Alan Wojcik: According to your bio on wikipedia as well as onlineworldofwrestling.com you were a martial arts teacher in Florida and then a no holds barred fighter in Japan before joining the world of wrestling. How does one become a no holds barred fighter and why compete in Japan?

Angel Orsini: BEFORE STARTING TO BE AN MMA FIGHTER, I THINK YOU SHOULD ALREADY BE AT AN EXPERT LEVEL IN SOME FORM OF MARTIAL ART, IF NOT MANY. MMA IS VERY PHYSICALLY DEMANDING, YOU MUST BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, AND THEN GO BEYOND THAT FOR FIGHT TRAINING. THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD ALREADY HAVE SOME BASIC PRINCIPLES DOWN SO YOU CAN CONCENTRATE ON YOUR FIGHT STRATEGY AND ROAD WORK. FOR ME, FIGHTING WAS SOMETHING I WAS ALWAYS GOOD AT AND I LEARNED VERY QUICKLY ALL THE TECHNIQUES AND CONCEPTS. IT WAS EASY FOR ME TO TAKE SOMETHING I KNEW FROM ONE MARTIAL ART AND APPLY IT WHEN SPARRING. PEOPLE SAW THAT AND WANTED TO HELP ME FIND PEOPLE IN MMA WHO COULD HELP ME, BY TEACHING ME AND GETTING ME FIGHTS. THEY INTRODUCED ME TO BART VALE, AND AFTER TRAINING WITH HIM, HE AGREED THAT I WAS A GOOD FIGHTER AND HAD POTENTIAL, HE AGREED TO HELP ME. IN JAPAN MMA WAS ALREADY POPULAR AND THE WOMEN HAD THEIR OWN MMA GROUPS, SO THERE WAS MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO FIGHT. THEY NEEDED SOME ONE AND CALLED BART, AND THAT'S WHY I WENT.

Alan Wojcik: How did you come to be trained by Liz Chase and the legendary "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and what was the training process like?

Angel Orsini: WHILE IN JAPAN I MET REGGIE BENNETT, WHO HAD CONVINCED ME TO TRY PRO-WRESTLING. SO I ASKED AROUND AT THE LOCAL INDY SHOWS AND THEY RECOMMENDED LIZ CHASE. I MET HER AND SPOKE WITH HER, AND THEN WENT UP TO HER TRAINING FACILITY IN ROYAL PALM BEACH. WE HIT IT OFF AND BECAME BEST FRIENDS. I TRULY OWE EVERYTHING TO HER, SHE TAUGHT ME MORE THAN JUST PRO-WRESTLING, SHE TAUGHT ME PYSCHOLOGY, PROMOTING, AND CROSS-PROMOTING. I'M GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO SHARED THEIR TIME, TALENT, WISDOM, AND KNOWLEDGE WITH ME, BUT THAT WAS BUILDING UPON A SOLID FOUNDATION THAT LIZ HAD ALREADY CONSTRUCTED FOR ME. OF COURSE, IF ANY ONE COULD ADD TO THAT KNOWLEDGE THAT WOULD BE DUSTY RHODES. I MET DUSTY IN ECW, AND I ASKED IF I COULD VISIT HIS SCHOOL WHEN IN ATLANTA, AND HE WELCOMED ME WITH OPEN ARMS! IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE, HE IS ONE OF THE NICEST AND SMARTEST PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET IN WRESTLING. HIS WHOLE FAMILY IS GREAT, THEY ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I LEARNED A LOT FROM HIM AS WELL. HE HAS A GREAT PERSPECTIVE OF THE BUSINESS AND HOW TO MAKE PEOPLE BETTER. WHEN YOU ARE AT AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL, YOU NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE SEE WHERE YOU NEED IMPROVEMENT WHICH WILL BE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE. YOU NEED SOMEONE LIKE DUSTY WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING AND CAN SEE WHERE YOUR MISSING IT. I MISS CHATTING WITH HIM, HE'S TERRIFIC!

Alan Wojcik: Some people debut in wrestling against people no one ever hears of again. You debuted against former WWE superstar Joanie Laurer (working as Joanie Lee.) What are you memories if any of your debut and thoughts on the enigma that is Joanie Laurer.

