I had been stumped as to what to write about this week. I’m one of those people who have to be ‘inspired’ in order to speak or write in this case. I guess I feel like if what I have to say isn’t interesting or if I can’t be passionate while writing, then it’s just best to sit back on my pink aura lol (insert joke here) and simmer. But alas, something came to me tonight; I felt fidgety like I needed to talk but couldn’t tell if, maybe, it was just the full moon coming this week that’s throwing off my balance or what the reason for my restlessness was. And then it came to me… this week in the ‘Fair’, I’m gonna discuss heroes in the wrestling business.
When I started out many years ago, I was a bright eyed, naive, sheltered teenager eager to jump feet first into the world of pro wrestling. Being a North Carolinian, I grew up knowing the names of Ric Flair (fave wrestler ever), Ricky Steamboat, Dusty Rhodes and many others. With Crockett Promotions taking place practically in my backyard I couldn’t help but be educated. I would not have called myself a fan, however. My quite ‘southern’ father, an avid fisherman, hunter and ‘rassling’ fan made sure to keep me updated though on all that was professional wrestling. He would turn on wrestling every Saturday morning and make me watch Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. Repeating to me weekend after weekend: “Kristin, you’re gonna grow up and be a rassler. You’re just as strong and as pretty as those girls.” I would always retort in my prissy way: “No I’m NOT gonna be one of those girls Daddy! I am a lady!” I couldn’t have been more than ten years old at the time, but my father had just predicted my future. Well to a point. Becoming a wrestler did become part of my path and I’d like to think I remained a lady while doing so. But we are talking about heroes right? I guess in the GLOW era it would’ve been Tina Ferrari but Barbie was my first love, not that you can tell that by looking at me (wink wink). As I grew up, the Saturday morning tradition faded however it apparently stayed with me through at least my late-teens when I decided to give up my budding modeling career and pursue wrestling. Hey, if Trish could do it, so could I! Here was a girl who looked like a Barbie (my first love) but was a wrestler. I thought back to my father’s words… he was right! And I had found the person who would become my guide… or so I thought.
Ahh, silly, clueless, overzealous Krissy Vaine. I jumped in and I moved up. I had a drive and a determination. It was calling to me and I knew it. Great things would lie ahead, hard work and dedication would get me to the big show! I just knew Vince would be calling me at any minute. No one on the independent circuit looked like me and I knew it. The ball was in my court. Five years into my venture I received the call. I was brought in for my first tryout…
Long story short, I was entirely too ‘green’ and not ready for the big time yet. However, they did like me and continued to bring me in for tryouts and watch me progress over the next year. Each tryout allowed me to be nearer to my heroes that I watched on TV every week. I got my first taste of being let down by one of them during the tryout I had a year prior to my signing. I was like a kid in a candy store and was thrilled to be in the locker room with all the beauties that I watched on TV every week! I wanted to be just like them. And I thought everyone was friends! It was so exciting being a kid in that environment. I was on top of the world and just made myself right at home. I was gonna be one of the girls, we were all gonna be BFFs and travel and see the world together while performing and doing what we love! Ahahaha, silly Krissy Vaine.
I didn’t know that you weren’t allowed in the locker room unless you were ‘over’. I think I’ve mentioned before I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t have my stuff thrown out into the streets. And then I saw her, she might as well have been radiating because she was the be all and end all as far as I was concerned. My holy grail, the one I so admire! I was screaming inside with excitement! It was TRISH! The wrestler who looks like Barbie and the one I want to be just like! Oh my god, she’s putting on her makeup right in front of me. What do I say? What do I do? Breathe. Okay, I can do this. This is my chance to form my bond, my lasting friendship with my hero and future mentor! And then I started talking.
I introduced myself to her and started carrying on a conversation about how she had influenced me to get into the wrestling business and how I had followed her since her Muscle Mag days and so on and so forth. She talked back, but not graciously and I could sense that but I just thought maybe she was concentrating (makeup) so I continued. Molly Holly, who was also doing her makeup, getting ready for TV jumped in and started asking questions about me. Where was I training? how long had I been wrestling? So on and so forth. She seemed to be genuinely interested in me and totally sweet however, I really wasn’t that interested in Molly although it was super cool she cared about me, but hello… Trish was in our presence and she is the queen of my wrestling world. Molly, you’re really sweet but reall… Ahem Trish, Trish? Where was Trish? She had snuck off for a moment. Where did she go? What was she doing? We were having a great conversation… or so I thought! Eventually she came back and approached her mirror again, quiet as a mouse and picked up where she had left off five minutes earlier. Within 10 seconds of her return, a burly woman came in and escorted me out of the area and told to me go to the ‘extras’ locker room, which was a broom closet by the way. Grr broom closet? Do you know who I think I am? I’m Krissy Vaine!!! And then it hit me. Oh no. Did what I think just happened, really happen? Did she just ‘strategize’ me? Did my hero just have my jabroni butt kicked out of the locker room because I was admiring her? It sure looked like it! But it was so slick, so smooth — maybe I was mistaken? Maybe I was just paranoid? But no, I hadn’t reached the paranoia state in my career yet — that came a few years later. Molly on the other hand, as I was being taken out, said: “No, she can stay, she’s not bothering anyone. She’s fine, don’t worry.” But to no avail. Thanks anyway, Molly.
