Gordo, the wizard of id, interviews: LuFisto
LuFisto - For fans of women’s
wrestling that name is synonymous with a woman as talented and fearless as she
is beautiful. A woman who’s been enthralling fans for almost ten years, in four
countries, with her hard hitting, strong style skills and technical acumen. A
woman whose diminutive size and beauty distract from her incredible skills,
passion and desire to perform for only as long as it takes the bell to ring and
she explodes into action. A woman courageous enough, tough
enough and skilled enough to compete (and win) in matches against men. A woman who has blazed a bloody trail of extreme violence from Canada, to Mexico, to Japan and
back that few wrestlers would dare to tread.
LuFisto - Her willingness to
take woman’s wrestling to hitherto unheard of levels of violence and
destruction have earned her the moniker: The First Lady of Hardcore.
Hailing from Quebec, Canada, she has traveled the
world, honing her skills in over 30 promotions, collecting titles, accolades
and fame. Fans who marvel at her beauty and skill,
stand in awe of her brutal hardcore violence and follow her career with a
dedication and fervor that many big name “superstars” can only wish for.
LuFisto - She is an enigma. A
dichotomy of technical skill and bone shattering violence packaged behind the
face and body of a cover girl. A woman whose smile gives little clue that
lurking within is a warrior, a fighter ready, willing and able to battle amid
light tubes, thumbtacks and barbed-wire. A woman as adept at
smashing opponents through tables as she is in multimedia and graphic design.
In this exclusive interview with the DOI’s own Gordo,
the wizard of id, LuFisto talks about her entire
career. From her humble beginnings in the small town rings of Quebec to the bright lights
of international stardom, The First Lady of Hardcore candidly discusses the
carnage, the controversies and the passion that fuels her desire to conquer
adversity on her own terms. Here now for the first time, in her own words, is
the story of wrestling’s most innovative and trend setting female warrior… the
one… the only… LuFisto!
Wizard of id: Hello LuFisto, I
appreciate you finding the time to talk with me today. I know you’re very busy.
LuFisto: No problem Gordo. As I always say, you took
the time to write, I will take the time to answer.
Wizard of id: I'm glad to see you didn’t bring any barbed wire or
light tubes with you.
LuFisto: Don’t worry, behind all that blood, there is a sweet
girl…. After all, that’s why LuFisto is Super
Hardcore Anime… Animes are sweet and cute but when
they get involved in some action… Well, that’s another story! (Winks)
Wizard
of id: (Laughing) I’ll keep that in mind. And it’s true; you’re so much more
than just “The First Lady of Hardcore.” Anyone who’s seen you perform has
witnessed talents and skills that can only result from dedication, hard work
and a real love of the game. We’re you always a fan of wrestling?
LuFisto: Not really. I remember watching it from time to time with
my grandma but the real passion for it developed when I was about 14. I just
thought it was amazing how something could combine so many things I love:
Creativity, performing and sport.
Wizard
of id: That was back in what, the 80’s, early nineties? Who were some of your
favorites back then?
LuFisto: I always liked Owen Hart because he was so funny and so
good. However, the character that really attracted me was the Undertaker. He
had that charisma and that presence that was just amazing. Later, I discovered
Japanese wrestling and fell in love with the style.
Wizard
of id: Did anyone in particular serve as inspiration for your desire to become
a wrestler yourself?
LuFisto: The Undertaker. I just wanted to be like him, He was in
control, knew what he was doing and you could feel the passion this man had for
his craft.
Wizard
of id: You’re from Quebec, Canada, which has always been
a hotbed for Indy Promotions. Did you follow the local promotions?
LuFisto: I did go to a few shows after I joined wrestling school
but that’s about it. However, after my first match, it made me appreciate the
work of Indy wrestlers. I then started to check out many shows, almost every
weekend. I just thought how amazing it was to see people with such passion
performing after a hard week working their real job for, most of the time, no
money at all… All for passion. Even if you don’t like
wrestling, you have to respect such dedication.
Wizard
of id: We’re you always athletic or into sports?
LuFisto: Not at all. I am mostly an artist so drawing was my main
thing. I also played music in a band. It’s always been about arts and
performing. I played football and baseball too but I wasn’t very dedicated. I
must say that it was mainly because I was ashamed of myself.
