Lisa Marie is owner of The Squared Circle Restaurant in Chicago, IL. She is formerly known as TNA Knockout Tara & five-time TNA Knockouts Champion as well as an one-time TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion. She is a former two time WWE Women's Champion, Finishing move is the Widow's Peak, debuted on WWF as one of the Godfather's Ho's, has worked on all three WWE brands (RAW, ECW &a Smackdown). She departed from the WWE in January of 2009. Owned Black Widow Customs & Fat Tony's Pizzeria in Louisville, KY. Moved to Chicago, IL for for a few years & currently resides in southern California.
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This Sunday, February 12, Direct Auto Insurance presents “Against All Odds” live on Pay-Per-View and online around the world at TNAOnDemand.com! The epic event takes place from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
ImpactWrestling.com added 6 new photos to Tara’s Photo Gallery recently. They are 6 photos to her 40th photo set. Be sure to check out how stunning she looks in her Valentine’s Day Lingerie. You can check them out by clicking on the link above.
Well, in honor of Lisa Marie’s birthday being tomorrow, February 10th, I’ve updated the site with a brand new design!
We went from Cutenews to WordPress now. So you won’t be seeing anymore of those annoying error messages from Cutenews.
I’ve been working hard on getting all the pages moved over to WordPress and didn’t get as far as I hoped, but don’t worry, everything will be moved as soon as possible. So if some pages aren’t up yet, they will be soon, so just hang in there please.
TNA’s Tara: I want to be a Page 3 girl By Phil Allely
Published: January 18, 2012
She’s won championship belts in both WWE and TNA and is generally recognized as one of the best female wrestlers in history.
But there’s only one thing Tara really wants — to appear in The Sun.
In an exclusive interview to promote TNA’s upcoming UK Tour, Tara told SunSport: “I’d love to be a Page 3 Girl!
“I’ll pack my swimsuit for the tour and wait for you guys to call me.”
The brunette, who was known as Victoria in WWE, added: “I love the fact that the TNA Knockouts Division are making such a mark on wrestling fans and I appreciate the fact that many people tune in to see us sexy girls.
“I love that we get a lot more ring and interview time than other companies offer their ladies.
“I mean we get to main event TV tapings and house shows. I see the ratings and our segments are often the most watched parts of impact shows.”
Having started her career as a member of the Godfathers Ho Train, Tara can relate to the cynics who belittle the females who get high paid jobs in wrestling for their looks alone.
She said: “I was signed (to the WWE) with no wrestling experience, I was in the right place at the right time and my look and my fitness training background helped me get that job.
“I paid my dues though. I spent three years going to wrestling school, working my way around the indy and developmental leagues.
“You know I’d never bad mouth girls who have got an opportunity in this business without any in-ring ability.
“The big thing though is that they need to realize just how hard you have to work and bust your butt to get the recognition you deserve.”
After leaving WWE, many felt that Tara would head to TNA — but she said it wasn’t an obvious decision to her and that she considered retirement.
Looking back at that time, Tara revealed: “When I left the WWE I really did think that was it, I was through with wrestling.
“It seemed like I was not good enough to hold a title or get a good storyline anymore, but yet I was used as a tool to help new girls improve and gain confidence, I’d lost my interest.
“I knew about TNA and I first started watching it when Awesome Kong and Gail Kim started tearing the house down with their classic matches.
“It wasn’t until I spoke to them that I realized that the schedule would be so much easier on my body. TNA offered me a deal of no house shows and only TV tapings initially.
“I couldn’t resist that. I’m so glad now as I see the division being as hot today as the WWE glory days of myself, Trish, Lita and Mickie.”
The upcoming TNA UK tour is poised to be the biggest yet for the company, with Sting and Hulk Hogan confirmed for the shows. Tara is excited about rubbing shoulders with the legends.
She said: “The fans are so amazing in the UK, we get engulfed in their enthusiasm and it makes us work harder too.
“We’ll be having fun out there and with Mickie James, Gail Kim, Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky there we are sure to have some great matches.
“It’s unbelievable to think of how successful we are as a brand in the UK, you know we were always compared to the WWE, but we are not the same and never have been.
“I think we are really standing out as ourselves now.”
TNA wrestling prepares for Impact in Plymouth By David Wolcott
Wicked Local Plymouth
Posted December 31, 2011 @ 10:00 AM
PLYMOUTH — For someone who has played a person teetering on the edge of insanity for large parts of her career as a professional wrestler, it’d be hard to imagine a person more grounded than Lisa Marie Varon.
