'Glamazon' Beth Phoenix battles back from devastating injury

Ohio Valley Wrestling star will be in London Saturday night

By Denis House

Like the mythical bird that she takes her name from, wrestling’s Beth Phoenix is ready to rise from the ashes of a devastating injury and claim her spot at the top of her sport.

This knockout blonde, dubbed “The Glamazon” has been a fixture in Ohio Valley Wrestling for the past couple of years, and even had a brief stint on Raw before an in-ring injury put her out of action for 12 weeks back in the summer of 2006.

“It was my first singles match on Raw, against Victoria, and I was on the wrong side of a slap square on my jaw,” Phoenix said. “It broke my jaw in two places, and I had to have surgery. It was a very difficult healing process, both physically and emotionally. I had just made my way to Raw, and then my whole world collapsed around me.”

To her credit, she did finish the match, despite the pain, and actually beat Victoria. “That should send a message to the others divas that I’m not somebody to mess with,” she said. She even wanted to compete with a protective mask on, but her doctor wouldn’t allow it. “I couldn’t eat solid foods for six weeks, and I still haven’t regained feeling in my face.”

And she hasn’t forgotten what Victoria did to her.

“She claims it was an accident, but I hold a grudge, and when I make it back to Raw, she’s first on my list,” Phoenix said. “A little bit of revenge will taste sweet, and I’ll be able to give back some of the pain.”

Growing up in Elmira, New York, Phoenix found professional wrestling through her grandmother. Once she started watching, she was hooked. She loved the antics of Sensational Sherri Martel, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase and especially, the late Owen Hart.

“I always loved the bad guys,” Phoenix said, herself no stranger to bending a rule or two in the ring. “I thought Owen was the most entertaining person and a phenomenal worker.” She also said that she prefers working as a bad guy. “It’s an extension of myself,” Phoenix said. “I would say I’m a little mischievous, and I know what I want and how to get it, and if I have to break the rules, that’s the name of the game.”

Phoenix watched Raw from its very first episode, and always dreamed of one day wrestling on the show. She had her first professional match in 1999, against Alexis Laree, now better known as the WWE women’s champion, Mickie James. In fact, when she first appeared on Raw, she was there to help Trish Stratus in her battle with James.

Phoenix was trained by The All Knighters, who received their training in the infamous Hart Dungeon in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Since coming to Ohio Valley, she has continued her training under Danny Davis and Al Snow.

“I’ve learned so much from both of them,” Phoenix said. “Al is amazing; he’s the best trainer I’ve ever had. He really knows his stuff.”

At one time, Phoenix was partnered with Aaron Stevens and Shelly (a.k.a. ECW’s Ariel). While entertaining, jealously eventually split the trio apart, with Beth and Shelly involved in a heated feud, including a memorable match held in here in London last April.

“I enjoyed working with them,” Phoenix said. “Idol is really great, and you put three larger than life personalities together, it really worked. It was really cool, and I enjoyed that time together.”

Now, Phoenix finds herself battling current OVW women’s champion Katie Lea in a struggle for the title. Also, she is competing in the first ever “Miss OVW” contest, in which the fans can go to www.OVwrestling.com and vote for their favorite diva.

Phoenix believes there is only one choice for Miss OVW.

“To be honest, I’ve accomplished everything there is to accomplish,” she said. “I’m a former OVW champ, and this is my chance to prove myself as the hottest diva. There’s no doubt in my mind I have what it takes.”

And it would be hard to argue with the self-proclaim “Glamazon,” as Phoenix combines beauty and aggression, a dangerous combination.

“A strong, beautiful woman, the next step up from a diva,” Phoenix said when asked what a “glamazon” was. “The evolution of a diva. That’s me.”

But don’t be fooled by her beauty. This is one dangerous woman.

In fact, she competed in the first ever women’s ladder match. Granted, she lost to Katie Lea, but the two ladies put on a show that many fans who witnessed it are still talking about.

“Katie and I had been in every type of match, and the only way to decide a true champion was with a ladder match,” Phoenix said. “I admit I was nervous before the match. Joey Mercury almost lost an eye in a ladder match, and I knew how dangerous it was. There was a lot of pressure going in, but I think I set the bar high, and this was a chance to be part of history.”

“It was a difficult match, and we came out of it with no serious injuries, thank God,” Phoenix said. “I think women are ready to push it to the limit, to raise the bar. Katie was lucky to win that match. Next time she gets in the ring with me, she’ll be sorry.”

After getting a brief taste of the big time, Phoenix is eager to make her way back to Raw.

“Everyday I work my butt off,” she said. “I want to regain my rightful spot as a contender for the WWE women’s title. I think I’m a huge asset to the women’s division.”

And she hopes all that hard work pays off someday with the gold around her waist.

“I really want to be someone that people can look up to,” Phoenix said. “I came from a single-parent family, very poor, and I want to show people that you can follow your dream and make something of yourself. I want people to look at me as an example.”

She also had a message to Katie Lea.

“I beat you in the past, and you are living on borrowed time,” Phoenix said.

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