OUT OF GIMMICK:
Hi, everyone!My name is Michelle and I am a huge women's wrestling and professional wrestling art fan!
I had always searched a way to express my love for all the components of this business and especially my passion for women's wrestling and its evolution through the years. That's why I created AWOW partially!
Also, I love the booking process, the development of the storylines and rivalries, the strategies, and the planning of someone's path to greatness.
Today I have the opportunity to present my Fantasy Booking own character that I had created in the late 2000s when I started to watch WWE and I was thirsty for some women's wrestling which was limited at the time, especially on Bulgarian's TV.
So here is 'Michelle Barkley'! The Canadian star with Bulgarian heritage!!!...
Let's dive deep into the character!
Have fun!
IN CHARACTER:
Michelle Barkley and the new trip to Mexico where everything begins:
MLW!!!
Mexican Luchadors Wrestling!
Michelle Barkley officially announced her postponing of every current plan for more than two months, just to go back to the Mexican promotion where her career started.
'I have delayed everything in MWC (her wrestling school/promotion) and partially all of my work towards AWW (All Women's Wrestling), to go back to MLW, for a two months adventure with a new gimmick! I am so excited about it! It's a returning to my roots'...
Her new gimmick demands for some new makeover. Black or red, scar-like make-up lines on her left eye and a new nickname - Shell/y Nightshade!
'I love the sound of the word 'nightshade'! It's a poisonous plant, you know with red or black fruits. All parts of it are poisonous... So I needed to be that poisonous heel, with make-up in red or black on her eye. I didn't want to use a mask, because somehow this is mostly a Mexican tradition and I didn't want to mess up with it! All the time I was training and fighting in Mexico/MLW, I paid this form of respect, while I was allowed to design a mask on my own. For me, it wasn't right.
The Nightshade's make-up is sort of a nice compromise!'
How did she get to the idea?:
'It was spontaneous... and really girly (lol)! I was playing with the make-up, like a little child (eyes rolling) and just draw that veins alike lines at first. It was inapplicable for MWC's needs, so I just decided to keep the idea in my mind.
I liked the nickname 'Nightshade' but there is a wrestler who uses it as well, so I use the trick by adding the shorten version of my name to it - Shelly or Shell Nightshade. Still thinking about the variation, I think it might be 'Shell Nightshade'.
So, I just talked with a friend in MLW - I am a nostalgic person and I have some contacts in there and asked for an opening. If they need some North American talent. He told me that they are actually planning some events and they are constantly inviting North Americans to fight their men and women. He asked me if I have something in mind and I just come with my idea for 'Shell Nightshade' that poisoned by rage female heel, with a make-up mark on her eye. Sent him some pics. He loved them and the idea, the management of MLW also loved it and here I am - packing my bags for a two-three months stay in Mexico.'
How does she feel?:
About being perceived as a powerhouse in Mexico and the USA:
Is she going to bring a new move set to MLW:
'Guys, that is where it started. Here I was training. Here I won my first professional wrestling title ('MLW Reigna del Reignas'). I've really missed the atmosphere in here. The pulse, the passion of the Lucha Libre, and its fans.
Now I am temporary coming back, with a new 'ruda' gimmick and I just can't wait to see what will happen... I am soooo curious about the booking! I hope to win a title as they have expanded their women's division opportunities with a tag team and mixed tag team belts! I really have an eye on these belts! (lol)'
About being perceived as a powerhouse in Mexico and the USA:
'Well, people constantly think that if you are tall, way too tall than the usual stereotype of female wrestler and you have some well-displayed muscles, that you are a powerhouse. Powerhouse demands weight as well. I am ashamed but I really gained some weight and I am 90 kg, desperately trying to lose it.
I think that this perception has always come from a combination of height and character. I am several heads over most of my opponents, even men, and I put some hard-hitting and mean streak in the ring, even when I am a babyface. I am agile and people mistook it for powerhouse's rough and raw strength. Actually. I learned how to pretend to be a powerhouse there in Mexico!
Overall, I am not that powerful and I will share a secret I love to elevate my 'smaller' colleagues, by giving them an 'OMG' victories over me. It's part of the business.'
Is she going to bring a new move set to MLW:
'Oh, my moves set is something that is constant development. People thought that I will be another tall girl with some kicks and classic moves. When I did the moonsault for the first time they were all like 'Wow'!!!Her plans when she gets back:
Oh, I am still using a lot of kicks - it's logical. My legs are my asset, my weapon, and my weakness, at the same time. But I don't give up on trying new and more risky or more interesting moves. I will bring to MLW a lot of submissions as a heel, some dirty moves, and my core set as a foundation. Mostly dirty tricks and moves.'
'I am so excited to work on AWW! To work with so many great names, to book, mostly to be behind the scene.
You know that with MWC I am mostly into the action, but I would really love to be behind the curtain developing rivalries, planning matches, etc.
About MWC - you know that there is a storyline planned that will be a totally new turn for me. I will reveal that it's more about managing others than being involved in an in-ring action. Well, I won't throw my wrestling boots in the closet, but I am really excited. It's massive and I will keep you in touch with all things happening with my forthcoming blog!
Also, I should make several announcements as a part of the AWW GM's board soon!'