No arrests or stints in a rehabilitation facility for her, Varon, better known as TNA Knockout Tara, will bring her brand of controlled insanity to Memorial Hall when Total Nonstop Action Wrestling presents the TNA Impact Wrestling World Tour in Plymouth Saturday, Jan. 21.
“I guess I’m just a lucky girl who eats, breathes and sleeps professional wrestling,” Tara joked during a recent phone interview. “But really, the reason I’m so grounded is I truly love what I do with all of my heart. I’ve had a passion for this business forever, and that’s what still drives me today. I absolutely love what I do, and I want to be able to enjoy every single second of it.”
Tara, 40, is one of the few female wrestlers who’s made a rather lengthy career for herself in the business. While not in the veteran realm of Mae Young or the Fabulous Moolah quite yet, 12 years in the business does make her a true veteran of the sport.
“The average female wrestler is in the business for maybe five or six years, but like I said before, I really love what I do,” she explained. “When my music hits, I cannot believe or explain the rush I still get from the crowd every time I walk through the curtain. It absolutely still sends a jolt right through me.”
“The good thing is I’ve been able to save my money and start to look at what life’s going to be after my wrestling days are over,” added Tara, who recently opened a restaurant in Chicago with her husband. “I love this life, and it’s still so much fun for me, but I’ll know when the time is right to step away.”
And, fortunately, that time has not yet arrived.
“I love working with TNA,” Tara said. “The events are so much more than just a wrestling match. I love the fact that we really get the chance to get out there and meet with the fans. The TNA events are very family-friendly, and we try the best we can to make every card a special event for the fans that pay their money to see us.”
Born and raised in California, Tara was an All-American cheerleader in high school before moving on to study biology at UCLA. She entered some fitness competitions, and that’s where she caught the eye of former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) divas Chyna and Torrie Wilson, who thought Tara had the athletic ability and the attitude to make it as a professional wrestler.
A fan of the sport, she decided to follow their advice and give pro wrestling a try. She started her training in California in 2000, eventually picking up a developmental contract with WWE and moving her training base to Memphis and then Louisville. She got the call to join the WWE full-time in June of 2002 and made the most of her opportunity, famously feuding with Trish Stratus, Molly Holly and Gail Kim among others on the way to winning two WWE titles.
She eventually parted ways with WWE and made her debut in TNA, where she has been ladies champion several times, most recently holding world tag-team titles with Brooke Tessmacher.
“I’m still having a great time in the business, and, knock on wood, besides a torn elbow and a torn ACL, I’ve been pretty healthy over the years,” Tara said. “I’ve been lucky to remain fairly healthy for most of my career.”
At this point, Tara is not only keeping her own career going, she’s also trying to impart what she’s learned to the next generation of women wrestlers.
“Brooke is getting better in the ring every day,” Tara said about her tag-team partner, who she will team up with in Plymouth to take on the tag team of Rosita and Sarita. “Someone I really like is Rosita. She’s so young, but you watch her in the ring and you can see how far she’s come in such a short period of time. Check back in three or four years, and with that much more experience, she’s going to be something special to watch.”
Saturday night, Lisa Marie added two new videos to her official YouTube page. The first one features her and Brooke Adams and the second gives us a sneak video peak at an upcoming photoshoot that will be released on ImpactWrestling.com. Check out both videos above.
On September 10th, Lisa Marie added her second video blog to her official YouTube page. She took time to clarify about her first video and answered a few more questions. You can video the video above or read the transcript by reading below.
Lisa Marie Varon Video Blog 2 – September 10, 2011
Lemme start off with an apology, because I insulted a couple people on my last YouTube video.
I hope you guys know I was kidding when I said Chavo Guerrero was hired because he was ugly, by WWE. Chavo comes from one of the greatest wrestling families in the business, and obviously, Chavo got hired because he’s a great wrestler. And Tommy Dreamer, is a hardcore wrestling legend. He ruled ECW, and it was a pleasure and an honor to work with him in TNA and WWE. So when I said Tommy tongue-kisses sailors, on a pier, for rent money… it’s not true. Tommy tongue-kisses sailors, for fun. Now, on with our questions…
Every year PWI Magazine ranks the top fifty female wrestlers, I was ranked number eight, and a lot of you have asked me what my thoughts are on it. I’ll tell you what I think, I think it’s seven spots too low. I think I should be #1. But I also think any female wrestler who works hard, at her craft, and believes in her abilities, should think that she should be #1.