Angel Orsini: OUR MATCH WAS SO EXCITING FOR ME. HERE IT IS MY FIRST MATCH ON A CARD WITH LUNA VACHON, AND THERE ARE 1,500 BIKERS WAITING FOR US AT THIS AWESOME COMPOUND CALLED THE IRON HORSE SALOON. AS SOME WOULD SAY, "WHAT A RUSH!" I WAS PUMPED AND READY FOR IT AND I WAS HOOKED FROM THAT MOMENT ON WITH PRO-WRESTLING. IT WAS GREAT WORKING WITH HER, SHE WAS STAYING WITH LIZ FOR ABOUT 6 WEEKS AND SO I GOT TO TRAIN WITH HER IN THE RING AND AT THE GYM. SHE WAS SO NICE AND COMPLETELY STRAIGHT EDGE. I COULDN'T IMAGINE HER TO END UP WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS BECAUSE SHE WAS SO LEVEL-HEADED. SHE'S A GREAT TALENT AND I WISH HER ALL THE BEST.

Alan Wojcik: You worked for WWE Hall of Famer the Fabulous Moolah and her Ladies International Wrestling Federation. Talk about working for the wrestling legend who started as Slavegirl Moolah.

Angel Orisni: I HAD ALREADY SPOKE WITH HER MANY TIMES ON THE PHONE BECAUSE LIZ WAS TRAINED BY MOOLAH, LIVED AT HER COMPOUND, AND HAD ALWAYS STAYED IN TOUCH WITH HER. SO LIZ WANTED TO INTRODUCE US AND TO HAVE HER MEET ME. WHICH I DID IN LAS VEGAS. MOOLAH WAS ALWAYS SWEET AND ENCOURAGING TO ME. WORKING ON THAT SHOW AND GETTING IN THE RING WITH THOSE LEGENDS OF WOMEN'S WRESTLING - PRICELESS! MY RESPECT AND AWE OF THEM ONLY INCREASED OVER THE WEEKEND AS I LISTENED TO STORIES OF WHAT20THESE WOMEN WENT THROUGH TO BE THEMSELVES DURING THEIR TIME IN HISTORY. THEY WERE HARASSED IN SO MANY WAYS. THEY WERE SEXUALLY HARASSED BY THE GUYS ON TOUR AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY HOTEL AND RESTERAUNT CUSTOMERS AND STAFF. SOME OF THE GIRLS WERE HARASSED BY POLICE, AND ONE TIME THEY WERE ARRESTED SPENDING THE WEEKEND IN JAIL. THAT WEEKEND I REALIZED THAT THESE WOMEN TRULY PAVED THE WAY FOR WOMEN'S WRESTLING NOW. I DECIDED IN MY HEART THAT I WOULD ALWAYS CARRY MYSELF IN WRESTLING THE WAY THESE WOMEN DID, THAT I WOULD HONOR THEM WITH THE REST OF MY CAREER. I THINK OF LIZ, MOOLAH, AND PENNY BANNER A LOT AT THE ALL GIRL SHOWS, LIKE WSU. THE WAY WE ARE PROMOTED IN WSU, IS THE RIGHT WAY AND THAT'S WHY I'M INVOLVED IN IT. I THINK THE WAY WOMEN ARE PROMOTED ON WRESTLING TV NOW IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THOSE WOMEN.

Alan Wojcik: Is it true you were on the Jenny Jones Show as a panelist on a show about women who intimidate men in the workplace?

Angel Orsini: YES, IT WAS THE SHOW ABOUT "WOMEN WHO HAVE JOBS THAT INTIMIDATE MEN" AND THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF IT INTERFERED WITH OUR DATING LIFE'S. THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! I HAD A BLAST AND IT WAS GREAT TO SOCIALIZE WITH WOMEN LIKE MYSELF BUT WHO HAD OTHER JOBS. IT WAS AN HONOR TO MEET THEM ALL.

Alan Wojcik: How did the Prodigette become a member of the ECW roster and manager of the Sideshow Freaks (Simon Diamond, Johnny Swinger, Muskateer, Tom Marquez, Bilvis Wesley) and what are your memories of the group.

Angel Orsini: THOSE GUYS WERE GREAT, WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! WE WERE A GOOD GROUP AND SIMON DIAMOND WAS A BIG HELP TO ME. ALL THOSE GUYS WERE HELPFUL. I EITHER TRAINED IN THE RING WITH THEM OR PEOPLE LIKE BILL AND SIMON WOULD TALK TO ME ABOUT HOW TO MAKE MY STUFF BETTER. IT JUST SUCKED THAT WE WERE ALL UNDER SO MUCH PRESSURE, IT AFFECTED EVERYONE BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION. WE ALL KNEW NOT TO TRUST PAUL BUT WE HAD NO CHOICE BECAUSE NO ONE WAS GOING TO JUST GIVE UP AND WALK AWAY.