So that was my first taste of it. That first bit of sadness you get when someone you look up to disappoints you. But there would be plenty more to come. I’m not blaming Trish, if you let it, the wrestling business can bring out the worst in you, I know it did with me. I acted so out of character so many times, I’m ashamed. I became a sheep in the herd, rather than the leader I was born to be. Upon a return (if and when it were to ever happen) I would be okay. I would remain aligned with myself and stay true to me. After all, I’m the only person I can truly count on. I learned that from my hero! You see, it’s lonely at the top. Yes, you get all the glitz and glamour or so it seems, but it’s like Stone Cold says: DTA. And its the God’s honest truth. Don’t trust anybody. Trish was just protecting herself and her property, it was nothing personal and I feel for sure, that she’s a great person. But DTA apparently really works well for her as it does the many who master it. I was foolish and Krissy Vaine at the time was ‘TE’, trust everybody! Unfortunately that was the only experience I had with my her. Others who I wouldn’t have been a fan of or ‘mark out’ for on TV became my heroes in the locker room. It’s always the ones who never got the ‘big push’ who are wonderful mentors to the younger generation. Molly, Victoria and Dawn Marie all made an impact on me in one way or another that they probably don’t even remember. It may have been just a smile or a helpful hand but they were kind to a newcomer who was very nervous and just wanted to fit in. I’m so happy to see Victoria getting the push she deserves at TNA, she is beyond bomb! I try to carry on that tradition when a newbie crosses my path. Exceptions to the prior rule in my experience were Melina and Torrie. Both are/were ‘over’ on TV and both seem to be wonderful people. Melina talked me through an awful night where one of the boys had ripped me a new one for having a boyfriend. She’s really sensitive and beautiful. She did not know me from the next blonde over, but was a shoulder for me to lean that night. It meant the world. She probably doesn’t even remember. Torrie, as has been well documented, is an angel. She only dealt with me for a short period but it was when I was at rock bottom. Instead of kicking me while I was down (like many others), she helped me to rise above and be great. I could have never done that without her. Actually, she pretty much did everything. I was a zombie just going through the motions by that point.
So I guess the moral of the story is your heroes may not be who you think they are. And it’s okay if they are not. We are all just human and no one is perfect and we shouldn’t expect them to be. Look for heroes in your daily life. When you find one align, or as we like to say, ‘tag team’ with them and do something great! They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and forms. You just have to look. I’ve made a habit out of looking and its brought such amazing people to me. Look up to someone you would never even think to look up to and tell them you admire them. There is great power in our words. Now when I think of heroes, I don’t look to the top Diva or Knockout — I love real people. I love people who make real changes in the world or in others’ lives. I love humans who make a difference and I hope that in some teensy weensy way I can be one of those people too. Until next time y’all!
xoxo
Krissy
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20 Comments
Another GREAT and fascinating column krissy… really cool to hear your insight into this sort of thing. It seems everyone has nothing but wonderful things to say about molly :)
“Life lessons with Krissy Vaine” If I’m honest I’ve never read a Vainety Fair blog, but this one seemed “honest” if that’s the right word to use. An excellent column and a great insight to both wrestling and someones heroes.
Really great article, its so awesome that you are prepared to talk about your career like this.
I never saw much of you in action as I wasnt really a wrestling fan when you were in the E so its great I can come here to hear from you :)
i really liked this atricle…very heartfelt and touching
why is Krissy Vaine not in TNA?!?!
It’s always nice when fans get those little snippets of what backstage life is really like, good or bad. Doesn’t surprise me about the Melina thing, though. I think it was Shelly Martinez who recently said of all the people in WWE, Melina was the only one to still talk to her/write to her.
Thanks for the post, I look forward to the next!
i love your articles krissy,
it shows all the grit of the back stage going ons
its just sad that on TV its pertrayed as such a nice enviroment
all the faces are BFF’s and all the heels are BFF’s but in real life there not
and theres a 50% chance they hate eachother
it may have changes today
but i doubt it
its strange how TNA portray there knockouts as fight everyone eaven if there your friends
but in realality there all supposedly very close
“why is Krissy Vaine not in TNA?!?!”