ODB was ranked, #32. That’s because I’m four times better than her. I’m just kidding. ODB was ranked #32, and I think you can make a case for her… being #1. She is a great wrestler.
So an independent worker named Madison Eagles, was ranked #1, and I tweeted her “If I see you on the street, it’s go time.” Just kidding. I tweeted her “congratulations.”
When I was younger, I used to fire off angry emails at PWI if I wasn’t ranked #1. As I matured, I realized the ranking was subjective, and it’s an honor to be included in the mix. So, I think, I should be #1, but any girl on the list that doesn’t think she should be #1, needs to be in a different business.
I have a question from YouTube: “Before you go into a wrestling match, what steps do you take to ensure your own physical safety and that of your opponent?”
How do I ensure my own physical safety? I’ve trained twelve years in this business, I have a rigorous weight training regimen, I stretch and warm up well before each match, and I say a little prayer, before I go to the ring. How do I ensure the safety of my opponent? It’s simple. I give ’em the opportunity, not to step in the ring with me.
I have a question on Twitter: “Where is your favorite place to perform?”
I have been in hundreds of cities, on five continents, and that’s an easy answer. Madison Square Garden. It’s historic, it’s a loud building, and the fans are great. My father went to Madison Square Garden when he was a kid. I won my first WWE championship, in Madison Square Garden. The Godfather put me through my first table, at Madison Square Garden. And hands down… that is my favorite place, my #1… place to perform.
I have a question from Jeff on Facebook: “I am a teacher in the Chicago public schools, I see that you live in Chicago now. Will you stop by my class and talk about the importance of education?”
Jeff, send me the contact information for the school, if it’s legitimate, I’ll be there next week. Actually… I’m wrestling most of next week, I will be there… the following week.
Special Thank You to The Salesman for writing the transcript for the video!
On September 2nd, Lisa Marie added her first Question & Answer video to her official YouTube page. She took questions from fans and answered 5 of them. You can video the video above or read the transcript by reading below.
5 Questions with Lisa Marie Varon aka Tara from Impact Wrestling – YouTube Video Blog September 2, 2011
The first question is from subzerowarrior1, from YouTube. “What would be your dream wrestling match, and who would you like to compete against?”
Well I was really excited when Chyna came to TNA, I’ve always wanted to face her. She’s a legend in our business. Unfortunately she’s no longer with us, and I don’t see her participating in wrestling any time in the future, and I practically have faced everyone that is out there, except Eve, Eve Torres. We’re pretty good friends, and you’re question is “which opponent would you like to compete against?” and what would my dream match be? Well, it kinda wouldn’t matter, because the end result with Eve, is her, tapping out.
Next question is from Stratusfied88, from YouTube: Have you ever faced anyone that was unprofessional in the ring, someone maybe didn’t let you shine, or someone being wrong-kind of rough? If so, how have you handled those situations?
Yes I have. It was back in OVW, Ohio Valley Wrestling, and was one of my first singles matches. She was being especially.. aggressive, in the ring. Ah.. got out of character, got up, punched her in the face, went back to wrestling, finished the match. Thought I was gonna be in.. big trouble when I got backstage, um.. went through the curtain, everybody high-fived me.. and, I honestly think it was a test to see.. how much of a pushover I can be in the ring. And you know what? This girl’s not a pushover, so.. handled it my own way.
The next question is from Niko, from MySpace: What profession would you like to attempt, and what profession would you not like to attempt?
I can really see my.. self involved in politics, in the future. I think I have a great personality for it, and I realize how important it is to be involved in our community. Which profession would I not like to attempt is, a window washer. Cause I am deathly afraid of heights.
Next question is from Estelle MaiVia Drizzy from Facebook: What was the reaction of your parents when you told them you wanted to be a pro wrestler?
The reaction was “Oh no, what is she getting herself into now?” Basically. I was pre-med in college, and every parent’s dream was that one of their kids become a doctor. And I think when I told ’em I want to be a pro wrestler, it wasn’t a good “substitute”. But, they are my biggest fans now, and they’re very proud of me, and guess what? I’m a doctor of destruction.
Next question is from Twitter, NathanImvAngels: How do you become a wrestler?