Alan Wojcik: You joined ECW as the promotion was heading into financial peril, what was the overall atmosphere like and does Paul Heyman owe you money like he seems to owe Shane Douglas and Danny Doring?

Angel Orsini: NO, HE DOESN'T OWE ME ANYTHING. IT'S TERRIBLE THE WAY THINGS WORKED OUT. THESE GUYS PUT EVERYTHING, BLOOD, SWEAT, BEING AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES, INTO ECW AND MADE IT GREAT. THEN THEY GOT SCREWED. THESE ARE GOOD GUYS AND THEY DIDN'T DESERVE IT.

Alan Wojcik: Soon after the promotion folded you were nearly retired due to a car accident. How severe were your injuries that you might have had to give up wrestling?

Angel Orsini: SOME IDIOT RAN A STOP SIGN AND NAILED ME ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, MY CAR ENDED UP ON THE SIDEWALK. I COULDN'T MOVE AND I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS BREATHING. THEY THOUGHT MY LUNG WAS COLLAPSING AND HAD A HARD TIME REMOVING ME FROM THE CAR BECAUSE I COULDN'T MOVE MY LOWER BODY. IT WAS EXCRUIATINGLY PAINFUL. I COULD BARELY MOVE AND NEEDED HELP WALKING. FOR 2 WEEKS I WAS A MESS, MY FRIENDS COULDN'T HANDLE BEING AROUND ME, SOME ONE WHO WAS ALWAYS RUNNING AROUND NOW NEEDED HELP GETTING TO THE BATHROOM. THE MUSCLE SPASMS IN BETWEEN MY RIBS WERE THE WORST. I HAD PARTIAL DISLOCATIONS IN MY JAW, SHOULDER, AND HIP (EVERYTHING WAS OFF BY JUST A LITTLE), BRUISED RIBS, AND SEVERE WHIPLASH. AFTER 2 WEEKS I WAS SICK OF IT. I WAS LIKE GOD DIDN'T MAKE ME THE KIND OF PERSON WHO JUST SITS AROUND AND ACCEPTS OBSTACLES AND LIVES WITH THEM. HELL NO! I'M THE CRAZY BITCH THAT OVERCOMES OBSTACLES, I CONQUER SHIT! THAT'S WHO I AM. MY DOCTORS WERE BLOWN AWAY THE NEXT WEEK THEY SAW ME, THEY SAID WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING KEEP DOING IT. I WOULD GO FOR WALKS WITH ALL THE PAIN AND I WOULD TELL MYSELF THAT THE PAIN MEANT THAT I WAS HEALING AND GETTING STRONGER AGAIN. I KEPT GOING TO CHURCH EVERY WEEK TO BOOST MY FAITH IN GOD .. GOD WANTED ME TO KNOW THAT HE CREATED ME TO BE STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERCOME EVEN THAT SITUATION. IT WORKED! I WRESTLED 6 MONTHS ALMOST TO THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

Alan Wojcik: What made you want to live overseas for a few years and how did Angel Orsini become Riptide?

Angel Orsini: I WAS GOING OVERSEAS SINCE THE BEGINNING, I LOVE TO TRAVEL AND EXPERIENCE PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT CULTURES. I LIKE TO LEARN AND EXPAND MY PERSPECTIVES TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE. I MOVED TO NEW JERSEY TO TAKE CARE OF MY AGING GRANDMOTHER WHO HAD PARKINSONS DISEASE UNTIL WE COULD FIND A GREAT FACILITY TO CARE FOR HER. SO I MOVED IN WITH HER AND AFTER A SHORT TIME I MET A WRESTLER NAMED THUNDERBOLT, WE GOT ENGAGED, AND HE MOVED IN WITH US. T-BOLT WOULD HAVE ROID RAGES AND EVENTUALLY I HAD TO HAVE HIM LEAVE. MAYBE 2 MONTHS AFTER THAT MY GRANDMOTHER TOOK A REAL BAD TURN FROM WHICH IT WOULD ONLY GET WORSE. SHE HAD TO GO TO THE FACILITY BECAUSE SHE WOULD BE WHEELCHAIR BOUND UNTIL THE END. THE HOUSE COULD NOT ACCOMMODATE THE CHAIR, SO WE HAD NO CHOICE. AFTER THOSE TWO TRAUMATIC THINGS I JUST WANTED TO GET AWAY AND HEAL UP MY HEART. I WANTED TO LIVE WITH NO PRESSURE AND JUST GET GROUNDED INTO A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE I FIGURED IT ALL OUT AND CAME BACK TO START SCHOOL. I STARTED OFF AS RIPTIDE BACK IN 1996, AND ONCE ECW GAVE ME ANOTHER NAME I JUST WANTED TO GO BACK TO MY REAL NAME BECAUSE THEN IT WOULD GET TOO CONFUSING FOR THE FANS.

