Shay Kassidy Interview (Full Video w/ Highlights In Article)
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
By Mick Robson
Patreons got this interview first, as well as all the content The Arena puts out. For early access and to support the work we put in here, check out patreon.com/thearenamedia
Note: To support and get everything early, you need to be at least on the "Nosebleed Section" tier- that's $3 USD (or $5 AUD). Less than a cup of coffee a month to help keep this thing going!
---------
This past week, I sat down with the GirlyPop Sensation sweeping the nation, Shay Kassidy!
The reigning MCW, SLAM Pro Wrestling League and Integrity Women's Champion had a lot to say about championships, her career to date, and the monumental task coming up on July 4th at PWA's King of the Metro, entering the Rumble at the most difficult position- #1.
The following are a few highlights!
On being champion at various promotions:
SK: "It's very... crazy. Every time I've won each belt that I have, I've just been like, "this is just so interesting". I'm very grateful that the companies and promoters just have the trust and faith in me to hold the title and make it mean something. It's a very rewarding feeling."
On her growing confidence and "flipping the switch":
SK: "I had that moment I think last year. When we first started doing the Backslide Girlz, which was that first switch of my character from that emo Shay to the girly pop Shay, you can probably tell when you're watching those matches that I'm very much not in my element and very, like, I feel out of place and I probably look it as well."
"But last year, I feel was just a big pivot for me in my confidence. Especially when we versed the Velocities at King of the Metro last year, I wrestled Robbie Eagles last July, which was a pretty crazy couple of months because I just had big match, big match. So I kinda had to have that confidence."
MR: "It's kinda sink or swim at that point, right?"
SK: "Yeah, especially facing the Velocities, the best tag team in Australia, one of the best tag teams in the world, so we really had to hold our own, as the Backslide Girlz and also just as individuals. It's truly been a big discovery, like a coming of age."
On Kingsley going overseas:
SK: "It did force me to go, alright, you need to do this on your own. It was a case of, I knew she was leaving, so I needed to prepare myself to be a solo act. Probably six months before she left, I knew she was leaving, so I had to really lock in on promos and wrestling and my character work so it wouldn't be like, she goes and I go "oh well, I don't know what to do now."
On being #1 in the PWA King of the Metro Rumble:
SK: "I'm really concerned about the music, the entrance song. That could be the make or break because if that's not the vibe, it could ruin everything. I've got to set the tone. My good friend Tuckman came in last year at #1 and won it, so it's not impossible. I'm just going to go in there and read the vibes, and based off that, I know I could win."
On the Backslide Girlz training at Lodestone with WWE stars like Bayley and CM Punk:
SK: "We walked in and sitting on the ring was CM Punk. He stayed for like 2 hours, he was lovely. He was wonderful, answering so many questions."
MR: "Any pearls of wisdom that you could share that CM Punk gave?"
SK: "He did talk about wrestling on the fly. Which I feel like doesn't happen as much or as often as it used to. But he basically said, you go out in front of a crowd of 20, 200, 2000, sometimes you just go out there and call it. And I was just like, "wow, such a fun concept. And there's been moments recently, where I just do things in the moment responding to the crowd, and just went "Yeah that was good. Punk would be so proud of me!"
MR: I did see an Instagram post where Bayley mentioned the Backslide Girlz by name. How did it feel seeing that little shoutout?
SK: "We were just very excited and very grateful because the whole day she was really kind to us and, yeah, that's an honorary Backslide Girl. I think we were just like little gremlins to her all day. Two Australians with really Aussie accents, it rubs off. I think you grow to love it eventually. And I think Bayley does love us and is obsessed with us."
Inspirations:
SK: My top female wrestler was always Lita growing up. I loved her style, I loved her coolness. My first couple of gears were baggy pants just based off her, like "Hello Lita." And Shawn Michaels, my all time favourite ever. Watching his stuff... I was watching Survivor Series 2003, Team Austin and Team Bischoff. I was losing my mind. Watching any Shawn Michaels match gets me hyped up.
Future Goals:
SK: I want to get a contract, man! I want to work for WWE. I'm always trying to think of ways to get closer to that. And I think I am. Gotta keep working, gotta keep striving. Can't stop, won't stop me. Don't even try, because you won't.
--------------- Shay gets into much more detail in her career and topics such as being over in Perth for WWE Crown Jewel, King of the Metro predictions, and much more in the full interview! Watch it all here:
Comments