At close to
200 pounds, I didn’t really want people to see me. When I started playing music
in front of crowds and training for wrestling, it just motivated me to get in
shape and feel better about myself. Unfortunately, I never talked about it but
I “woke” up after my second suicide attempt. It just broke my heart to see my
mom crying that much. She is the most important person to me and I couldn’t do
such thing to her, especially after my dad passed away at only 31 years old. I
decided to kick myself right in the ass and do something with my life.
Wizard
of id: You were what, 16, 17 years old? How did your family react to the news
you wanted to be a wrestler?
LuFisto: I was 17 and I quit music for wrestling. My whole family
was devastated because they really believed I had a gift in singing. Plus, due
to all the oil, jello and naked wrestling, female
wrestlers had a very bad reputation. Therefore, it was very hard to convince my
family and friends that I really wanted to be a serious wrestler. It took years
for them to accept. Some still don’t and I don’t blame them with what we see on
TV nowadays.
Wizard
of id: You joined a training school in Sorel, Quebec, in February ‘97, how
did that come about, was it a birthday present to yourself?
LuFisto: Actually, it wasn’t a birthday present but more of a
declaration of independence. Everybody was telling me that I wouldn’t be able
to go through the classes because I was small and fat. I just wanted to prove
them wrong, so I did!
Wizard
of id: Was the training what you expected?
LuFisto: It was hard as we first learned to bump on the floor.
However, I was so committed to being better than the guys that I just couldn’t
feel the pain. I was especially amazed on how fast I was learning. Even my
teachers had very good words for me, telling people that the best student of
the class was… The girl!
I still see
them from time to time and I will always be thankful for letting me join their
class even if other students thought otherwise.
Wizard
of id: Were there other girls in the class?
LuFisto: One only and unfortunately, she quit after a few weeks.
Actually, in the end, I’m the only one who became a pro wrestler… Out of about 25 students.
Wizard
of id: You must have excelled because you wrestled your first match in June of
that same year. What do you remember about that night?
LuFisto: Ah, it was horrible in a way, very good in another. My
opponent didn’t want to take any shots, do anything… When it’s your first match
and your opponent keeps saying “no, not that”, you freak out. Plus, just before
I went out, another wrestler poured a bottle of water over my plastic outfit.
It felt very uncomfortable added to the fact that I was so nervous. It’s
definitely a match I tried to forget but once in a while, I have somebody
reminding me about it. Anyway, I survived!
Wizard
of id: You weren’t LuFisto back then. You debuted as
Lucy Fer. Was that your choice?
LuFisto: Yes but with the help of my first teacher, Pierre Marchessault. He was wrestling as the “Devil Machine” and
wanted me to start as his manager to get some experience with the crowd. After
a few discussions, we just felt that the name Lucy Fer
was fitting perfectly.
Wizard
of id: There couldn’t have been that many opponents for you in Sorel, Quebec. Did you get many
matches?
LuFisto: Well, my first match wasn’t in Sorel. Since there were not
many girls in the whole province, I had to travel from the start. Also, when I
couldn’t find any opponents, I kept on working with the crowd by managing some
wrestlers, getting involved in their matches and sometimes, acting as a special
guest referee. I never liked managing because I love getting involved in the
action but at least, I learned to interact with the crowd and especially, stop
being so shy.
Wizard
of id: It wasn’t long before you moved to Montreal and began training
with Len “Kojak” Shelley, former star of
International Wrestling Grand Prix. You’ve said in the past that he really
helped you step up your game.
LuFisto: Kojak was amazing. I was
getting bored one day training with the girls because we were always doing the
same thing. So, he took me aside to train with his son, Eric. He explained that
it was about time to get to another level and to learn to wrestle as a man,
against men. Otherwise, I would get bored of it and quit. He always told me I
was like the late Vivian Vachon which was really an
honor. He developed my technical and theatrical skills. I believe he is the one
that made me want to fight all the odds even more and push my limits to the
maximum.
Wizard
of id: This was still in 1997, right? You were wrestling more matches and even
got your first taste of working with men in the ring by competing in
inter-gender tag matches. How much of an adjustment was it to work with men in
the ring?
LuFisto: It wasn’t much of an adjustment since I had been training
with Eric for a few weeks already when it happened. It just felt natural to me
and I really enjoyed it. I felt like I was finally really accomplishing
something.