Alan Wojcik: Most wrestlers say their character is them with the volume turned up high. How much of you is Angel Orsini?

Angel Orsini: PRO-WRESTLING GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY AND DO THINGS THAT I WOULD NEVER DO IN REAL LIFE. IT'S A CREATIVE OUTLET BUT IT'S NOT ME. THE ONLY PART THAT IS ME IS THE NEVER-BACK-DOWN, NEVER-GIVE-UP, INTENSE, TENACIOUS, RELENTLESS, OVERCOME-ANY-PAIN-PART - YEAH THAT'S ME. THE REST IS ME HAVING FUN AND BEING CREATIVE.

Alan Wojcik: I've asked this question to other interview participants, are women treated differently overseas than in American promotions and if so why do you think that is the case?

Angel Orsini: WE ARE TREATED BETTER IN THE SENSE THAT WE ARE PROMOTED AS ASS-KICKING CHICKS THAT ARE GOOD-LOOKING WOMEN, NOT JUST SEX-OBJECTS THAT KINDA WRESTLE. WE ARE PROMOTED LIKE THE GUYS AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKE. THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. I THINK THAT IN EUROPE IT'S LIKE THAT BECAUSE THEIR SOCIETY VALUES WOMEN AS WOMEN FIRST AND THE SEX-OBJECT THING IS LIKE A BONUS. IN EUROPE EVERYONE IS CELEBRATED FOR THEIR TALENTS AND ABILITIES, THEY ARE GIVEN A PLACE IN SOCIETY BASED ON THAT FIRST AND ATTRACTIVENESS VALUED SECOND. HERE EVERYTHING IS SEX FIRST AND WE HARDLY EVEN NOTICE ANYTHING ELSE AFTER THAT. HERE PEOPLE ARE VALUED ON THEIR APPEARANCE FIRST ABILITY SECOND.

Alan Wojcik: In 2005 you got a tryout with the former WWE developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling. What was the OVW experience like and did they ever offer you a contract?

Angel Orsini: I WENT THERE BUT I DID NOT TRY OUT. I WENT THERE TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND IN WHAT DIRECTION THE WOMEN'S PROGRAM WAS GOING IN. BUT I PERCEIVED THERE TO BE TOO MUCH INSTABILITY AT THAT TIME AND DIDN'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED. I LEFT. I'M GLAD I DID BECAUSE I WAS RIGHT AND WOULD HAVE JUST WASTED MY TIME.

Alan Wojcik: In the last few years women's wrestling in America has grown to see the forming of Shimmer, WEW and Women Superstars Uncensored. Do you think this is good for the business to give ladies an alternative to working as a Diva or Knockout?

Angel Orsini: ABSOLUTELY, IT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE AND THE FANS AGREE.

Alan Wojcik: WEW and WSU seem to be polar opposites on the spectrum. Did you feel uncomfortable working for a promotion where the ladies were sometimes working topless?

Angel Orsini: NO, I DONT CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE DO, THAT'S THEIR BUSINESS. I WORRY ABOUT WHAT I DO, AFTER ALL THAT'S ALL I'M RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR, IT'S ALL I HAVE TO JUSTIFY.

Alan Wojcik: WSU came from the ashes of Wrestling Superstars Unplugged. Were you skepitical about how long it would last?

Angel Orsini: UNFORTUNATELY BEING IN THE WRESTLING BUSINESS FOR 13 YEARS HAS MADE ME SKEPTICAL. I WISH EVERYONE THE BEST OF LUCK, BUT I'M NOT COUNTING ON ANYTHING BEYOND THE SHOW I'M AT. BUT WSU IS DIFFERENT AND I THINK IT DOES HAVE A VIABLE FUTURE.

Alan Wojcik: Doing DVD reviews I have found WSU is definitely different than other promotions. Namely due to the presence of Beatdown Bettie member Rick Cataldo. Your thoughts on his presence in WSU, does he hurt or help the promotion?