This one’s a toughy, cause there’s really no.. right answer, right way, to get to the business. Um, some people work really hard in the independent wrestling circuit, for years. Um, some people are just approached, because they have a.. the right look. Some people go to wrestling school. And some people are just sooo physically unattractive, that WWE.. takes pity on them, and hires them anyways, Chavo Guerrero. Um, but the important thing is, is to have something to fall back on. I always preach education. You never know how long your career’s gonna last in this. Some people make it really big in this career, uh, some people.. don’t make it to the big leagues. Some people are cut short, due to injuries, you never know. Um, but it’s important to have options. Uh, you don’t wanna end up on.. on a pier, tongue-kissing sailors for fifty cents a pop, just to pay rent, Tommy Dreamer.
Special Thank You to The Salesman for writing the transcript for the video!
ImpactWrestling.com added some new photos of Tara lately. There are two photos from her Title Shoot with Ms. Tessmacher and there are five photos of Tara sporting her Chicago Cubs baseball gear. All the photos are stunning, so be sure to check them out in the gallery by clicking on the links above. Enjoy!
Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Tara and Miss Tessmacher. They cut a promo about their upcoming match. Mexican America come out first.
Knockouts Tag Team Title Match
– Tara & Ms. Tessmacher (c) vs. Rosita & Sarita
It’s Tara and Rosita working in the ring. Rosita hits a hurricanrana on Tara but walks into a boot off a counter. Rosita rolls Tara out of the ring and gets involved with Miss Tessmacher. Rosita finally tags in Sarita. Lots of tagging by the women of Mexican America. Miss Tessmacher and Sarita.
Tessmacher tags in Tara and she goes after Sarita, bringing her down to the mat. Rosita gets in and makes the save. Tara and Sarita are in the ring with Miss Tessmacher wanting a tag. Rosita is lurking on the outside. She pulls Tessmacher off the apron. Rosita gets on the apron and kicks Tara in the face. Sarita throws Tara down and tags in Sarita.
Tara and Rosita are the legal Knockouts. Tara attempts Widow’s Peak but Rosita rolls through and has leverage from Sarita from the apron. They break it up and Tara ends up press slamming Rosita. Rosita counters and goes to make tag but Miss Tessmacher throws Sarita off the apron.
Back in the ring, Tara hits Widow’s Peak on Rosita and follows it with the pinfall.
Winners & still Knockout Tag Team Champions: Tara & Miss Tessmacher
If you are a follower of Lisa Marie on her Official Twitter Page, you know tonight she is participating in the Chicago 5K Undie Dash. I added a photo of her at the event to the gallery and you can view it by clicking on the link above. Enjoy!
Winter’s music plays as she comes out. Angelina Love is at her side. As they are in the ring, Tara rides out on the motorcycle. Ms. Tessmacher is riding behind her. They get to the ring as they are TNA Knockout Tag Team Champs.
As Winter and Tara are in the ring, Earl Hebner sends Angelina Love and Ms. Tessmacher away as he wants a fair one on one match.
Winter vs. Tara
As Earl is still outside, Winter and Tara go at it. Earl gets in the ring and now the fight is on. Winter goes after Tara as she whips her in the corner. Winter runs to her, but Tara slides around. Tara is in control for a tad, but Winter comes back with the power and force. She does a neckbreaker to Tara and then works on the back. She drops knees right to Tara’s lower back. She then grabs her arms back, but Tara gets up and fights Winter off. Winter comes back and hits a huge backbreaker. She covers, but Tara kicks out. Winter now gets on Tara and does multiple punches and then a choke. Winter gets up and goes back to Tara, but Tara punches Winter in the gut. She then gets to her feet and hits her in the head and then whips her in the ropes. She knocks Winter down with clotheslin eafter clothesline. She then does her standing moonsault. Tara gets Winter up to finish it. She goes for the Widow’s Peak… but Winter slides out of it. She then grabs Tara up, but Tara slides out. The referee is pushed and Winter low blows Tara. She then gets Tara up and spins her around for a spinning side slam.
Winner: Winter
The camera changes to Ms. Tessmacher and Tara are backstage. As they are walking to the ring, Rosita and Sarita run up from behind and attack them.
– Commercial
The show returns and the brawl is still going on. They are all fighting backstage as no one is stopping them. Rosita is going after Tara and Sarita is after Tessmacher. Just then, Madison Rayne comes in the shot and she is going after Tara. Referees now come and try to break up the fight.