Wizard
of id: Did you experience any resistance or hesitation from the men about
locking up with a woman, especially one only 5’3” tall?
LuFisto: When I joined a new federation, almost always. I got
punched, stretched and kicked so hard, just to see how much pain I could
handle. After I had gone through the “test”, my opponents usually asked for
another fight but wow, did I get beat up. I always stood up to what I believe
though, that women could be as strong and good as the men.
Wizard
of id: Still on the topic of working with men, what it was like in the locker
room back in those days? As a woman, did you encounter any problems or
harassment?
LuFisto: Oh yeah, wrestlers trying to get into my shower;
promoters giving me their phone numbers for “other purposes than wrestling” and
the list goes on. You just have to learn to deal with it and ignore it. My main
goal has always been to be seen as an equal so I always changed in the same
locker room, covering underneath big towels and t-shirts of course! It created
some problems from time to time but I always thought it was so “fake” that girls would show their butt crack and boobs in
front of the crowd… But changed in a separate locker room! Come on…
Honestly, I
cried many nights wondering why people couldn’t see that I just wanted to be
equal as any man and treated the same way. It took time but finally, most of
the people understood what I was trying to prove. Again, I just wanted to be
seen as one of the boys and I believe I was able to achieve that goal.
I remember
one day, I was changing and a wrestler that never met me went “Woooo, you are changing here?” El Generico
who was sitting right next to me went: “What is so different seeing her in her
underwear or wrestling outfits? You see the same thing! Don’t mind LuFisto, she’s one of the boys!”
Wizard
of id: So what you’re saying is, act like a
professional and you will be treated like one?
LuFisto: You have to but sometimes, when it comes to respect, you
have to make yourself clear, you have to scream and defend your opinion even if
it creates a few problem along the way.
Wizard of id: In 1998,
you began wrestling one on one inter-gender matches regularly. How did this
come about? Was it a case of too few women opponents?
LuFisto: It all started when I was the only female wrestler in Quebec. Promoters were asking
me to manage and I was really getting bored. I didn’t feel like I was in the
business for the good reason. After all, it always has been about defying the
odds and pushing my limits. My step-father always told me that women were not
equal to men in any way and that I wouldn’t do anything good with my life. I
just couldn’t live with myself not wrestling and proving him wrong.
Therefore,
I started to wrestle in Ontario where a promoter had
no problem letting me face a few of his guys. I also did the same thing in Vermont. I worked very hard in
giving very good performances and make the crowd and the promoters happy with
my work in the squared circle. Also, for some reason, I just felt better as a
wrestler when I was fighting guys because there were more moves, more hard hits
and more high-impact wrestling… And I really enjoyed kicking their asses, of
course! (Laughs)
Wizard
of id: (Laughing) I guess kicking the crap out of men was a good thing because
your career started to take off at this time didn’t it?
LuFisto: Guess so because I started getting many e-mails from all
over and competed in championship matches… And won my first belt, the UWA
Cruiserweight Championship!
Wizard
of id: Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that a men’s title?
LuFisto: Yes, my first title was a male title. If I’m correct, I
was the first women to get such an honor in Canada. Not too bad!
Wizard
of id: That must have been quite an honor indeed.
LuFisto: Well, it was supposed to be a women's match but there were
just no girls. So, it turned into a cruiserweight match and I won the match. It
was really an honor. I am so grateful that a promoter trusted me enough to give
me that opportunity because it opened doors for women fighting men on a
one-on-one basis. I was also lucky to meet men who gave me all their confidence
and who trusted my judgment and abilities. I always say that your opponent is
like your best friend, for the 10-15 or more minutes you are in there. You have
to work together and protect each other.
Wizard
of id: 1999 was a breakout year of sorts for you, starting with a name change
to Precious Lucy and working for Jacques Rougeau, who
some fans might remember as “The Mountie.” International Wrestling 2000 or something like that. What
was it like working for Rougeau?
LuFisto: At the beginning, I was really excited to work for
somebody I had been watching on TV for so long. He gave me useful advice when
it came to TV and magazines interviews. He also encouraged me in losing the
extra pounds. Unfortunately though, he couldn’t find other girls to fight me
and didn’t want any inter-gender matches on his shows. Since I also wanted to
push the limits and pursue hardcore wrestling, I decided that it would be
better, for both of us, to leave the company.
