The Hammer

TNA STAR IS HAPPY DUSTY ISN'T THE BOOKER, THINKS TNA IS A THREAT TO WWE, COMMENTS ON NEW TALENT IN THE COMPANY AND MORE
by Wrestlemag.com @ 5:30:00 PM on 2/23/2006


The beautiful Traci Brooks spoke to www.Wrestlemag.com on Tuesday evening to discuss her career, the success of TNA and much more…
First off, Traci, how did you break into the business?

I won the Toronto Sunshine Calendar Contest and was named Miss June 2000. To promote the calendar I was a Toronto Sunshine Girl, and in my bio I wrote to be the next WWE (then WWF) Superstar. I then was given a contact number for Sully’s Gym in Toronto, and trained there for about two years. From there, a former student of Sully’s - Rob Fuego, aka El Fuego, opened up “Squared Circle� in Toronto and that’s where I continued my training.

As a kid I know you were a huge WWF fan, but at that point did you ever think to yourself that you wanted to be involved in wrestling at all?

Yes! Since the very first time I watched wrestling, I dreamed about being a wrestler.

After making your pro debut back in 2001, you debuted in Border City Wrestling the following year before joining TNA in 2003. With Scott D’Amore being involved with both promotions, did he play a part in you appearing in TNA?

Scott D’Amore is the reason whyI am in TNA! I owe a lot to Scott.

Shortly after joining TNA you were revealed as Shane Douglas’ valet. How were you enjoying your spell in TNA around this time?

It was the best time of my wrestling career. Shane taught me a lot and still teaches me a lot He’s done so much for me.

Obviously at the end of 2003, the goal was for TNA to survive first of all, and then work on a TV deal. Do you remember much about how optimistic people were about TNA’s future back then?

The TNA locker room has always been optimistic. As for fans - there will always be negative people. I just ignore them and giggle to myself everyday because TNA has proven them wrong time and time again.

2004 saw you debut with Ring of Honor as well working for several promotions in between your TNA dates. Did you prefer working in any one particular promotion?

I just love to wrestle. Every promotion is different, and I learn something everywhere I go.

Along the way you became aligned on-screen with Dusty Rhodes during his spell as TNA “DOA". Dusty has since parted ways and is now part of WWE’s booking team. Did you feel TNA made the right decision when the time came for him to step down as a booker?

Yes!

You’re the booker and you’ve the chance to sign a wrestler to TNA. Who do you choose?

One person I would sign for sure would be Jessica Dalton, who works as ODB. I think she’s very underrated. She is an amazing talent and changes with the time.

On the subject of people moving from TNA to WWE and vice versa, how much of a benefit do you feel guys like Team 3D, Rhino and Christian Cage have been to TNA over the past few months?

They have been a great asset to TNA and to the locker room. There are no egos there, just the love of wrestling and wanting TNA to succeed.

With TNA set to be moving to Thursday evenings on Spike TV very shortly, do you feel that the time when TNA can be a serious threat to WWE is growing closer, or is it still something of a pipedream?

I definitely think that we are a threat to them. Competition is needed in the world too. It makes everyone work harder and perform at their best.

Finally, what does the future hold for Traci Brooks?

A long career entertaining TNA fans! Thanks so much for the interview and please continue to watch and support TNA…

For more on Traci Brooks, check out her website at www.tnatracibrooks.com