Published: 12:30 AM, Fri Feb 01, 2013
TNA Impact: Big names won’t be holding back for show at the Crown
By Brian Dukes, Staff writer
If you’re wavering on whether to get tickets to the Saturday, Feb. 2 TNA Impact Wrestling show at the Crown Arena, there are three words you should consider: Steel. Cage. Match.
TNA is bringing its Road to Lockdown Tour to Fayetteville, and the action will be amplified by the use a 15-foot reinforced steel cage. Wrestlers slated to battle it out include Austin Aries, the “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, Bully Ray, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Hernandez and TNA Knockouts champion Tara, who will take on Velvet Sky.
The tour leads up to TNA’s Lockdown, a popular annual pay-per-view program that will air March 10.
“Until then,” said Lisa Marie Varon, better known by her wrestling name, Tara, “You never know what’s going to happen.”
The show starts at 7 p.m. with an autograph session at 5:30 p.m. for those who bought $75 tickets. A “Gut Check” seminar is earlier in the day but is open only to those who registered by Monday.
Hardy, a North Carolina native, is the current TNA World Heavyweight champion. He said fans can always expect surprises.
“It’s going to be a great show, and it’s going to be great being back home,” said Hardy, originally from Cameron.
Weekender caught up with Tara and Hardy by phone in Orlando, where the two were taping a different wrestling show. During a break, the pair spoke about the Saturday, Feb. 2 show, their lives and their upcoming projects.
Weekender: What can fans expect when TNA comes to town?
Tara: We’ve got a great lineup. My best friend – Chavo Guerrero – will be there. And one thing I really love about TNA is that we can play toward the crowd more, and we’ll do autograph sessions before the show and interact with the fans a lot. That’s really unheard of in this industry.
Hardy: We go out here every night and are able to spend time with the fans, and that’s what so special with TNA. We try to give back a lot to the fans.
Weekender: Tara, how are you approaching your match against Velvet Sky?
Tara: I know she’s been off a bit from time away, but she’s been brushing up. She’s feisty in the ring, so you never know what to expect, but I’m prepared and excited about the match.
Weekender: If you could pick anyone to wrestle against from all time, who would that be?
Tara: For a female opponent, I’d pick Madusa. She’s a legend. For a male opponent, there’s too many. Maybe Sting. He’s a legend, and he’s hot, too. I’m not gonna deny that.
Hardy: Yeah, Sting’s a legend. I remember seeing him when I was 10 years old.
Weekender: Jeff, how often are you able to return to North Carolina, and are there any spots you’re looking forward to visiting?
Hardy: I’m so excited to be back at the Crown. I’ve had some great matches there, and it’s always nice to be 30 minutes from home. My career is busier now with TNA, but I’m home a lot more than I would be otherwise, and that’s really important to me now that I have a 2-year-old. TNA understands the importance of family, and I love Cameron.
Weekender: Tara, what are the challenges of being a female wrestler in a world that’s male-dominated?
Tara: It’s a tough industry, and I’m not complaining. It just takes a certain person to handle this life. You don’t cry. Ever. There’s no crying in wrestling. You don’t cry over broken nails. We want to be respected by the guys, our co-workers and the boss. If you hurt yourself, you walk it off, and we also have to look sexy all the time. You have to look the part, eat right, get rest, look hot and still punch each other in the face. It’s tough.
Hardy: It’s always great to see the Knockouts. They beat each other up worse than the guys do. Hands down, they’re vicious.
Tara: That’s true.
Weekender: What’s the best part of your job?
Tara: I get to fight and entertain in sexy clothes. I get to travel the world and meet the most amazing people who become your family – because you don’t get to see your real family that much.
Hardy: Wrestling has opened up a lot of doors, creatively, for me. I have my photography, my art, my music. Wrestling’s allowed me to live so many dreams.
Weekender: What’s next for you?
Tara: I’m opening the Squared Circle Pizzeria & Burgers restaurant in Chicago. I’m taking part in a new documentary called “Tarafied” by director Matt Goldberg, and I’m thinking about taking an improv class.
Hardy: I’m loving fatherhood right now. I also recently went to Nashville and recorded three more songs for my band (Peroxwhy?gen). I don’t just sing in the basement now – I’m learning so much about breathing and singing, and it’s just amazing. I’m crazy excited to share my music.
TNA IMPACT
When: Saturday, Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Crown Arena
Tickets: $8 to $75. Early-entry autograph session is at 5:30 p.m. for fans who buy $75 tickets.
Information: atthecrown.com
