To celebrate a historical year for women’s wrestling, in collaboration with Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Bell To Belles interviewed over 20 women who have ranked on this year’s PWI 500 ranking, creating the “Women of the 2021 PWI 500” Interview Series. To empower women in wrestling even more, some of the interviews were conducted by the talented women who make up wrestling media.
Trish Adora, who ranked #44 on the 2021 PWI 500, spoke with Kristen Ashly of Bell To Belles on being the woman to rank higher than any other before her on the PWI 500, “The Life of Trish Adora”, and wrestling internationally.
KA: First, we want to congratulate you on ranking on the 2021 PWI 500! Without revealing the exact ranking, we can tell you that you have earned the highest ranking ever on the PWI 500 for a woman. How does it feel to once again be recognized for your incredible work?
TA: It’s such an incredible feeling to be able to have everything come together like it has. This year has been really crazy for me personally and professionally, but ranking as high as I have has been a real treat for me and my community.
KA: It’s been a year for the record books for you. The title you’ve held for over 500 days, the Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling World Championship, was recognized by PWI as an official world title. How does that feel, to be a world champ?
TA: It’s very validating of the hard work that I’ve put in, that Jonny Xross and F1GHT Club has been putting in even before we started wrestling. It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve only just started.
KA: IWTV featured you in their new original series, which they titled “The Life of Trish Adora” this year. The series had some incredible moments that let fans really get to know you. How was that experience for you?
TA: It was such a surreal experience. It was hard to look at the footage at first during filming, because there was so much going on with my mom, my mental health, my personal life, and my career. I watched my eyes dimming and me getting frustrated, and aggravated and sad. But it doesn’t define me, and there is hope, and that’s my overall message. I’m hoping that came though in my episode.
KA: You’ve really become a shining light for representation in wrestling, and even more so over the last year. Do you think WOC are properly represented in wrestling? How do we improve that?
TA: There’s a long way to go as far representation goes, but having more women in training positions, writing positions, talent relations, etc., would be a huge turn for the better. I’m hoping to live that example, as well.
KA: One of the coolest moments, in our opinion, over your last year, is the 60 Minute Iron Match you competed in with Tony Deppen. Considering your career in intergender wrestling, are intergender matches an important part of your career, or is it just simply business as usual?
TA: For me, wrestling any and all competitors has been par for the course for my entire life. I have five brothers, so for me, I’ve always assimilated into being just like one of the guys, so to speak. Wrestling was one of the first times that I’ve felt “othered” about mixed gender competition. But, I’ve stayed the course and it’s paid off.
KA: During the evaluation period, you started competing for ROH during their Women’s Division Wednesday. Can you share how that journey has been for you? Will you be sticking around ROH?
TA: Ring of Honor has been such a lovely experience and I’m happy to have been apart of the women’s division. As of right now, I’m looking to expand my horizons and travel the world, and wrestle as much as I can. It would be nice to do that under the Ring of Honor banner, though.
KA: We’re sure you’re getting incredibly sick of the question, but we have to ask: any chance we see you on TV anywhere else?
TA: I would like to cultivate a relationship between independent and TV wrestling, but as far as expanding my horizons go, that mostly means overseas action.
KA: We really appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions, and really enjoyed looking over your career for the past year. Are there any future plans you want to share?
TA: I am hoping to continue to train, and keep my momentum going. I want to debut at new places. I want to continue to move the needle in ways people never thought possible. I want to wrestle all over the world. I want to defend my World Championship all over the world!
I [will] also keep a heavy importance on mental health. Making sure I feel as good emotionally is just as important as physically. I appreciate you all. Thank you!
Be sure to follow Trish Adora on Twitter @TrishAdora202.
Order the digital version, or pre-order the print edition, of the 2021 PWI 500 issue at pwi-online.com. Follow PWI on Twitter @OfficialPWI.
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