Wizard
of id: You were starting to work for ICW at that time also. Did that conflict
with what you were doing with Rougeau’s organization?
I’ve heard he was a bit of a control freak.
LuFisto: Well, Jacques asked all his wrestlers to be exclusive to
him as I was also wrestling for ICW and having a lot of fun there. ICW is
really the place where the promoters gave me a big chance at improving my
wrestling in my own Province. It felt like family, still does today. I decided
to trust Jacques and to concentrate on his promotion even if it was
heartbreaking. ICW understood and wished me good luck.
Back at
LI2000, Jacques changed my name to Precious Lucy because Lucy Fer was too “heelish” for a baby
face. I learned that he had changed my name by reading the newspaper! (Laughs)
He also was preparing our matches months before they would actually occur…
Unfortunately, he could only give us 2-3 shows a year. So yes, he was
controlling about everything but when you owe a company, you can do what you
want, right? (Winks)
Since I
couldn’t wrestle a lot and I missed wrestling regularly against different
opponents so much, I just felt that staying there was neither good for me or
him because I couldn’t give him 110% in the ring.
Wizard
of id: So it was more a case of committing to your other career in graphic
design and wanting more in-ring action than Rougeau’s
2 or 3 shows a year could provide?
LuFisto: No. I just felt that I wasn’t wrestling from the good
reason anymore. To me, wrestling is all about having fun, taking risks and
pushing your own limits. Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to do so at
LI2000.
Wizard
of id: It didn’t have anything to do with Rougeau’s
crazy angles and creative ideas? I heard he wanted you to shave your head bald
or something?
LuFisto: Yeah, that was the last offer Jacques made to me before I
decided to leave. In order to fight men, since he couldn’t find any women
available at that time anyway, I had to lose a haircut match. I have nothing
against losing but there is no way I could shave my head bald as I was, back
then, a fashion boutique manager. People who know me well can tell you that I’m
open-minded for just about anything in this business. However, when it means
that I could lose my job, that’s another story. After all Gordo, being bald might
work for you, but it doesn’t work for me! (Laughs)
Wizard
of id: (Laughs) Well thanks, but I’m not sure going bald was exactly an option
for me. Okay… While in ICW you continued to hone your skills by training with
the Proulx brothers and began competing for the first
time in more hardcore style matches. Was that their suggestion or your idea?
LuFisto: It just happened. I was wrestling Serge Proulx, the top heel at ICW, and he just started to throw
me into the guardrails, hit me with chairs and other stuff. It kept on going
after this match.
Wizard
of id: Was that a gradual step or did you just get in there and starting
breaking stuff over people’s heads?
LuFisto: It was gradual. I get a feeling I just can’t explain when
I do hardcore. Sometimes, it’s very dangerous and scary but I need this
adrenaline. The first time I bled was indeed once again against Serge Proulx for the ICW Provincial title that I won. From then,
I just had to try new stuff and each new match, there had to be something
extra, more dangerous.
Wizard
of id: Another men’s division title! It’s no wonder that you started getting
noticed, not only in Quebec, but elsewhere too.
What was it like getting your first taste of mainstream celebrity?
LuFisto: I started to be featured in magazines and TV show. It was
unreal. Plus, I was so shy. But the more people were seeing me on TV, the more
I was getting booked against great opponents so it really helped me to get
better at talking in front of an audience and to be a better wrestler.
Wizard
of id: You also started working more shows in the U.S. and did a huge Western
Canadian tour that year.
LuFisto: Yeah, I started to work a lot up in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts plus I did a one month
tour in Western Canada, from Manitoba to British-Columbia.
Wizard
of id: What about the travel? You must be an old pro at it by now but did you
find it difficult then?
LuFisto: It was. You make mistakes; you don’t sleep much. I’ve
always been a loner but you have to be at peace with yourself to enjoy the
solitude. Back then, I wasn’t.
Wizard
of id: Obviously, you’ve managed to maintain a rigorous workout routine because
you stay in great shape. Was this pure dedication born of your earlier weight
loss training? What kind of fitness schedule do you follow when traveling?
LuFisto: Honestly, I don’t train much on the road unless I’m gone
for a long time. I just try to watch what I eat. My weight goes up and down
easily. I just have to deal with this. But yes, not getting back to 200 pounds
is always a motivation to be careful. If I see that I gained a few pounds, I’ll
work hard right away to lose them.
