Interview Posted by B on 20th June 2001
B: In your official site's biography you discuss your childhood as the daughter of a career military man, moving from city to city and how it affected you growing up. I had a similar situation with my father, where we picked up shop and headed away from family and friends every few years. Personally, I know the time to myself helped me find out what I loved in life...art, writing, and so on. How do you think times like that helped give birth to your love of performing (through acting, sports, and music) and made you the confident person you are today?

Shannon Ward: Well, Brandon, I feel that the constant moving allowed me to become a people person. I feel that I am relatively easy to get along with, and my upbringing helped me become that way.

B: I know about you prowess on the soccer field and on the cello...growing up did you have a chance to watch any television?

S: Yes, although in Germany we only had one channel.

B: Have any big childhood entertainment memories?

S: Watching Star Wars over and over. B: Like most of us, whether we admit it or not. Anyway, what made you popular initially during your run with WCW was the creative look of your character and...screaming. Constantly. It IS impressive though...in fact, how can you scream like that day to day and not permanently damage yourself? I scream through sixty minutes of "Iron Chef" and feel like I need to hibernate.

S: Sometimes I feel a little strain on my vocal chords. I usually warm up my voice before I perform. If I don't I pay for it the next day.

B: Cool. How're things going with Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling? It's got to be a blast working on such an intimate level with guys who legitimately seem to love the business.

S: Awesome! Dusty (Rhodes, NWA/WCW/WWF legend) is great to work with. All his guys are so nice and helpful.

B: On television and off, you've got a close friendship with a very talented wrestler Chris Ford, better known to wrestling fans as Crowbar from WCW. Being inside the business as you are (and working with legends like Dusty Rhodes on a regular basis), do you feel that sports-entertainment has a "glass ceiling" that prevents talented young guys like Crowbar from reaching their full potential as entertainers and personalities?

S: Yes, and that is simply because there aren't enough spaces for everyone on TV. I definitely feel that Chris deserves a shot. He’s a great worker and he’s got great charisma. Also, during our feud with Terry Funk, he showed his awesome ability to cut a promo.

B: That's the truth, Crowbar's Gordon Solie impression still makes me laugh. For those of you who didn't get to see him perform on WCW TV, try to find some tapes of his stuff. You won't regret it. Moving on, a lot of guys, online or not, have got real issues when it comes to women. Female wrestlers like the WWF's Molly Holly (who you've worked with in WCW) are pressured to work their bodies into unrealistic proportions in an already male-dominated business. Being a naturally beautiful woman without body parts so sharp they could slice tomatoes and still go through steel, have you ever felt pressured to do or be anything that you felt uncomfortable doing or being?

S: Not really. I feel pressure to be in shape, but not to look unnatural. I give many props to Nora for her talent, her perseverance, and her look.

B: One of the big factors leading to the objectification of women and pushing of the envelope in professional wrestling was head writer Vince Russo, who left the World Wrestling Federation to "bring the WCW back from the dead." Having worked during that tumultuous time, what do you think the high and low points of working for a man like Russo were?

S: He simply had unreal expectations for us females. He wanted us to train for a few months and be seasoned wrestlers.

B: Having a background in acting, have you ever seriously thought about bringing your talents to the big screen?

S: Always.

B: We know you've got the character acting ability down pat. I've seen you wrap your legs around somebody's head and hurl them off the top rope. I've never seen Meryl Streep do that.

What can those of us who can't get out to the Turnbuckle shows do to show some support? Should we get a petition started and start setting fire to the villages?

S: Write to the WB and tell them to cast Shannon Ward as the new Wonder Woman!!!