Interview with Maria

15-01-2010

Royal Rumble 2010 is right around the corner, and Maria was in the UK to say hi to all her fans. She spent some time with us to talk about her career, and more besides!

• Q
  Were you a fan of wrestling as a child and if so, who were your favourites?
• A
  Yes, I was a fan of wrestling growing up and am still a big fan of wrestling now. I was a huge fan of The Rock, I thought he was so hot, but I was also a fan of Lita, and Trish Stratus. It's amazing to be doing now what they were doing before me; its crazy!

• Q
  Given you placed 5th in the 2004 Raw Diva search, I would say you're the most successful Diva from that year. What makes you stand out from the rest?
• A
  I think me and Michelle McCool are very fortunate to still be around after all these years. I think one of my favourite things that has happened so far was winning the Diva of the year. It's really amazing to be so appreciated by the fans and I am definitely humbled by that.

• Q
  Before joining Raw you trained in OVW, what was that like and what are your fondest memories from that time?
• A
  I trained in Louisville Kentucky for about two and a half years but I was also on the road and was not there every single day because I was doing promotions and things such as that. My time there was amazing; it was hard work. Wrestling is hard work! Its something you have to truly love to stick with it. One of my favourite memories down there would be working with Paul Heyman (promoter/manager/commentator); I always had a really great time working with him.

• Q
  Who do you think taught you the most about wrestling?
• A
  Definitely Mickie James.

• Q
  Which WWE Divas, past and present, do you look to for inspiration?
• A
  I always look at Beth Pheonix and think "look at how amazing and glamorous and powerful she is". I think she is everything a Diva should aspire to be.

• Q
  Did John Cena get jealous when you got together with Santino Marella?
• A
  (Laughs) I don't think so! He is very focused on wrestling and I was very focused on the story at hand and I had a lot of fun working with Santino.

• Q
  Do you think we'll ever see a return of the KissCam?
• A
  The Kiss cam actually still happens, but it only happens on Raw during commercial breaks; so that's why you don't see it.

• Q
  Who's your dream Diva tag team partner?
• A
  Mickie. I have worked with Mickie so many times and every single time when I go to the tag, I swear she moves her hand and then I miss and I have to attempt it like 2 more times before I actually hit it.

• Q
  When can we expect to see you take your first WWE Women's title?
• A
  When pigs fly I think! I don't know, I keep trying, I keep making an effort. I feel like every time I get an inch closer I get a foot behind. I just keep trying, keep working, and I'm learning something new every weekend. I try to stay on the road so I can learn. I really try and learn at the house shows; the non-televised events; I try and do those as much as possible. I'm actually going to be on those when we come over on the WrestleMania Revenge Tour, which is in April, and I just keep fighting for it and I really, really, really would like to do that before I leave WWE.

• Q
  What's your favourite match of all time and what's your favourite match that you've been involved in?
  
• A
  It would have to be at WrestleMania, because it was my first WretleMania match. It was against Beth Phoenix, and Ashley was my partner and Melina was on the other side.

• Q
  And your favourite that you weren't involved in?
• A
  Jeff Hardy's last match (at SummerSlam 2009); he threw it all out there; he's amazing and I hope he returns to the wrestling world because he's an incredible performer.

• Q
  Why do your friends call you "boop"?
• A
  Because when I was a little girl and I fell down I would go: BOOP!

• Q
  In 2008 you were voted the 84th sexiest woman in the world by FHM, surely some of the votes for you went missing? How did you feel when you found out you'd been placed?
• A
  It was amazing! That's including all the women in the world. Its crazy! Its so cool.

• Q
  What have you experiences on the Tribute to the Troops tours been like?
• A
  Emotional and inspirational. Those guys out there, in Iraq and Afghanistan, they put it all in out there. My brother actually went to Iraq, and when he was over there I just remember thinking; I can't wait until he comes home. I just wish everyone a safe journey home, and I hope they come home soon.

• Q
  You were the Slammy "Diva of the Year" 2009 - what are you planning for 2010 to make sure you retain that title?
• A
  You know what? I hope to win a new title, and I hope that's the Women's Championship. I plan on being around in the WWE for a while, so , I would love to get the Women's World Championship, maybe the Diva's Championship, maybe both! I just want to be champion!

• Q
  Tell us about your rock album out later this year!
• A
  I am coming out with a rock album, which is out April 13th. It's a partial album, there will also be some videos on it aswell. I wrote it, I had a co-writer and and a couple of executive producers, but, they're my lyrics. Its rock music, with lyrics and a lot of passion.

• Q
  Who are your musical influences?
• A
  I love Air 5, I love Pink too because she is such a powerful woman. I just started listening to the Scipt which I guess is a huge band over here in the UK. I'm a big fan of U2 and Rancid, The Ramones and Louis Armstrong.

• Q
  Quite a range of music then!
• A
  Yeah! Everything from Susan Boyle to Marylin Manson!

• Q
  We see you're very active on Twitter. Who are the top 5 people you MUST follow in your opinion?
• A
  You must follow me! Also Pink, Ashton Kutcher, though he doesn't post so much any more, Mickie James because she's funny and Michelle McCool so you can see how twisted she can be.

• Q
  You recently filmed Celebrity Apprentice - do we see a different Maria than we see
  on WWE programming?
  
• A
  You see more of me; it was cool because I was learning so much every day. You see the business side of me and you also see that I have a lot of passion. You also see the fighter in me that comes out in the ring, but you see it even more in the apprentice.

• Q
  The book of your life story, so far, what would be the title?
• A
  Passion is my motivation.

• Q
  What do you like most when you come over to the UK?
• A
  Shopping! (laughs) You guys get everything before us; I'm so jealous! I love coming over here, I love the people and the shops are amazing. The WWE Universe that resides in the UK is incredible, I have such a good time at the shows. However, I will be with the WWE for a long time if I can. Unless they fire me!

• Q
  Being that you are of Greek heritage, have you ever wrestled in Greece?
• A
  No. I was actually working with someone trying to get the show to come over to Greece.

• Q
  What message do you have for all your fans across the UK and Europe?
• A
  I have to say: fight for what you believe in, because if you don't do it no one else will. Be passionate about life, be passionate about your interests and definitely be passionate about your family and the people that support you.