Post by Tatiana on Oct 16, 2023 3:41:08 GMT -5
Hello friends,
I am putting this statement out so late only because I have been in the hospital since the end of XIII. Aside from some lacerations, terrible bruising and a mild concussion, I am doing well. However, it has come to my attention in the past couple days that one of the matches at XIII has raised a level of outrage in our community…
Something called “pissgate”
I’ll get to that here soon.
First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation over all of the love and support I’ve gotten from this AMAZING community. I started in the wrestling business in 1999 as a “valet” and progressed into a would-be superstar before finally (after wrestling academy) a legit professional wrestler. I LOVE this sport - it’s my passion, my joy, and my life. And after 24 years of fighting, bleeding, sacrificing, and dedication… I HAVE FINALLY BECOME WORLD CHAMPION!!
Like… Whoa - Just saying it gives me goosebumps and overwhelms me with pride. I can finally say that “I’ve made it” - that I’ve transcended into immortality and am now amongst those who have had the privilege of representing a federation (and this community) as World Champion.
It should also be something for all of those new to the sport to aspire to… It took me 24 years, and finally I have found the mountaintop. And if I can do it, then you can do it - just as long as you never give up on that dream.
As far as the former champion, Jill Park goes…
I understand that she has taken a hiatus from the wrestling business after our brutal bloodsoaked match at XIII. Part of me expected to sit here and gloat about doing what I set out to do… But I also know that I’m only as good as she is if I stoop to her level.
So, I’ll say this… Jill Park is the longest reigning AW Champion for a reason - she’s cold and calculating like a pit viper, driven like a honey badger, and as talented as anyone I’ve ever been in the ring with. She was the champion for so long because she always did what she had to do in order to keep the title.
I still hate her guts, don’t get me wrong.
But I have to respect all she’s done to elevate this title that I proudly hold.
And finally, what most of you have clicked on this to read about…
“Pissgate”
This is the blackmark on my big night, isn’t it? It would be easy for me to ignore it in hopes that it would just go away… but, as the AW World Champion - it’s my job to address it.
Story time…
Back when I first broke into wrestling, we were in the middle of what many would call the “Attitude Era” - some still argue even today that it was the BEST of all eras, though I would disagree as it set women back decades.
But that’s neither here, nor there.
In that era, a match stipulation where one would have to kiss somebody’s ass if they lost, or eat a can of dog food was as normal as booking two poor women in a match that required one to rip a dress off the other. Not only was it accepted, but it was desired…
And so, this whole “loser drinks piss” thing was something that I initially dismissed as unimportant.
Then the reactions started immediately after the show went on air… At first, I didn’t understand what the problem was - yes, it’s gross. But I’ve seen this stuff more than once in my career. I was dismissive of the complaints, putting them down to people just trying to pile on because it was the trendy thing to do at the time.
But then, I stopped and listened…
I read the remarks..
Heard the complaints…
And this has changed my perspective on things.
So please, before you cut me to pieces… Here me out?
For starters, I am under the impression that the gimmick in this match (Drinking Piss) was just that… A gimmick. I’ve been told by people backstage (who will remain unnamed) that the “piss” was actually flat ginger ale. And Max Daemon, being the ABSOLUTE PRO that he is, did his part to vomit it up after he was forced to drink it.
Ginger Ale is GROSS anyway… So who can blame him?
He has also stated that it was some AI thing, not because he’s a liar… But because he’s such a professional that he’d rather let kayfabe remain intact than to tell everyone that it was a gimmick. And despite losing this match - he, more than anyone else. Is the hero of the night for his devotion to our business and his desire to do good by not just HIS fans, but ALL fans.
I have nothing but respect and admiration for Max and his craft… I don’t subscribe to his style, but I respect his devotion to his craft and think that we could ALL learn something from him in this mess.
That said… Even though the piss was gimmicked, does it make having that match stipulation ok?
The short answer is no.
Just like bra and panty matches of old… These gimmicks push us backwards as opposed to forward. Things that were acceptable 20 years ago aren’t always such a great idea today. Everyone’s outrage was not only merited, but as it turns out important. Because without popular opinion or the ability to use our voice to advocate for change, we’d still be in an era where cocaine was the #1 supplement and hating minorities was the babyface thing to do.
That said… This piss stipulation was a bad idea by somebody trying to draw eyes to a product in an ULTRA competitive landscape where there are hundreds of federations and thousands of amazing superstars out there fighting for those buyrates.
Does that make them a bad person?
In my humble opinion, no.
It makes them a person who had a bad idea.
And if we can’t give somebody a chance to learn from their mistakes and be BETTER because of them, then none of us can progress into a more enlightened era of wrestling.
So, I ask you all… Please continue to give your feedback, your opinions are important whether you’re an indie star, seasoned vet, or absolute legend. But also have some patience and allow those who have made bad decisions to learn and grow from those mistakes before you write off a whole federation and those who work their butts off to keep the lights on.
We are entering a new era here in Action Wrestling. We’ve made mistakes along the way, some of our BIGGEST stars have even decided to leave the company over this… But I can only hope that once we’ve proven that we’re able to grow from this, that they’ll decide to come back and help us become better.
We will certainly miss them all.
As champion, I will do my utmost to respect ALL of those, regardless of how they feel about me or AW - And I will work to represent not only my peers in the company, but also those who are not.
Not because I’m trying to spin something, but because I love you all. And if all of us are strong and understanding… Then none of us are weak and ignorant.