Back at
home, in what I could call a perfect training week, I train 5 days a week,
1hr30min of cardio and weights. I have to be careful though. I was training so
much that recently, I developed a blood clot in my right calf.
Wizard
of id: It’s a good thing you stayed in shape because things really started
rolling for you in 2000. You toured with the NWA in Nashville and returned to Quebec to win the ICW
Provincial title for a second time. What else was going on for you that year?
LuFisto: Well, I will always remember my first cage match, another
step to good hardcore wrestling as I was noticed by the Hardcore Wrestling
Federation in Ontario.
Wizard
of id: Was that against a man also?
LuFisto: The cage match was a triple-threat, me being the only
women in there.
Wizard
of id: So what goes through your mind climbing into a cage for the first time?
Can you describe what it’s like wrestling that type of match?
LuFisto: My heart was pounding so hard I thought it was going to
explode. It was really something special, that I can’t really describe. I
always wanted to be part of a cage match so it was like a dream come true.
Wizard
of id: You started getting a lot more television exposure at this time also,
both in the ring and as an interview subject. Many people would be a bit
star-struck by the attention but you always seemed able to use it to further
your career.
LuFisto: What was very fun about all this is that one interview
led to the other and my goal was to get better and better every time I would be
invited to a new TV show. I would watch the interview and pin point what I had
done, good or bad. Then, learn from the mistake and start over.
Wizard
of id: You debuted in the Hardcore Wrestling Federation, based in Ontario, Canada and started competing
regularly in ultra-violent matches involving thumbtacks and barbed wire. This
is where you got the nickname “The First Lady of Hardcore” right?
LuFisto: Yes. It came from an article written after a show. I just
loved the name so I kept it.
Wizard
of id: And were these ultra-violent matches always against men? I mean, no
offence, but couldn’t you find some women to beat up?
LuFisto: Well, it was very hard to find a good woman in those
days. You must know what I’m talking about, right? (Laughs)
Wizard
of id: (Laughing) You have no idea.
LuFisto: (Laughs) Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I was only
wrestling men. Unfortunately, there weren’t that many women in the area and
none of the few I knew wanted to get involved in such matches…. And I don’t
blame them! Sometimes, I really think I’m crazy.
Wizard
of id: So it was around this time period that you decided to stop wrestling
other women?
LuFisto: I thought about it for a while but yes, it’s around that
period that I completely stopped wrestling other women.
Wizard
of id: That was a decision that continues to raise questions among fans. Can
you elaborate on why you chose to stop working with women in the ring?
LuFisto: After 2 concussions, a broken nose and a broken wrist
that occurred when opponents dropped me on my head, messed up moves, didn’t
know the name of the maneuvers, I had enough. Promoters were booking girls with
only a few hours of training just to get a women’s match on their card. So,
since I wanted to keep on wrestling for years to come, I just decided that for
my own well-being, it would be better to just stop and keep on wrestling guys
only. It was this or early retirement.
Wizard
of id: So it wasn’t an elitist attitude; it was an honest concern, not just for
your safety, but the well being of your opponents?
LuFisto: Exactly. And to be honest, I just got scared of being
hurt again.
Wizard
of id: Not to hammer on this, but some fans are still looking for an answer
about a specific individual. Can you answer them, once and for all, why
wouldn't you fight Mickie Knuckles?
LuFisto: It wasn't a question about who I was fighting; it was
just that I didn't know this person. I asked for a tape from the fed who asked
for this match but got no answer. I won't take any risks when it comes to
wrestling with objects. Injuries and bad cuts are happening so fast. It’s
really nothing personal against this person. I’m sorry if some people thought
so but it really wasn’t the case.
Wizard
of id: Speaking of injuries and getting beat up, you
take some pretty severe punishment in the ring. How do you cope with the pain?
Surely it doesn’t stop hurting the minute the show is over.
LuFisto: Hell no! The next morning is even worse… And the day
after, hell! To answer your question, my body just amazes me. I have a very
high tolerance to pain.
Wizard of id: In 2001,
you made a lot of appearances in Maine, wrestling for Tony Atlas, can you describe what it was like working with him?
I’ve heard he’s a nice guy and very supportive.
LuFisto: Tony was great. Always smiling, joking. Indeed, he was
very supportive with his workers and always pushed us to become better
performers.
