The lifestyle of a TNA Impact Wrestling Knockout is not easy, especially for a champion. And with Impact Wrestling taking to the road full-time, the schedule will only be getting more demanding.
Five-Time Knockout Champion Tara has been taking care of business in the ring for over a decade, but the still manages to find time to open a pizzeria in downtown Chicago. Tara also takes some time out to talk to us about both.
Ms. Tara, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. What do you think about Impact Wrestling going on the road full time?
I think it’s the right thing to do for the long term success of the company. I love going to work at Universal Studios in Orlando. But I’m also looking forward to feeling the excitement from crowds who don’t get to see us every week. And I think it gives the company an opportunity to bring in new fans who maybe aren’t as familiar with us now, but will become regular viewers once they get the chance to see us live.
How do you manage to stay in shape while on the road so much?
I train hard. I like to think that nobody trains as hard as I do. I’m living a dream, and in order to keep doing that, I need to be in peak physical condition. I have trained in the gym with MMA fighters, football players, boxers, triathletes. I have never seen anyone train harder than I do. I am fully committed. When I go through the indies, and people tell me that this is their dream, and they tell me they do no conditioning, I know that they aren’t 100% committed. If you want to be a professional wrestler on an international level, at least be in as good condition as this 42 year old woman.
Which heel character have you had more fun with? “Crazy Victoria” or “Cocky/Snobby Tara”?
They are both awesome. I have fun doing characters that are different than myself. For me, the more ‘out there’ the character is, the more fun I have.
Was Jesse always the planned “boy toy”, or was there ever discussion of using Joey Ryan?
I’m not involved in what happenes in those meetings. I show up to work. They give me some direction, and I take it from there.
Who is the one opponent you have yet to wrestle, and would be your dream match?
I have said Chyna several times. People don’t like that answer because a lot of people don’t think she’s been living her best life since she left WWF. Since it is a dream match, she would have come to WWE 8-9 years ago and we would have had a slobberknocker (to use ne one if JRs terms).
Where can people find your restaurant, “The Squared Circle”?
2418 N Ashland in Chicago, IL. We’re on pace to open on March 14th. You can get more details at www.TheSquaredCircle.biz or @theSQDcircle
Will “The Squared Circle” host PPV “parties or events”?
Absolutely! We’ll definitely be hosting pro wrestling PPVs.
Will you make appearances at your Restaurant?
I will be there on a regular basis. Several times per week. This isn’t a pet project. I will be managing it
What’s next for Tara? Perhaps setting a new record as a six-time champion?
The sky’s the limit!
Impact Wrestling begins touring full-time starting March 14th, and can be seen every Thursday Night at 8PM ET. If you’re in the Chicago area, make sure to check out Tara’s pizza restaurant “The Squared Circle” in downtown Chicago at 2418 N Ashland Ave.
More details on attending the historic first live Impact on March 14th is available HERE.
