Taeler Hendrix did a recent interview with The Greg DeMarco Show. She addressed her TNA release, the latest feedback from Dixie Carter, her thoughts on some current Knockouts, the mood in OVW, her upcoming return to Shine Wrestling, her most recent cancer scare and more:
On her release from TNA: It was kind of a whirlwind … a long time in the making … I was super-duper unhappy … the All-American Dream … BAM! Hit in the face! It’s not happening girl, wake up! I got papers in the mail to re-sign for another year in developmental at OVW for TNA … Before I could tell them that I wouldn’t re-sign, I got the call the day before my contract expired to tell me I was released. … Maybe they can use that spot for someone they actually know what they want to do with. … I’m not offended—I’m a lot happier.
On if the mood in OVW has changed since the recent releases: Yes, actually. Now that I’m not signed anymore, I think I’m enjoying it more—from an OVW standpoint. … It’s home… There’s wrestling every single week, you can’t get more work than that. … I am loving my character right now, she’s awesome. … She’s like that girl we all hated in high school. … A lot of people who were released, they’re gone.
On Dixie Carter: I do have my qualms. Don’t tell me on my birthday that I’m “heavy” to be on TV. … I’m a size 3, that’s not fat at all! … I’m a role model for young girls, there’s nothing plastic about me. … (On her size a year prior) I was too skinny! … I got really skinny just to get on television. … Someone said I looked like a skeleton, and then I started looking at my pictures and I was like “Oh my God, I really do!”… I’m taller than [most female wrestlers] but I’m not bigger than them.
On her latest cancer scare: On top of that, my cancer stuff came back. … I had no choice to gain weight, and I’m really happy that I did. … What I’m battling right now is cervical cancer—and when I say battling I mean I’m trying to not get it. … I wasn’t setting a good example. … I felt like I was a hypocrite. … I would rather be healthy and stay cancer free.
On Velvet Sky: She has found a way to stick it out … and she was released at one point. … Velvet Sky is money. … And if I have someone who makes me money, I’m going to keep them around. … She’s not the best wrestler in the world, but neither am I. … She makes money. … Velvet Sky has some of the most loyal fans in the world. … She has a great personality, in ring and out. … And you know what? She’s gotten much better. … I’m a fan—she can keep letting the pigeons loose. … That girl’s a hot commodity.
In addition, Taeler also discusses the internet’s reaction to her release, her upcoming bookings for Shine Wrestling, how she keeps finding family in wrestling, her goals outside of the wrestling business and much more.
This interview included Su Yung sharing the details of her Dragon Gate USA debut as Anthony Nese’s secretary, thoughts on TNA’s release of Jesse Sorensen, Daniel Bryan’s Raw push, the Dolph Ziggler-Big E Langston feud, John Cena’s mounting world title reigns and more.
