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April Hunter (english)

Interview

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Published on:
05.03.2003, 00:00 
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CAGEMATCH: Thank you for giving us from www.cagematch.de the chance to ask some questions.

APRIL HUNTER: Thanks for being patient and asking good questions!

CAGEMATCH: What first made you want to get into pro wrestling? Were you a wrestling fan growing up? When did you say, "That is what I want to do"? And what did your family/friends say about that?

APRIL HUNTER: I became a fan later--I was more a fan of the Ultimate Fighting than wrestling growing up. When I started training, my family had mixed reactions. Most weren't happy, they were worried about injuries and life span of this career, but they support me.

CAGEMATCH: Let's begin with your time in WCW. You've been part of the nWo as a valet. What do you think about your role in WCW and what was it like to be backstage with some of the biggest stars in wrestling?

APRIL HUNTER: It was a great opportunity for me, but I really wanted to do more than just valet at the time. Which is why I left to start training. Unfortunatly, WCW died off in the meantime. However, I met some great people while there, some of whom I still stay in touch with.

CAGEMATCH: Looking back to your time in WCW what would you say was your best / worst experience there? Was WCW something that helped you in your career?

APRIL HUNTER: I really wasn't there very long, so I didn't have any bad experiences, except the airport losing my luggage. Yep, I think WCW helped me--I learned how to travel that sort of schedule and know what to expect now.

CAGEMATCH: After WCW you joined Killer Kowalski's Wrestling School and started to learn to wrestle. Slyk Wagner Brown (www.slykwagnerbrown.com)was one of your coaches there. What did you feel after your first week? Was it hard to start wrestling?

APRIL HUNTER: I felt sore. Very, very sore. Both 'pulled muscle' sore and 'banged up' sore. The two together...more than I'd bargained for at first! But I gave so much up to be there...moved across the country 3500 miles, gave up modeling, moved into a city that was so much more expensive, I was determined to stick it out.

CAGEMATCH: You work a lot of shows together with Slyk Wagner Brown, both as a valet and as a tag team partner. How would you describe him as a person and your relationship with him?

APRIL HUNTER: Slyk is a talented guy who is very dedicated to the business and could (or should) definitely be on a higher level. He'll shoot you straight if you ask him for help or advice, doesn't play games and is a fun guy to hang out with. He's the person I'm closest to and has always looked out for me.

CAGEMATCH: You wrestled at a lot of US indy promotions. Is there one promotion you consider "your home"? And which have been your favourite promotions to work for?

APRIL HUNTER: Jersey All Pro is one of my favorites. I always look foward to working there because they treat me well and always give me matches with people I can learn from.

CAGEMATCH: You have been part of WXW's Women Super 8 Tournament. What do you think about the tournament itself and your performance there?

APRIL HUNTER: WXW is another one of the federations I like working. I think they're actually supposed to have a TV show in Germany soon! I wasn't really happy with my performance that night...I was late getting to the show (a tractor trailer had overturned and they had everyone sitting on the highway until the spill was cleaned up.) and missed two matches. I made the third match with Gail "Felina" Kim, who was very easy to work with. Just being invited to work on that tournament was a big honor.

CAGEMATCH: Let's talk about the Killer Babes, Nikki Roxx and you. As stated on your website (www.aprilhunter.com) , you want to change American Women's wrestling, by forming a team out of 2 women, that actually can wrestle. Do you think that you accomplished that goal?

APRIL HUNTER: Maybe. I couldn't ask for a better tag partner than Nikki-she's very cool to work with and we have a lot of fun. I love women's tags and most of the time, the audience does too. But just throwing a few girls together last minute doesn't allow them to build up any chemisty or timing with each other. By forming teams, we offer a chance at having better matches overall.

CAGEMATCH: Speaking of women's wrestling in the US. Do you think that it is seen more like T & A (not talent and attitude ;-)) or more as a sport? Do you think it's harder to make it in the business when you are a woman?

APRIL HUNTER: Oh, that's a loaded question! I think it depends on where you work. Some feds like T& A, while others want strictly trained wrestlers. But in my experience, most want a balance of both. Real trained wrestlers who are also pretty and have a good shape to them. As far as making it, that could be yes or no. I think if you're a good package (looks and ablility), your chances of being picked up as a female are greater than if you're good and male, simply because there aren't many good females right now. But it is a man's business and that can work both for and against you.

CAGEMATCH: You've also wrestled in Japan and Europe. What is the biggest difference when you look on the work in the ring and the fans at the shows?

APRIL HUNTER: I love working overseas! The biggest difference are the crowds. They're more into it, less jaded. They still seem to enjoy it, rather than going just to pick it apart. Makes it fun. Plus there are much bigger crowds. It's not uncommon for 500-1500 at an indy show overseas, where 100-300 people is the norm here. 500 fans is considered a BIG sucessful show in the USA.