Krissy&Amber would be a perfect fit for TNA. Unfortunately TNA already has the Beautiful People, which is pretty much identical to Team Blondage. So i dont see TNA hiring either Krissy or Amber any time soon while TBP is running the show there. The strength of the Knockouts is that they all look different, but with 2 more blondes, that advantage will fade. Although i am all for TB2.0 replacing TBP2.0 off course ;-)
But hopefully Team Blondage will make their comeback to SHIMMER someday. They have their 4th anniversary show taping next month, so a perfect opportunity for Krissy to help Amber win (like they did on NWA Unleashed earlier this year) and then announce their comeback to Shimmer ;)
“and theres a 50% chance they hate eachother
it may have changes today, but i doubt it”
Nowadays all the new Divas pass through FCW for a long period, so they are already building up friendships in Florida before they move to the main roster, so things must be much better nowadays. Also there arent any big stars anymore among the divas except maybe Mickey. Naturally there will always be a few people you dont get along with, but thats no different than a regular job in daily life.
Great column! That’s exactly why I’m afraid to meet my favorite celebrities or the biggest influences in my life. They may just turn out to be less than you expect. As big of a star that Trish is and as much as she has accomplished, I still feel there’s no excuse for that type of behavior. A human being is a human being is a human being and the wrestling business don’t seem to realize that. Which is why I guess truly genuine people don’t last long in it (or atleast the cutthroat WWE).
I really enjoyed reading this…
It is a bad idea to meet your idols…More often than not, they let you down…
Hmmmm,very interesting.I always wanted to meet,hear,see,smell,anything….my favorite idols,but I never have.I guess I lucked out in a way.Great article by the way!
Fab job! I’m always leery of meeting someone I really respect, because the smallest negative thing can mar their image in your mind. I can totally see where you’re coming from with Trish. I loved the narration of the incident.. LOL. Molly seems so sweet, though.
I too enjoyed reading the blog but the narration of the incident [like Erin] was what I loved.
:p
Trish is like my favorite ever. But I can’t say I’m hugely surprised about this.From what I understand,she’s quite regimented and rules following to the letter.IOW,if anyone wasn’t technically supposed to be in the locker room and Trish knew that,it’s best to keep distance from her.Just from what I have heard over time(take that as you will)she probably would see that person tossed,largely on principal.Cool points for Molly for not playing that hand though. Such also fits with what I have generally heard in prior times of her as well.
Glad to hear Torrie is nice.Her personal image stock has really risen over time.
fantastic job, krissy. this is why i’m always on this website (well, not always.) i really felt this blog. i grew up in north carolina too.(: it’s just great hear how nice melina and torrie are. i know about the cattiness that appears in wwe. i expected melina to be a serious diva. but, she isn’t. wow krissy, you did a fantastic job.(: i can’t wait for the next “fair”.(:
Krissy , I love your column!It is so fascinating , you’re a fantastic writer!Awesome Job!
I really, really enjoyed reading your column Krissy, every week it’s an insightful and interesting read.
I love the way you write your columns, very intelligent and honest!
It really gives me more of an idea what it’s like to be a newcomer in the world of wrestling, I know a lot of us girls would be like that if we were in that position, excited to meet the Diva we love the most and look up to only for them not to live up to expectations.
This only confirms my dislike for Trish even more. For me it just comes down to I think shes a horrible person. Her character is mean and cocky even when she is face, and without all those pushes that WWE doesnt seem to hand out to any other Diva, she wouldnt even be as close to as loved as she is. I saw right through her and knew it couldnt have been acting.
I honestly don’t like knowing this kinda stuff…I use to want Trish to write an autobiography but after awhile thought “forget it” because either this kinda stuff will come out or she’ll fluff it and make it seem like it was all rainbows and butterflies in the Stratusphere like she always does. As much as I admire her I always knew there was this side to her because there’s no way she could have maintained her spot for this long and I’m not using past tense because the special appearances show if she wanted it, she could still have it. 2007 is when I pretty much realized that is wasn’t her charisma or ring skills but her “bidness” savvy that took her to the top and I can still respect that but this is just rude and there’s no defending it. I can only imagine how you felt and thanks for writing this. But it does kinda contradict this…
“When Vaine told Stratus how she followed her career from the beginning, Stratus was very flattered and gave her some good tips to help her in her career.”
-http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/12/08/773913.html
but then again I kinda get the feeling the Canadian wrestling media (Slam & LAW) are biased to Trish anyway, I mean did anyone listen to the LAW’s greatest female performer show? But is there anything to it, did the twist your words or something?
And also I’m sure this was the night she main evented Raw vs. Lita, maybe she was in the zone, feeling the pressure or something or maybe…I don’t even know but that was long….sorry.
Hey you guys! Again thanks for everyone’s interest! I already have my idea for this week! YAY! Oh and “check_ it” you’re totally right about the Slam Article! I told that guy I met her and it was amazing but I didn’t mention the experience in detail-LOL I wouldve been an idiot to do that at that point of my career. Kind of career suicide if you will;) wink, wink. Buuuuut, I did want to make it clear that in no way was she awful or rude…. Just “slick” is the best way I know to describe it but that is the nature of the beast/business. It’s just the way it is and if you’re not a shark you will get eaten alive like I did. Really I should’ve taken notes that night. You have to be guarded at all times to keep your spot:)