Angel Orsini: I THINK RICK IS GREAT FOR WSU AND HE'S REALLY THE ONLY MALE PRESENCE THAT FITS OR BELONGS IN WSU.

Alan Wojcik: You've been in the ring with two ladies the fans seem to fear but also admire, the Amazing or Awesome Kong and Amy Lee. Is she the stiffest person you have worked with and if not who is?

Angel Orsini: STIFFEST? EVERYONE IN WRESTLING HAS THERE OWN STYLE. IF YOU WANT TO BE NEEDED BY A COMPANY AND BOOKED ON EVERY SHOW, YOU BETTER LEARN TO ADAPT TO EVERYONE'S STYLE. THAT'S WHAT I DO. I CAN WRESTLE BRAWLERS, HI-FLYERS, HARDCORE, GRAPPLERS, MIDGETS, WHOEVER AND WHATEVER STYLE. THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU CAN APPLY TO MAKE IT BE ENTERTAINING FOR PEOPLE TO WATCH AND NEVER DISAPPOINT THEM.

Alan Wojcik: Since May 31, 2008 you have been the WSU champion after beating current TNA star Nikki Roxx. Barring something happening this weekend you could be closer to holding the title for one year and over 15 title defenses. Are you surprised the promotion has kept the strap on you so long and have you said hey guys let's give someone else a turn?

Angel Orsini: I AM HONORED TO HAVE WRESTLED SO MANY TALENTED GIRLS AND STILL REMAIN CHAMPION AT THE END OF EACH MATCH. I DON'T THINK THE WSU FANS HAVE EVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED BY ANY OF MY PERFORMANCES, I HOPE THEY HAVEN'T. BUT I DON'T LIKE LOSING, SO F*#K THEM!! IF THEY DON'T LIKE IT THAT I'M STILL HOLDING THE BELT CAUSE THAT'S THE WAY IT IS..... I JUST DO WHAT I DO... I KICK ASS!

Alan Wojcik: As champion you have torn through the WSU roster do you have a favorite match and who would you consider a dream opponent?

Angel Orsini: MY DREAM MATCH IS ALWAYS THE NEXT MATCH, CONTINUING TO WR ESTLE IS THE DREAM... I WANT TO WRESTLE EVERYONE AND BEAT THEM!! I DON'T CARE JUST KEEP BRINGING THEM!

Alan Wojcik: You have been working with Mercedes Martinez for several years as tag partner and opponent. Since I will be interviewing her as well, tell me what makes her a good opponent and what do you think she might say about you.

Angel Orsini: SHE KNOWS ME BETTER THAN ANY OTHER WRESTLER...AND IN A LOT OF WAYS I HAVE BEEN MOLDING HER INTO MY BEST OPPONENT BECAUSE I'VE ALWAYS TAKEN IT UPON MYSELF TO TEACH HER AND SHARE WITH HER MY IDEAS AND KNOWLEDGE. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER ON THE ROAD OVER THE YEARS, SO WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BUT CHAT. I THOUGHT I WAS MAKING A BETTER TAG PARTNER BUT NOW SHE'S MY ADVISARY, SO IT'S ALL USED AGAINST ME. I IMAGINE SHE'S PRETTY PISSED AT ME, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO OVERCOME HER KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ME BY THROWING HER OFF HER GAME AND SCREWING WITH HER HEAD. SHE'S GOT THAT LATIN TEMPER AND GETS ALL EMOTIONAL, SO I'M GONNA KEEP SCREWING WITH HER HEAD BECAUSE IT'S WORKING SO FAR. MAKE NO MISTAKE, TONIGHT WILL NOT BE EASY FOR ME... I'M GONNA SHAVE HER HEAD WHEN I BEAT HER, SHE'S VERY MOTIVATED TO NOT LOSE HER HAIR. BUT SHE MADE ME BLEED SO I WANT TO RETURN THE FAVOR.

Alan Wojcik: By the time this interview makes it online you and Mercedes would have fought in a hair vs. championship bullrope match. After the cage match in January what other stuff do you two think you can do to escalate the feud or is it time to move on to other challengers?

Angel Orsini: I'M GETTING TIRED OF ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT MERCEDES, MERCEDES, MERCEDES... I WANT TO START TROUBLE WITH SOME OTHER GIRLS AND MESS UP THEIR MINDS. MERCEDES ISN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO NEEDS AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT IN WSU.