The Rochester Metromix has an article about Beth Phoenix in regards to a Raw house show held in western New York a few days ago — a homecoming for the WWE Diva.
Beth talks about being proud to represent western New York in WWE:
There’s something about western New York that seems to breed fame. Taye Diggs, Abby Wambach, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kristen Wiig, Chad Michael Murray, Renée Fleming and Teddy Geiger have all called this area home — along with a host of intellectuals, politicians and businessmen.
So it should come as no surprise that the WWE Raw show at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday, June 11, will be a homecoming of sorts for Superstar Diva Beth Phoenix.
“I’m really proud to represent western New York,” says Phoenix, an Elmira, Chemung County, native who was born Elizabeth Kocanski. “I’m looking forward to a warm welcome from this area.”
Phoenix also discusses her life before wrestling:
“Whenever people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said ‘pro wrestler,’ even as a little girl,” says Phoenix, 30.” She was the first female varsity wrestler in the history of Elmira’s Notre Dame High School, winning championships at the local and state levels. Before pursuing a professional wrestling career, Phoenix moved to Buffalo and majored in criminal justice at Canisius College while continuing her wrestling training at a small gym 28 miles away in Medina, Orleans County.
“It was tough not having any connections in the field,” she says. “I had to work my way from the ground up and keep banging on doors to get noticed.”
Beth also discusses the WWE Divas and the competition amongst them:
“Our moniker is ‘smart, sexy and powerful,’ but our first goal is being great role models for men and women alike. Looking great might initially draw them, but we are educated, have drive, college degrees and talent beyond ways in the ring,” she says. “You can’t get away with being mediocre if you want to be a WWE Superstar Diva.”
And while the Divas are united on their WWE identity, it’s every woman for herself on the road. Because they are often pitted against one another during performances, Phoenix admits that much of the tension carries off-stage as well.
“Divas have huge competition,” she says. “Friends are few and far between. In the locker room, you can shake hands or maybe have dinner, but in the ring it’s our livelihood and paycheck. I want to be the best.”
18 Comments
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Very good article! =]
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iT would be so Epic if I went to Western NY and saw Beth walking down the street lol.
Beth has great competition hopefully one day we will get Natalya vs Beth and Gail Kim vs Beth. She puts on great matches with Melina , I would also like to see her face Alicia Fox , and Aj too.
Mike in Like Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at
I’ve been dying to see Nattie versus Beth ever since Nat won the belt last year. They could have been on one helluva bout for the title. I also enjoyed Beth and Alicia’s work in that fatal four way or battle royal a while back when Alicia got all up in Beth’s face I think they have good chemistry. Not to mention Gail Kim and Beth who speaks for itself. If only…
AdriRay<3Maryse Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at
That fatal four way was so entertaining!!!
Mike in Like Reply:
June 16th, 2011 at
I agree – loved it. Beth, Alicia and Gail really stood out in it and Kelly was… Kelly. lol. They should do more multidiva matches like that I also recall the three way dance with Melina, Alicia and Eve being a great match not long ago. Fatal 4 Ways and Triple threats usually end up good – some good spots.
MajidK Reply:
June 16th, 2011 at
I know, it really showed how divas can pull out great matches when given a decent amount of time to show case their talents.
I wish they do Beth vs Melina vs Gail vs Nattie but i doubt it.
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That Picture….. :-D Has David seen this pic yet…..lol
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beth is an inspiration i mean she never gave up & worked for everything..shes so amazing..
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Very good article. I wish the WWE will allow Beth, Melina, Gail, and Nattie really showcase their talent. They worked so hard on the indie’s to get to the “E” only to be overshadowed by models/wrestlers.
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At least she had a good show in Western NY this time- remember she had to drop the Divas title to LC in Buffalo because of her ACL tear last year…
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Honestly don’t like Beth.. Nothing against her, just never liked her. There’s nothing bad i can say about her in-ring work so dont flame me over that. This article wasn’t really interesting to me… I don’t know why but it was a boring read.. /=
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I’m Upstate NY, but still whoot whoot!
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The fatal fourway with Kim Fox Beth n …Kelly!! Ya it rocked was maybe a spotfest but an AWESOME SPOTFEST!! Wish they did more of that
Beth vs Nattie at WRESTLEMANIA after…defeating Gail Kim n Melina at the ROYAL RUMBLE
AFTER…defeating LayCool at the Table Match at Armageddon.
Would of been insane!
would of could ofs of the WWE…SMH
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I like Beth, but I can tell she’s one of the competitive ones. She looks to be the most serious of the divas.
Alicia just goes out and does her thing. Maryse doesn’t seem to care anymore other than getting some hair flipping attention. Melina is serious, but she mellowed down due to her lack of push now. The new girls are all serious which includes Tamina and the blond one that won that NXT thing lol… Kaitlyn. AJ looks to be going out and enjoying herself for now. Gail is taking things in stride and is only serious when she is wrestling. The Bellas don’t seem to care. McCool if she was around, is another that is serious about her push… but she gets it. Layla is fun loving but also serious. Trish was usually serious. Lita was somewhat serious, somewhat just going out to do her thing. Kelly Kelly is serious but on the more fun side… but in the end, I can understand that everyone wants a spot at the top. The only ones who doesn’t seem to care too much about that is Gail and Alicia although Gail is due her turn for the title.
adifferentsame Reply:
June 16th, 2011 at
A wonderful elaboration on the meaning of being serious. Thank you. :)
Wesley Romano Reply:
June 16th, 2011 at
Your welcome. ;)
VarsityBaseDude Reply:
June 19th, 2011 at
Thank you :). I hope our Divas get a better push soon… they need to be serious about the division
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Wow all the divas must b friendless… Why can people just get anong !!! And Beth going back to NY is good…. look at the reaction from the crowd last year when she lost her title ! This could mean that the writers if they were there colud have seen the pop from the crowd and give her a push… but not likely 2 happen…….. :(