– Later in the show
Ms. Tessmacher and Tara vs. Sarita and Rosita, Champs, for the Knockout Tag Team Titles
Tara and Tessmacher come out first and hide around the side of the stage. As Sarita and Rosita come out, Tessmacher and Tara come out and attack the both of them on stage. They brawl all the way down the ramp and then they get in the ring. The bell sounds.
Tara and Rosita start out the match as Rosita hits Tara with a jawbreaker. As they fight, Sarita and Tessmacher are fighting in the ring. Tara gets knocked out of the ring. Rosita is in the ring and she is attacking Tessmacher. Rosita puts Tessmacher in her corner and she tags in Sarita. She comes in and keeps the momentum going as she attacks Tessmacher. She then tags Rosita back in and she continues the assault. Tessmacher tries to crawl away, but Rosita punches her right in the head. As Tara gets on the apron, Sarita gets in the ring and kicks Tara right down. As Rosita continues the assault on Tessmacher, Tara gets back on the apron. Sarita comes in and knocks her off again. Tara then comes in as she is furious. The referee yells at her to get out. Rosita tags in Sarita and they do a double team move to Tessmacher. Tara then comes in and knocks both of them down. She drags her partner to the corner. Tara gets on the apron and tags herself in. She gets in and goes after both of them. She then gets Sarita up for the widow’s peak. As she has her up, Madison Rayne sneaks in and attacks Tara as the referee is dealing with Rosita and Tessmacher in the corner. Sarita calls over the ref. She counts but it’s only a two. Tara and Tessmacher come back as Tara pins Sarita and they win!
Winner and New Knockout Tag Team Champs: Ms. Tessmacher and Tara
They celebrate in the ring as Sarita and Rosita leave.
Monday Night Mayhem’s Exclusive Interview With Impact Wrestling’s Tara (TNA BaseBrawl: Buffalo, NY) Transcript
The Big Mosh: Members of Mayhem Nation, the Summer of Mayhem 2011 continues. We are indeed live, well not necessarily live from Coca Cola Field getting ready for TNA’s BaseBrawl. Talk about an intimate setting with former TNA Knockouts Champion Tara joining us right here right now. Mayhem Nation you know that you want to be me. Tara we appreciate you reserving some time for the Mayhem Nation.
Tara: Absolutely, no problem.
TBM: How are you?
Tara: I’m great. I’m excited. I’m.. First time I’ve ever done this kinda, show.. I think.
TBM: I was just going to mention you’ve of course been to Buffalo many times with your time in the WWE.. coming back to western New York, the fans here, what’s it like for you?
Tara: It’s.. It’s awesome, I feel like um, it’s weird cause I’ve never taken a long break, from wrestling. My longest was my three month…? stint.. ? away, when I retired. Well, not retired.. my last match. And uh, I feel still like it’s.. just I’m on tour for twelve whole years, I’ve been touring. But it’s always exciting going back because.. you always remember certain people.. do you know what I mean?
TBM: Absolutely.
Tara: And the arenas and locker room. But I don’t remember this, have I performed here before?
TBM: I don’t believe so. Probably across the street at the HBCS Arena a couple times..
Tara: Yeah, I know that, yeah yeah.. I know that, I know that. But it’s great, always great to see our fans back here in New York.
TBM: Now to be able to get back to your fans again..
Tara: Buffalo, New York…
TBM: ..a chance to have that.. to have that intimate setting…
Tara: Yeah! That’s pretty cool. Isn’t it?
TBM: Absolutely.
Tara: Did you go out there and see it?
TBM: Fantastic. Just saying was great.
Tara: Amazing. I mean.. it’s gonna.. it’s gonna be very fan.. we’re always fan friendly. That’s what the difference here.. which I noticed, the difference, we’re so like kinda.. in contact with everyone. Very.. like.. family oriented, fan interaction.. to the core. But uh.. this gonna be a really intimate.. moment and um, I love baseball too, and it’s.. anything to do with baseball, to be on the field, anything.. you get that excitement. I don’t know about you, but I…
TBM: Without a doubt.
Tara: I do. I do, big time. So, I’m super excited about this. And I’m facing uh, Winter.. tonight. And we’ve never.. had a singles match together. This is the first time her and I ever have a match together.. you know.. and it’s on a.. house show. (laughs)
TBM: We had a chance…
Tara: Via BaseBrawl..