CAGEMATCH: Speaking of Europe, you will be in the UK for about a week in march for the All Star Tour and then you will return to Europe as you will appear on Irish Whip Wrestlings show in April. Are you looking forward to stay in Europe for about a week and what do you expect from these shows?

APRIL HUNTER: I'll be in the UK for two weeks and am leaving tomorrow, March 5th. Hell yes, I'm looking foward to it! I don't expect much, just to have fun and roll with whatever comes my way.

CAGEMATCH: You also had the chance to work for NWA:TNA. What was it like to work there? Do you think that the promotion has the chance to become serious competition for WWE?

APRIL HUNTER: TNA was a cool experience. I'd never wrestled on live TV before. I think if the promotion wanted to, it could be competition for WWE, but they would probably have to change a few things. They already have lots of talent there and keep growing, so the sky is the limit for them.

CAGEMATCH: What are your future plans? WWE? Japan? NWA TNA?

APRIL HUNTER: To have fun and go wherever it takes me! Have tights, will travel. When it's not fun anymore, then I'll give it up.

CAGEMATCH: Let's talk about your website (www.aprilhunter.com).You have a lot of information on it about you as a wrestler and there is a members section with adult content as well. Do you see your website as a chance to interact with your fans?

APRIL HUNTER: Yep. I love my site. Have had it for about 5 years and it's just grown to a monster size! Have something like 7000 photos on it now...when I first started, I was a centerfold model and I only had five sets an no video at all! It's my outlet--I love doing the "behind-the scenes" diaries, keeping in touch with fans, letting them know me, not just the "stuck up tough bitch" character I play. And yes, I'm naked a lot too! So, they REALLY get to know more of me!

CAGEMATCH: You have a free weekly newsletter on your site, that contains all the information your fans need (tour dates, tour reviews, articles...). One part of that newsletter is the "Hunter Ha Ha ...", that features a joke. Are you a person that loves to laugh and to tell jokes? Would you mind to tell us your favourite joke?

APRIL HUNTER: I LOVE dirty jokes. OK, here's my current favorite:

The Toast

John O'Reilly hoisted his beer at the pub and said, "Here's to spending the rest of me life, between the legs of me wife!"

That won him the top prize for the best toast of the night.

He went home and told his wife, Mary, "I won the prize for the best toast of the night."

She said, "Aye, what was your toast?"

John said, "Here's to spending the rest of me life, sitting in church beside me wife."

"Ohh, that is very nice indeed, John!" Mary said.

The next day, Mary ran into one of John's toasting buddies on the street corner. The man chuckled leeringly and said, "John won the prize the other night with a toast about you, Mary."

She said, "Aye, and I was a bit surprised me self! You know, he's only been there twice. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come."

CAGEMATCH: What would you tell a woman that wants to start with wrestling?

APRIL HUNTER: Go for it. Pick a good school and train hard. Don't let anyone treat you like a girl, but remember to look like one on shows and you'll be fine!

CAGEMATCH: What do you think about the fans? Do you feel fans today are too demanding? Is it to much "we want more high spots and bumps"?

APRIL HUNTER: Sometimes. It depends on where you are. America seems to be a little jaded and some seem to watch just to critisize. After you see so many high spots and dives out the the floor, what else is there? UK, Ireland and Japan are still into it, though.

CAGEMATCH: What was the funniest story you've experienced inside a wrestling ring/locker room?

APRIL HUNTER: Funniest thing I saw was actually on tape. Slyk was going out for his match (this was a while ago, when he was a rookie) and Brian Lee patted him and said "good luck". SWB went out all cocky, vaulted in the ring over the top rope and ran back and forth a few times...with a long, long trail of toliet paper trailing in the breeze and hanging from his tights.

CAGEMATCH: Is there anything you want to say to your German fans?

APRIL HUNTER: Danka shurn! I probably didn't spell that right, sorry!! But thank you for reading this!

CAGEMATCH: Thanks a lot for answering our questions! We wish you all the best for your future!

APRIL HUNTER: No problem. I really hope to visit Germany, Netherlands and Austria soon. Have always wanted to see more than just the Amsterdam airport!! Take care, be good, and if you can't be good...don't get caught. :)

WORD ASSOCIATIONS

Sports Entertainment: sometimes good, sometimes not.
"Wrestling is fake!": not "fake", just predetermined.
US Independent Wrestling: gets little respect.
Big Red: that's me!
Japan: Wrestling and respect.
Vince McMahon: WWE owner
Europe: great chocolate. Much better than American chocolate. Actually, most of their food is better...
women in wrestling: should get trained properly and not try to get by on their looks only.
Nikki Roxx: one of the best matches I've ever had as an opponent, a great partner and someone who works hard and gets better every week.
Killer Kowalski: a true legend who's forgotten more than I know.
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