove her worth as a wrestler, it comes as no surprise that Rachel has some strong opinions on the issue of women in the sport. "Of course I think that women should participate. But if you are going to participate... PARTICIPATE! Don't just go in the ring in a pair of bra and panties and roll around and call yourself a wrestler. Don't get me wrong... there is a place for T&A in wrestling, and it's okay to show some skin, but at least WRESTLE!"

At the end of the day, when she's battered and bruised and licking her wounds, Rachel could perhaps be forgiven for having second thoughts about pursuing this career. But she makes it plain, when asked if she has any regrets whatsoever, that her firm feeling is: "NONE!"

Given the drive and intensity and devotion which this young woman possesses, we think it's fair to say that MsChif... and many other women in the sport... may just want to start keeping one eye open over their shoulders, because Rachel Summerlyn is bearing down on them... !

pics courtesy of Rachel