TBM: We had a chance to interview Winter a couple weeks ago and she was adamant about.. not only working with you but getting her shot at the Knockouts Championship. Now one of the things I always admired about you is the fact that.. back.. many years ago you had that.. that knee injury if I’m not mistaken..
Tara: Yeah.
TBM: ..and you just.. you just continue just to gut it out, so what does it say about your.. your.. your.. your intestinal fortitude just.. just really gutting through something like that.
Tara: You know I think it’s craziness honestly. I, when I tore it I thought, you know.. I remember snapping it, I heard it snap and stuff like that, but I don’t have pain, in it, to be honest with you. It doesn’t hurt, at the moment.. I had to wear the brace, to prevent certain angles.. You know, steel cage match, Mickie James, I tore my ligament here (elbow), was gonna pursue MMA but.. the doctor, you know.. I need Tommy John surgery, eventually, but I’m gonna try not to get.. it. I just don’t want arthritis and stuff like this, and Stone Cold Steve Austin was the one that told me don’t get surgery, it ends up getting worse sometimes with arthritis. So I kinda feel a little badass with my knee brace, like Stone Cold..
TBM: (laughs)
Tara: .. so I’m like kinda going “Yeah, I’m a vet” you know, that kinda thing? It’s kinda.. I don’t know, I’m goofy like that.
TBM: Now of course going into the summer, Destination X just a couple of weeks away, after that is Hardcore Justice. All the Knockouts it seems has got their eyes on the gold, you’ve of course had your problems with Mickie James, would you really want to tell the fans out there, especially the Mayhem Nation, really what they can expect from you during the course of the summer? Some gold around your waist could be really nice.
Tara: I’m hoping that, I’m hoping that. You know, we are friends, we get along now, but she does know that I’m looking at her belt and she has to watch her back on that. I’m looking forward.. I hope to have another… match with her, she’s very fun to work. Her and I are.. hardcore big time, uh.. it’s.. we are sore after a match, it’s just… But anything for the fans, to entertain. You wanna make it as entertaining as possible and her and I have an agreement, uh.. we’re gonna kill each other out there. You know what I mean? So…
TBM: Lastly, if you can share with our viewing and listening audience especially the comradery that you’ve had with Trish Stratus, Mickie James and.. and Winter, sounds like you had a hell of a weekend…
Tara: We did! We did.
TBM: .. up in the Toronto area. What does it really say about, you know.. that people in the WWE, TNA they can still get along. Just the relationships that you’ve bonded and formed over many years…
Tara: It’s weird that you mention that, because.. Trish came to the Toronto show, she just hung out backstage to watch out match, and um.. we’re driving back and I go “This is so cool how, how awesome it is that we can have friends…”
The Pope: (off camera) Hello everybody!
Tara: ‘Ellooo!
TBM: And there’s The Pope ladies and gentlemen.
Tara: The Pope daddy-o!
TBM: You never know what to expect on The Mayhem.
Tara: You never know.. and he was my travel partner in Louisville. So uh, we’re pretty tight. But uh, we were saying how.. it’s just awesome that we can walk away.. and still make, you know have really really tight, close friends. And um, you know Tommy Dreamer always told me you’re lucky to leave this business with more than five friends. You know what I mean? You’re lucky, usually you end up not keeping contact and stuff like that. And uh.. it’s super.. it’s awesome that.. you know, when we do see each other it’s like we haven’t left. You know like those high school friends you were really tight with..
TBM: You just pick up where you left off.
Tara: Exactly. And we’ve been having a great great weekend. And um, gonna keep an eye on Winter cause she’s kinda strange one.
TBM: (laughs)
Tara: So um, it was really odd. Last night we did something really cool in Toronto, and we went to a Greek festival, um.. well Greek, we went to Greek Town, had a Greek meal.
TBM: Okay.
Tara: Nutritious Greek, and went to this bar that opened at 1, and they had performers. It’s all Greek, people did.. all Greek. And we danced.. it was unbelievable. I had an amazing time, and it’s really.. we don’t get to do that on the road. I mean it’s go go go, what our lifestyle is. You perform, get in the car, head to the next town, lucky to get a meal, you know, something that’s open.. you know wake up in the morning, get a gym.. you know go to the gym, freakin’.. it’s just a routine. And it’s nice to be able to get out of that routine.. once in a while. You know it’s not all glamorous, you know that…
TBM: Absolutely.