Wizard
of id: You continued to appear in ICW and even won another men’s title, this
time the tag team championship.
LuFisto: Yeah and with another girl, Sexxxy
Julie. The first-ever all female tag team to win men’s gold in Canada… Maybe elsewhere too
but I couldn’t say.
Wizard
of id: In July of that year you defeated J.C. Owens in a no-holds-barred match
for the ASW Canadian title, a guy who outweighed you by 300lbs. That had to be
a career highlight.
LuFisto: What is funny is that I freaked out when I learned I was
fighting Owens. I had no idea what I would do against such a big opponent. In
the end, the match went so great that we fought twice again after this one. It
is really a match to remember.
Wizard
of id: I’m detecting a pattern of you achieving improbable goals for a woman
wrestler, a standard that you still continue to this day. It was certainly
making you famous in Canada and the North Eastern
states but were you surprised to find you were famous in other countries too?
LuFisto: I was and always am so amazed by all the e-mails I get
from all over the world. One thing that really freaked me out is when a fan
from Germany wrote to me saying
that he saw a “Torrie fears LuFisto”
sign at a local WWE show. I was like… WOW. (Laughs)
Wizard
of id: 2002 saw some major career highs for you, starting with your first tour
of Mexico for LLF. Were you
prepared for the media frenzy surrounding the arrival of The First Lady of
Hardcore to Mexican soil?
LuFisto: No, not at all. In Mexico, it’s like being a
star in Hollywood. People are waiting
for you after the show, jump on you after a match to get your autograph and
picture. It’s amazing how the people down there appreciate all the work and
effort of the luchadors.
Wizard
of id: Back in Canada, your in-ring violence
reached new extremes as you began competing in fans-bring-the-weapons matches
but your most formidable opponent came from outside the ring - the Ontario Government. What
happened there?
LuFisto: I was scheduled for a Tag team deathmatch
in Toronto. A rival promoter called the OAC and
filed a complaint with an old regulation that stated that men and women
couldn’t compete against each other. The promoter had to unbook
me; otherwise, he would have lost his license.
Wizard
of id: You took a stand by fighting that decision through the Ontario Human Rights
Commission. I guess it’s not much of a stretch for a woman used to battling men
in ultra-violent wrestling matches to take on the Ontario Government. How’s that
match-up going? Are you close to resolution?
LuFisto: I got the phone call I was waiting for since more than
three years on February 26th… I won! The regulation will be
modified!
Wizard
of id: The following year you returned to Mexico for a couple of tours.
Did you encounter any problems adjusting to the different style?
LuFisto: It was something different indeed as Mexican workers are
working on the opposite side. Plus, I had to adapt to working with people who
didn’t speak my language. I learned enough to get through matches but it wasn’t
easy at the beginning. Also, matches are mostly 2 out of 3 falls,
there are no tags and other differences you just have to deal with.
Wizard of id: You
introduced Mexican fans to your signature brand of mayhem and destruction by
competing against Mexican star Princessa Sugey in a hardcore light tubes match. That match and those
first tours of Mexico must have been very
rewarding for you. You were an international star the world was beginning to
take serious notice of.
LuFisto: It was not a light tube match but a simple hardcore
match. However, I did bring some lights in there, of course! It was really
something because hardcore wrestling done by female stars was non-existent up
in North Mexico. Actually, the main reason why LLF contacted
me was to bring this style to their hometown. Princessa
Sugey was the perfect choice for an opponent as she
was willing to take all the shots and she is a great worker. She is the reason
why I started to wrestle women again. I have total confidence in her abilities.
Wizard
of id: 2003 was also the year you changed your name to “LuFisto.”
It certainly fits you better than ‘Precious Lucy’ even if many fans don’t have
a clue what it means. What prompted the change?
LuFisto: When I got called by AtoZ to
wrestle in Japan, they told me that
there was another Lucy that was going to visit Japan soon (Lucy Furr aka Daphney)
and they didn’t want to confuse the fans. So, they asked me to change my name
which I happily did. I always hated the name Precious Lucy… Just didn’t fit me.
LuFisto comes from “Lucy”, my former name and “MacPhisto”
from Batman, a cool devilish character portrayed by Bono of U2. Plus, in Star
Wars, there is Jedi Fisto… So…
Here it was: LuFisto!
