Killer Kelly is best known for her time at NXT UK, and was recently announced as a new coach at wXw Academy, the training school for Germany’s Westside Xtreme Wrestling, also heading the first-ever official wXw Women’s Class.
Kristen Ashly of Bell To Belles chatted with Kelly, catching up with the Portugal wrestler on what she’s been up to since COVID-19 put a halt to the wrestling scene.
Kelly shared how she has been holding up, since the pandemic completely changed plans for many wrestlers.
“I’ve had my ups and downs, to be completely transparent. The first months were very difficult to me, because I quarantined completely alone. No human contact whatsoever. But after some real bad days, I was able to find my inner strength and motivation—[I] began working out again, started a Twitch Channel and had a schedule.
Then gyms began to open here in Germany, which was a breeze of fresh air, followed by wrestling training coming back, little by little. My mental health is still struggling. I still have weeks where the bad days are more than the good ones, but I’m managing. It’s hard, because I’m still away from my loved ones, and I have no fixed source of income. But I’ll keep my fingers crossed, so that soon I can see my family and my boyfriend, and hopefully I can have my career back.”
“But after some real bad days, I was able to find my inner strength and motivation—[I] began working out again, started a Twitch Channel and had a schedule.”
– Killer Kelly
Before COVID-19 stopped wrestling in its tracks, Kelly had be scheduled to appear at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III, slated for April 2 in Ybor City, Florida. The event follows shoot-style in a ring with no ropes, with a win only possible by knockout or submission. Many were disappointed the show had to be cancelled, including Kelly.
“That event is literally my dream scenario for wrestling, and I can’t wait to wrestle (and kick ass) at Bloodsport III. I’m hopeful, and Barnett said that whenever it’s possible, we will do it. But, safety first.”
On June 18, women’s wrestling took a stand in a big way with the Speaking Out movement, giving a voice to those who had been abused by individuals within the wrestling business. Kelly spoke on how the movement is not only needed for healing, but needed in order to make wrestling a safe place.
“I feel like this movement was something that was needed a long time ago. Women and men need to be able to voice their concerns about what bothers them and makes them feel uncomfortable.
Bullying and any sort of harassment have no place in wrestling or anywhere else in the world. People cannot be silenced any longer, and I think that’s amazing. Wrestling will be a safer place because of the people who spoke out.
Now people aren’t afraid of speaking, and in my opinion, it has created a place where people will look out for each other more and make other people think very, very hard before saying or doing anything considered wrong. I’m sure this movement will provide a safer environment, for everyone.”
“Women and men need to be able to voice their concerns about what bothers them and makes them feel uncomfortable.“
– Killer Kelly
Though the industry can agree that safety is important for the future of wrestling, not much else about the future of the sport seems to be definite. Kelly talked about her plans for her future in wrestling.
“Since I’m in Germany, I don’t have many plans. The only thing that I’ve done was some tapings for a weekly show of my home promotion wXw which is called Shotgun, and we are planning to film a second season plus a marquee event called Shortcut to the Top. “
“I’m very excited about those tapings, because even it being just a weekend, it’s a weekend where it feels like everything is okay and back to normal.“
– Killer Kelly
“I’m very excited about those tapings, because even it being just a weekend, it’s a weekend where it feels like everything is okay and back to normal. It’s amazing for the fans to watch it and zone out about the world, but also tremendous for the wrestlers who can do what they love once again.”
Catch Killer Kelly on wXw Shotgun 2020, a ten-episode wrestling series filled with matches and backstage segments. Currently released episodes can be found here.
Return to Bell To Belles for more interviews, catching up with your favorite female wrestlers.
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