Tara: and um.. it’s.. it’s awesome. And I’m.. pretty close with Trish, I mean that’s a friend I’ll be.. we’ll be the Mae and Moolah of the future. (laughs)
TBM: From.. and from the way things are sounding.. in ring, outta the ring, retirement.. not even crossed your mind in any way, shape or form?
Tara: No, and I never, ever.. WWE put the label that I was retiring, and that wasn’t my.. you never say never in the business. You never know when you’re gonna come back for a special appearance, and I hate that when people say that when people say “I’m retiring” and they end up coming back. Um, I made sure in my last match, if you watch my last match at WWE, I said it was my last match “in WWE”.
TBM: Mmhmm.
Tara: And uh, I never.. I always watched TNA, I was a big Kong fan.. and Gail Kim, you know, their feud, that’s when I started really watching the product. And uh.. I planned on being a little off of.. from wrestling for a while, longer than when I was and um, they called me and I said I don’t know if I can do that travel anymore, and I wanna be with my family, uh.. it was my families turn. I mean you miss a lot, people are like “Oh I wanna wrestle, I wanna wrestle” they don’t know what you give up. You give up a lot of family time, you know.. anniversaries, deaths in the family. It’s just this.. it’s really hard, grueling life and I said “I don’t think I’m ready to come back”, and they said “Well, we have a really easy schedule.” And I was like “Well let me think about it” but I needed to give them a decision, in four hours..
TBM: Wow.
Tara: And um.. talked to my family about it, and I was like “I think I wanna do it one more year”, then another year, and then I.. just re-signed another year. So um.. I do year to year, because um, I’m 40.. and you never know..
TBM: You don’t look it.
Tara: Thank you.
TBM: She doesn’t look it. Absolutely not.
Tara: I think I don’t act it, that’s the key.
TBM: That’s the point, I guess.
Tara: But um.. you never know when your body is gonna give out, I.. I don’t wanna be that.. that female wrestler that, well you feel sorry for me coming down the ramp. I still wanna be that badass.. ass kicker, you know.. wrestler, and.. I wanna be true to my art. I don’t wanna be.. felt sorry for?
TBM: Uh huh.
Tara: So.. that’s why I do year to year. You never know what’s.. what injuries are gonna occur, you know?
TBM: Very true.
Tara: It’s safety. I’m.. I’m not.. I’m not that one to go “You have to lock me up for five years”, you know? If I’m happy.. I’m gonna re-sign again. You know what I mean.
TBM: Absolutely.
Tara: I’m not that high maintenance of a person. I don’t think.
TBM: You can see Tara and all of the rest of the Knockouts of Impact Wrestling every Thursday on Spike TV and 9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central and Destination X on Sunday, July the 10th, call your local cable or satellite provider for availability ah.. enjoy the rest of your time in Buffalo.
Tara: I will, and if you guys every want to chit chat I’m “@REALLiSAMARiE” on Twitter. So, tweet me. Tweet tweet tweet.
Exclusive videos of the IMPACT WRESTLING stars talking about why Wrestling Matters To Them. From a personal and professional point of view, each star will discuss what drives their passion and dedication for the sport of wrestling. The above video is Why Wrestling Matters to Tara.
Angelina Love & Winter vs Knockouts Champion Mickie James & Tara
Winter and Tara start out the match. Winter controls with an armbar but Tara reverses out and tags Mickie in, who hits a top rope double axhandle and catches a short armscissors to get a two count. Tara is in and hits a double back elbow with Mickie, and Winter tags Angelina in. Angelina points at Mickie, but Tara decks her and hits a spinning side suplex, then tags Mickie in and they do a double team wheelbarrow splash for a two count. Angelina no-sells the maneuver and tags in Winter, but Mickie gets a modified armdrag into a two count and goes for her headscissors out of the corner. Angelina grabs her coming off the ropes and Winter powerbombs Mickie for two. Mickie tries to fight her way out of the corner, Winter yanks her down by the hair, but Mickie wipes both Winter and Angelina out with a neckbreaker/dropkick combo. Madison Rayne comes out and yanks Tara off the apron and rams her into the ring steps, and Angelina gets a neckbreaker over the knees and pins Mickie.
TNAWrestling.com added 5 new photos of Tara. The photos are a St. Patrick’s Day theme and she poses with SoCal Val in a few. You can check them out by clicking on the link above.
