DATE:July 2002
COMPANY: etonline.com
AUTHOR:

ET: Is this the first time you've had to lace up your wrestling boots in a while?

CHYNA:Yeah. I have been waiting for the moment and I'm pretty excited. Most people know that I left the World Wrestling Federation as of last May. It was a career choice based on what I thought was in my best interest, opportunity-wise, financially.

But, due to the fact that the U.S. is pretty much composed of the World Wrestling Federation if you wrestle here, there weren't a lot of options for me. Over the past year I have been doing numerous appearances ... still working out everyday and maintaining my physique. I was approached by New Japan, and they asked me if I wanted to consider wrestling with them. I hadn't even thought about that possibility ... but New Japan is the biggest wrestling federation in Japan. Mr. ANTONIO INOKI (the founder) is a figurehead of tremendous success there. People may recognize him from the famous fight in '76 when he fought MUHAMMAD ALI. He has world-class fighters who not only are entertainers, but most of these guys are the real deal. World-class Jujitsu masters. Proud fighters!

I happen to be the first woman in the 30-year history of New Japan that Mr. Inoki is hiring and I couldn't say no! We're leading a new generation of young men and women to see something different and it will help it filter over into the United States!

ET: Are you gonna kick butt in Japan?

JOANIE: Everyone knows I'm gonna kick butt in Japan -- when I lace up the boots ... watch out!

ET: Tell us a little bit about your opposition.

CHYNA: This is gonna be tough, no doubt about it. I've been off for a year. Obviously, my physique and fitness is everything to me, but still when you get in this ring, you know you take your entire body in someone else's hand. People come in here to fight. With the WWF in the U.S., it's become a lot more show. It is sports entertainment. But, I almost believe that it's gone too far and become a little too showy -- its taken the fighting appeal away. I wanna fight, and I wanna see people fight. In Japan, that's what I'm gonna do. I'm either gonna take a real good ass-whoopin, or I'm gonna give a real good ass-whoopin' ... one or the other! (laughing)

ET: One thing about the WWF is they say it's a show and they know the ending. What about this? <

CHYNA: I believe in Japan, the fans and the fighters have a different mind-set and a tremendous respect for their athletes. And the fighters have a tremendous deal of pride. So, rather than walk out in a clown outfit and do some silly flips, what they're doing is very serious. Though I'm not going to say ... that we won't be able to blend in the entertainment, because I love that as well. I'm going over to a foreign country where I can't speak the language and I'm the only woman, relying on guys I've never met before who are no-holds-barred champions. I feel like I'm going to learn sooo much from them. I had six years of fantastic training in front of the camera and now I'm going to take it to the mecca of New Japan, which I believe is gonna be my biggest success.

ET: When you were with the WWF you created a character, your name was Chyna ... are you gonna create a character here?

CHYNA: I believe that New Japan would probably like to create a new character for me which I think is fun. I'm very cartoon-like in a way anyway, and I think that's part of the mystery. But basically, I'm going to go over there and show my strengths and athleticism and do my best.

ET: Have you learned any Japanese?

CHYNA: I picked up a book on one of my trips in the airport: "How to Speak Japanese in three easy lessons"! (laughing) I think I'm gonna wait a little bit before I try, because I don't wanna go over there and think I'm saying "hello" and really I'm telling everyone they're fat and ugly ... you know first impressions are everything!

ET: You're the only woman. Are you scared a little bit?

CHYNA: Of course, I am. This is a big step. This makes history and there are going to be a lot of expectations on me, and a lot of criticism from people who are watching what I'm doing. But I don't think you get anywhere in life unless you take a risk. Everything I've done has been based on taking chances. I know I'm going to go over there and it's going to work.

ET: Obviously it's a different style of wrestling...

CHYNA: Yes, it is a much different style of wrestling. The guys are not quite as showy, but you don't wanna mess with them in the side alley -- but that's what I love about them! I am going to have to adjust a little bit to what they are doing. Here are these guys who have been fighters their whole lives and they are twice as big as I am, but I went through this whole thing with the WWF before. I joined the men's fraternity. These guys beat the crap out of me on a daily basis and said 'Honey go back to the kitchen!' and I just would not quit. I can admit that I will never be as good as these guys, nor do I intend to be, but I went in there and did the best that I could. These guys are gonna show me so much more rather than things I've already learned like "be on camera" and "be on time." It's exciting to have the best teach me!