Thank you for your time.
Yours,
Tatiana Jolee
I am putting this statement out so late only because I have been in the hospital since the end of XIII. Aside from some lacerations, terrible bruising and a mild concussion, I am doing well. However, it has come to my attention in the past couple days that one of the matches at XIII has raised a level of outrage in our community…
Something called “pissgate”
I’ll get to that here soon.
First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation over all of the love and support I’ve gotten from this AMAZING community. I started in the wrestling business in 1999 as a “valet” and progressed into a would-be superstar before finally (after wrestling academy) a legit professional wrestler. I LOVE this sport - it’s my passion, my joy, and my life. And after 24 years of fighting, bleeding, sacrificing, and dedication… I HAVE FINALLY BECOME WORLD CHAMPION!!
Like… Whoa - Just saying it gives me goosebumps and overwhelms me with pride. I can finally say that “I’ve made it” - that I’ve transcended into immortality and am now amongst those who have had the privilege of representing a federation (and this community) as World Champion.
It should also be something for all of those new to the sport to aspire to… It took me 24 years, and finally I have found the mountaintop. And if I can do it, then you can do it - just as long as you never give up on that dream.
As far as the former champion, Jill Park goes…
I understand that she has taken a hiatus from the wrestling business after our brutal bloodsoaked match at XIII. Part of me expected to sit here and gloat about doing what I set out to do… But I also know that I’m only as good as she is if I stoop to her level.
So, I’ll say this… Jill Park is the longest reigning AW Champion for a reason - she’s cold and calculating like a pit viper, driven like a honey badger, and as talented as anyone I’ve ever been in the ring with. She was the champion for so long because she always did what she had to do in order to keep the title.
I still hate her guts, don’t get me wrong.
But I have to respect all she’s done to elevate this title that I proudly hold.
And finally, what most of you have clicked on this to read about…
“Pissgate”
This is the blackmark on my big night, isn’t it? It would be easy for me to ignore it in hopes that it would just go away… but, as the AW World Champion - it’s my job to address it.
Story time…
Back when I first broke into wrestling, we were in the middle of what many would call the “Attitude Era” - some still argue even today that it was the BEST of all eras, though I would disagree as it set women back decades.
But that’s neither here, nor there.
In that era, a match stipulation where one would have to kiss somebody’s ass if they lost, or eat a can of dog food was as normal as booking two poor women in a match that required one to rip a dress off the other. Not only was it accepted, but it was desired…
And so, this whole “loser drinks piss” thing was something that I initially dismissed as unimportant.
Then the reactions started immediately after the show went on air… At first, I didn’t understand what the problem was - yes, it’s gross. But I’ve seen this stuff more than once in my career. I was dismissive of the complaints, putting them down to people just trying to pile on because it was the trendy thing to do at the time.
But then, I stopped and listened…
I read the remarks..
Heard the complaints…
And this has changed my perspective on things.
So please, before you cut me to pieces… Here me out?
For starters, I am under the impression that the gimmick in this match (Drinking Piss) was just that… A gimmick. I’ve been told by people backstage (who will remain unnamed) that the “piss” was actually flat ginger ale. And Max Daemon, being the ABSOLUTE PRO that he is, did his part to vomit it up after he was forced to drink it.
Ginger Ale is GROSS anyway… So who can blame him?
He has also stated that it was some AI thing, not because he’s a liar… But because he’s such a professional that he’d rather let kayfabe remain intact than to tell everyone that it was a gimmick. And despite losing this match - he, more than anyone else. Is the hero of the night for his devotion to our business and his desire to do good by not just HIS fans, but ALL fans.
I have nothing but respect and admiration for Max and his craft… I don’t subscribe to his style, but I respect his devotion to his craft and think that we could ALL learn something from him in this mess.
That said… Even though the piss was gimmicked, does it make having that match stipulation ok?
The short answer is no.
Just like bra and panty matches of old… These gimmicks push us backwards as opposed to forward. Things that were acceptable 20 years ago aren’t always such a great idea today. Everyone’s outrage was not only merited, but as it turns out important. Because without popular opinion or the ability to use our voice to advocate for change, we’d still be in an era where cocaine was the #1 supplement and hating minorities was the babyface thing to do.
That said… This piss stipulation was a bad idea by somebody trying to draw eyes to a product in an ULTRA competitive landscape where there are hundreds of federations and thousands of amazing superstars out there fighting for those buyrates.
Does that make them a bad person?
In my humble opinion, no.
It makes them a person who had a bad idea.
And if we can’t give somebody a chance to learn from their mistakes and be BETTER because of them, then none of us can progress into a more enlightened era of wrestling.
So, I ask you all… Please continue to give your feedback, your opinions are important whether you’re an indie star, seasoned vet, or absolute legend. But also have some patience and allow those who have made bad decisions to learn and grow from those mistakes before you write off a whole federation and those who work their butts off to keep the lights on.
We are entering a new era here in Action Wrestling. We’ve made mistakes along the way, some of our BIGGEST stars have even decided to leave the company over this… But I can only hope that once we’ve proven that we’re able to grow from this, that they’ll decide to come back and help us become better.
We will certainly miss them all.
As champion, I will do my utmost to respect ALL of those, regardless of how they feel about me or AW - And I will work to represent not only my peers in the company, but also those who are not.
Not because I’m trying to spin something, but because I love you all. And if all of us are strong and understanding… Then none of us are weak and ignorant.
Thank you for your time.
Yours,
Tatiana Jolee