Tara: "TNA wasn't a good fit for me. It made me appreciate WWE a lot."
Lisa Marie Varon, who worked in the WWE as Victoria and TNA as Tara, joined the VOC Wrestling Nation to promote her upcoming appearance at Legends of the Ring on 10/5/13 in Monroe, NJ, and to talk her new restaurant venture in Chicago. You can hear the entire interview at http://vocnation.com; here are some highlights of what “Victoria” had to say:
On her new restaurant, “The Squared Circle”, opening in Chicago:
This is our third restaurant. We had one in Kentucky and one in Lombard, Ill; we sold both of those and ended up coming back to Chicago. It’s not just a pizza place; we do thin crust (Chicago style), we do brick oven, New York Style, and stuffed burgers. It’s a very, very unique menu.
On the wrestling theme of her restaurant:
Our place is wrestling themed. I’m there every single night watching wrestling. I get to watch what I love, talk about my passion, eat awesome food, and mingle with the fans. Every night we have wrestling on and feature wrestling related guests. I even named a platter after Gail Kim.
On her time in TNA and whether she would return:
TNA is out of the question. It wasn’t a good fit for me. I had a great run there, but it was very different from WWE. It made me appreciate WWE a lot.
On her future in wrestling:
Never say never. I’m 42 and I’m still kicking ass and in better shape than when I was wrestling. It’s in my blood. I’m lucky that I live wrestling at my restaurant. I don’t think I’m done wrestling; I have a lot to give in terms of knowledge and helping other females.
On working in front of the same crowd each week versus working on the road:
Its apples and oranges. I enjoy going on the road and working different towns. (At TNA) the audience wanted to get more camera time (than the talent). I ended up knowing most of the fans that went there in Orlando. Performing in Madison Square Garden is surreal. I hope some of the TNA talent that has never gotten to do that gets a chance to do it.
On what’s missing with today’s female talent:
We had Fit Finlay as a trainer and agent. He made us and molded us. He got to know what made us tick, exposed that, and there was nothing we couldn’t do. Today, the girls pick and choose what moves they want to do. If Fit Finlay was around, that wouldn’t happen. We worked stiff. We made contact.
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On her new restaurant, “The Squared Circle”, opening in Chicago:
This is our third restaurant. We had one in Kentucky and one in Lombard, Ill; we sold both of those and ended up coming back to Chicago. It’s not just a pizza place; we do thin crust (Chicago style), we do brick oven, New York Style, and stuffed burgers. It’s a very, very unique menu.
On the wrestling theme of her restaurant:
Our place is wrestling themed. I’m there every single night watching wrestling. I get to watch what I love, talk about my passion, eat awesome food, and mingle with the fans. Every night we have wrestling on and feature wrestling related guests. I even named a platter after Gail Kim.
On her time in TNA and whether she would return:
TNA is out of the question. It wasn’t a good fit for me. I had a great run there, but it was very different from WWE. It made me appreciate WWE a lot.
On her future in wrestling:
Never say never. I’m 42 and I’m still kicking ass and in better shape than when I was wrestling. It’s in my blood. I’m lucky that I live wrestling at my restaurant. I don’t think I’m done wrestling; I have a lot to give in terms of knowledge and helping other females.
On working in front of the same crowd each week versus working on the road:
Its apples and oranges. I enjoy going on the road and working different towns. (At TNA) the audience wanted to get more camera time (than the talent). I ended up knowing most of the fans that went there in Orlando. Performing in Madison Square Garden is surreal. I hope some of the TNA talent that has never gotten to do that gets a chance to do it.
On what’s missing with today’s female talent:
We had Fit Finlay as a trainer and agent. He made us and molded us. He got to know what made us tick, exposed that, and there was nothing we couldn’t do. Today, the girls pick and choose what moves they want to do. If Fit Finlay was around, that wouldn’t happen. We worked stiff. We made contact.
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its not like she is the only one that thinks that. companies a joke.
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151 Posts
WWE is lightyears ahead of TNA. Problem is, all Tara did was trash WWE when she was in TNA and now goes 180. I think as a whole though TNA needs to step it up.
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27,709 Posts
Oh shit, im actually in before ppl call her bitter and a old hasbeen..
I assume it was just hard for her to go from the big leagues to TNA. She might have expected to much which probably didnt help.
I assume it was just hard for her to go from the big leagues to TNA. She might have expected to much which probably didnt help.
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21,490 Posts
probably because TNA is so ridiculously bush leauge in presentation, among other things
it's like going from the NFL to high school football
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9,884 Posts
Comments like these would be somewhat meaningful if she wasn't praising TNA and trashing WWE during her 3-4 years in TNA.
I get what she means though. WWE has more people, you probably make more money there, even if you're dancing in a banana suit and being prioritized over lesser talent. Who needs pride, afterall.
I get what she means though. WWE has more people, you probably make more money there, even if you're dancing in a banana suit and being prioritized over lesser talent. Who needs pride, afterall.
Everyone does it when they switch companies. The New Age Outlaws trashed HBK & HHH (especially HHH) and now they are suddenly buddy buddy with him again.
There's nothing wrong with apologizing for your actions and making up with someone though. Sometimes it just look suspect.
There's nothing wrong with apologizing for your actions and making up with someone though. Sometimes it just look suspect.
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9,678 Posts
I don't think TNA would want them bashing the company while they have them under contract
I will give her credit, her debut in the WWE as the psycho going after Trish Stratus really was her best development to date. The set of hardcore matches she had with Trish Stratus really made me appreciate women's wrestling. It's exactly what the WWE needs right now again.
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77 Posts
not a big fan of TNA but why this bitch stayed in TNA if she felt that way? Why did she resigned with the company back in 2010 or 2011?
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9,884 Posts
Doesn't mean you have to fake-praise or overly praise it either. In addition, her contract expired with TNA and she decided to re-sign. Nobody forced her.
Always enjoy the the 180 people take on ex-TNA talent when they leave the company and give their true feelings.
Classy
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4,961 Posts
Translation: Please take me back WWE, I need the money as TNA don't want me and my restaurant is failing.
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8,456 Posts
Always funny to read things like this. She was there for 4 years, and it wasn't 1 four years contract. Why did she kept resigning?
TNA probably proposed her less money then she expected and thats all.
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2,653 Posts
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9,678 Posts
But in all honesty, if you stay there for 4 years, with multiple re-signings, it's hard to really take you seriously when you say "it was never a good fit for me".
If she was talking a specific year like 2013 or even 2012 where she didn't fit well with the others? Fine. But as far as her 4 year stance, I wouldn't stay another 1 or 2 years if I felt that it wasn't the place for me.
If she was talking a specific year like 2013 or even 2012 where she didn't fit well with the others? Fine. But as far as her 4 year stance, I wouldn't stay another 1 or 2 years if I felt that it wasn't the place for me.
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2,117 Posts
Ugh another 'I'm happy to mooch off TNA but when I leave I'll say it sucks' interview
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