Wizard
of id: Being invited by AtoZ to tour Japan must have been very
exciting.
LuFisto: Oh yes! Wrestling in Japan was my most precious
dream as I've always seen the Japanese women wrestler as superior to any other
wrestler out there.
Wizard
of id: While there, you trained with Mariko Yoshida and Akino.
How did that differ from your previous training in Canada?
LuFisto: The most important thing I learned from them was to work
with an important injury, having no meniscuses and ACL in my right knee. They
thought me how to work around the handicap. To be honest, I’m not even supposed
to wrestle anymore but I love it too much. The training was different from Canada in many ways. They
bump on the side instead of the back. They hit forearms a different way and
they take front bumps on their stomach and quads which was really useful for
Miss No Knee!
Wizard
of id: It certainly added to your skills, you’re one of the most talented women
wrestlers in the World. A fact often overshadowed by your legendary hardcore
status.
LuFisto: Well, thanks a lot. I worked very hard to deal with the
knee handicap. In fact, being injured made me a better wrestler. The training
in Japan showed me a
high-impact strong-stiff style I am so comfortable with. I just love to wrestle
with this new style. It made me complete as a worker.
Unfortunately
as you mentioned, even if I only do hardcore 3 to 5 times a year, people are
talking about those matches so much that some think it is the only thing I do.
Wizard
of id: You lived in the Arison Dojo at that time, was
that a difficult transition for you?
LuFisto: Again, as in Mexico, there was a language
barrier. Plus, there are some things I can’t do in training and in life in
general because of the injury and I always feel like shit. With all the new
recruits, I felt like an old fart sometimes. (Laughs) Besides the fact that
sometimes there was no food and that I couldn’t do much because I had to save
my money to pay for my upcoming classes in College, I enjoyed the experience…
Actually, that’s were LuFisto became what she is
today: The Super Hardcore Anime!
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3192/lufistojapan4rb.jpg
Wizard of id: What was
it like wrestling as a ‘Gaijin’? I understand that Japanese promoters can be
very restrictive regarding what they allow foreigners to do in the ring.
LuFisto: I felt held back a lot as they were telling me everything
I had to do. It’s hard to deal with when the main reason why you are in
wrestling is to surpass your own limits and you can. However, you just have to
deal with it and accept the facts; that’s the way they work.
Wizard
of id: Even with those creative restraints imposed upon you, you still managed
to captivate and enthrall the Japanese fans and media. Do you have any favorite
opponents or matches you’d like to relate?
LuFisto: Working Gami was cool because
we had the same set of moves. In the last tour I did with IWGP, my matches
against Aja Kong and Amazing Kong just felt great. It
was an honor to work with people I looked up to growing up in the business.
Wizard
of id: You had to cut your tour a little short didn’t you? You tore your knee
up?
LuFisto: Not exactly. I had already my right knee that was
completely gone and one day, we were practicing high flying moves on ropes. I
know I shouldn’t do any of these maneuvers but I just wanted to try anyway… So
as I ran and jumped on the ropes, my other knee, the left one, bent backwards
because, of course, the right one couldn’t support the weight… I went on with
the tour but there was too much pain in the end. I did one last match against
Leo-Na with my leg all taped up and left a month early.
Wizard
of id: It’s a testament to your physical conditioning that it didn’t slow you
down for too long. You returned to Mexico in December of that
year and won the LLF Extreme title. You defended that title successfully over
the next two years, do you still hold it?
LuFisto: Yes, still the champ!
Wizard
of id: In 2004, you and Dru Onyx started your own
training school, the NWA Torture Chamber. Did that seem like a natural career
progression for you to make?
LuFisto: I had trained people before, here and there so when the
opportunity came to train with such a committed individual as Dru Onyx, I couldn’t refuse.
Wizard
of id: What can students of yours expect? Do you work skills from the basics up
or is it an introductory course in hardcore ultra-violence?
LuFisto: I start with bumps, a lot of bumps… All
of them. Then we work on technique and catch-as-you-can wrestling. I’m
not teaching hardcore wrestling. Hardcore is an option when you are experienced
enough as a wrestler to spice up your match. There is a fine line between
hardcore wrestling and garbage. I don’t want to cross it. I don’t want to throw
stuff at my opponents; I want to wrestle with weapons, on weapons.
Wizard
of id: Through your school, you’ve introduced some very exciting young talents
to the ring, many of whom exhibit the famous ‘LuFisto
work ethic’ of giving their all for the enjoyment of the fans. You must be very
proud of them.
LuFisto: Every time I see somebody I trained, or gave simple advice
to, having fun in the ring, it makes me happy. I feel like I did something good
for a few people.
Wizard
of id: And somewhere in all that, you found the time to win the SAW Heavyweight
title.
LuFisto: Yes, at the beginning of the year and I held the title
until I had to forfeit it because I couldn’t defend it due to various tours.
Wizard
of id: You continued to break new ground in 2005, raising the bar yet again
with international tours and unheard of before accomplishments, one of which
was facing Ray Belcebu in the first-ever inter-gender
Hardcore match in Mexico. What kind of a rush
was that, introducing a whole country to something new?
LuFisto: I was so nervous. Plus, I had another match right after,
a ladder match at LLF so I had to get through this one with no major cuts or
injuries. Thank God, I survived!
Wizard
of id: You also took on Triple Champion Joe Lider in
the first-ever inter-gender Light Tubes match in Mexico. Let’s talk about that
match for a minute because it’s probably the greatest inter-gender hardcore
match that most people have never heard of. Was Lider
pumped for it or hesitant… did he have any idea what he was in for?
LuFisto: He’s the one who asked for the match after he had seen me
against Sugey at the first NGX event. He really
wanted to wrestle me apparently. What an honor!
Wizard
of id: He certainly didn’t hold back when the bell rang and neither did you.
You guys kicked the crap out of each other and the crowd was wild!
LuFisto: I always tell my opponent to hit me as of they were
hitting any other opponent. I believe that if you are a female wrestling
against men, you should get hit with their full power and you should hit them
as hard as you can too. It’s a fight and if you can’t handle it and it looks
bad, maybe inter-gender matches are not for you. It has to look good! And yes,
the crowd was wild. It’s indeed one of the best memories I had in wrestling.
Wizard
of id: That whole match was off the charts! I gotta
tell ya, that slam you took off the apron near the
end of the match was probably the sickest bump I’ve ever seen a woman endure.
LuFisto: As I mentioned before, it’s always about pushing the
limits. In 2003 at ICW, I took a sunset power bomb from the apron through a
light tube table and landed on the concrete floor… I had to beat that with Joe Lider so I went for a Spanish Fly
from the apron, through light tubes onto the concrete floor!
Wizard
of id: Back in Canada, you exhibited more of
your other wrestling skills by winning the first ever Women’s Super 8 on
September 4th, in Quebec City.
LuFisto: Yeah and what most people don’t know is what happened the
night before at CCW in Quebec City. I was wrestling
Handsome JF and suffered a MAJOR concussion. I went to the hospital and they
wanted to keep me for the night as I needed to go through tests since it was a
very bad one. I knew I had to wrestle the next day so I asked to sign release
papers…
The next
day, I wrestled three matches in the afternoon and won the Tournament. At
night, I was wrestling again in a no-holds-barred match. I was really fucked up
but again, survived! (Laughs)
Wizard
of id: You also became the first woman to compete for the NWA Canadian Tag Team
Championship. How did that feel, being able to showcase your skills at such a
prestigious event like the 57th annual NWA Convention? Your partner
was no slouch either.
LuFisto: It was quite special. Plus I was teaming up with Tank who
used to be a top opponent for me. He is such a gentleman and always trusted my
abilities and ideas. He’s a big man of 335 pounds and he has no problem
wrestling me. He is always happy when he knows we will be working each other.
Plus, we always come up with crazy spots. So yes, the NWA Convention is
something I will remember especially since there were great reviews about our match
and that people were so surprised to see that the girl coming down to the ring
with Tank wasn’t just a manager, but his partner! (Laughs)
Wizard
of id: 2005 also saw you return to Japan, this time for IWGP.
Who were some of your opponents on that tour?
LuFisto: I already mentioned Aja Kong
and Amazing Kong but I also wrestled Ariel, Rebecca Knox, Devil Masami and
Jaguar Yokota.
Wizard
of id: Speaking of opponents, is there anyone in particular, male or female,
that you’d like to face in the ring?
LuFisto: It will never happen but Chris Benoit would be a dream
come true!
